These streets are for playing at Summer Playstreets Program

Brooklyn children can safely take to the streets this summer, thanks to the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) 2015 Summer Playstreets Program.

PAL is launching the annual program in Brooklyn on July 6 this summer. The program closes off streets and other public areas, like playgrounds and parks, to provide safe places for children to learn and play.

The Playstreets, which are free for all children, will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until August 21. Playstreets offer activities like sports, arts and crafts, music and games along with other featured activities, like Double Dutch jump rope, Hopscotch, Nok Hockey and basketball.

New York City’s PAL was the first civilian-run PAL in the country, founded in 1914. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization, and it provides recreational, cultural, educational and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually. This year marks PAL’s 101st year of operation.

“I, as the new executive director, think it stood the test of time,” said Frederick Watts. “We bring [Playstreets] to where the kids are, and by doing that, we create safe places for kids to learn and grow.”

Aside from operating over 40 Playstreets throughout the five boroughs, PAL is also offering Cops & Kids teams and close to 20 summer day camps. Children will be able to play traditional sidewalk games, develop their creativity through the arts, and learn from a wide range of educational, recreational and cultural arts specialists.

This summer, Brooklyn’s Playstreets will be at 61st Street between 4th and 5th Avenues, the Brownsville Houses at 307 Blake Avenue, the Linden Houses at 630 Stanley Ave., Marlboro Playground at Avenue W and West 11th Street, Kelly Playground between Avenue S and East 15th Street, Fox Playground between East 52nd Street and Avenue H, Renaldo Salgado Park on Madison Street behind P.S. 309, Alice Branch Family Shelter at 1040 East New York Avenue and Glenwood Shelter at 4612 Glenwood Road. For more information, go to www.palnyc.org.

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