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Large Turnout For NYC's First Summer Streets Event

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets, from Park Avenue at 72nd Street down to Washington Square Park all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge, were shut down to traffic Saturday for this year's first Summer Streets event.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports

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Claire Dorothy of Brooklyn told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck that the event was liberating.

"It's wonderful. It's just exciting to be able to ride through the streets and not have to worry about the cars," she said.

"I can't wait to come back next week. It's nice and empty and it's really a free feeling to be able to ride through this beautiful city," she added.

CBS 2's Katie Fehlinger was in SoHo, sampling the outdoor fare, and found out what it's like to go rock climbing on asphalt.

"There's so much going on down here. I'm having a blast. I'm going to hang out after the broadcast and just do everything because there's so much fun stuff to do," she said.

"Summer Streets takes a valuable public space - our City's streets - and opens them up to people to play, walk, bike, and breathe. Summer Streets provides more space for healthy recreation and is a part of NYC's greening initiative by encouraging New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation," according to the Department of Transportation.

This year's other two Summer Streets events will be held on August 13 and 20.

For more information, click here.

Are you a fan of the Summer Streets events? Sound off in our comments section below…

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