A new city website is aiming to keep New York City kids busy — and out of trouble — this summer by connecting them with free and low-cost activities in their own neighborhoods.
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“Summer in NYC” website allows families to search for hundreds of programs across the five boroughs by age, interest and location. City leaders say the goal is to give young people positive outlets as temperatures rise and schools let out for the summer.
Users can visit the website, select an age range using a sliding scale, type in their neighborhood and browse activities ranging from sports and movies to outdoor events and nature walks.
The initiative comes as city officials continue looking for ways to reduce youth violence and large disorderly gatherings during the summer months. Earlier this year, hundreds of teens flooded Bay Plaza along Bartow Avenue in what participants called a “teen takeover,” leaving several businesses damaged.
The city hopes the new website can help steer kids and teens away from violence by making it easier to find safe spaces and organized activities during the summer break.
In a statement, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “Too often, we tell young people what not to do — but don’t tell them what they should do.”
The website is designed to help connect kids and teens with programs they will be excited about while also strengthening community engagement during the summer months, the city said.
Meanwhile, the NYPD says thousands of additional officers will also be deployed across the city this summer as part of broader efforts to curb violence and keep neighborhoods safe.