Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times Pedestrians and cyclists enjoyed the absence of cars on a roadway in Central Park on Sunday. A new weekday ban on cars on many park roads takes effect Monday.Something is missing from much of Central Park this morning: cars.
The city has banned them on weekdays north of 72nd Street on the two roadways that run north and south through the park. The ban, which begins Monday, lasts through Labor Day.
While you can now walk, run or bike more freely in the park, you do run the risk today, in the park and all across the city, of being asked to sign a petition to put former Gov. Eliot Spitzer on the ballot for city comptroller.
Mr. Spitzer, who announced his candidacy Sunday, plans to flood the streets with workers today ahead of a Thursday deadline.
Here’s what else you need to know to start your Monday.
WEATHER
Not quite as hot, but still pretty darn hot, and humid, too, with a high near 90 and a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Bring an umbrella.The city’s cooling centers remain open.
TRANSIT & TRAFFIC
- Roads: [5:51] O.K. so far, 1010 WINS reports. Alternate-side parking rules are in effect.
- Mass Transit: [5:51] The N and R are running over the Q track from DeKalb Avenue to Prince Street because of track work. Click for the latest status.
COMING UP TODAY
- On the campaign trail, Anthony D. Weiner will announce tax incentives for bike commuters. Christine C. Quinn will call for reducing fines at restaurant inspections.
- Eliot Spitzer will speak live on the Bill Press show at 6:45 a.m. and on Brian Lehrer on WNYC at 10:25 a.m. and greet voters at Union Square at noon. NY1 will broadcast an interview with him at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
- Mayor Bloomberg will announce a program to connect young probation clients to Hurricane Sandy recovery projects.
- “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory†screens at sunset in Bryant Park.
- There is free kayaking, organized by the Downtown Boathouse, at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park this evening and every weekday evening through August from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Will pretzel bacon become the new Cronut? You may find out when Nick Lachey, the ex boy-band frontman and Simpson spouse, rolls out Wendy’s newest product at a Wendy’s on West 34th Street.
- It’s opening night of the New York Musical Theater Festival.
- Illustrator James Gulliver Hancock will talk about his project to draw every building in New York City (he’s up to about 500, out of 900,000) and read from his book “All the Buildings in New York: That I’ve Drawn So Far†in Brooklyn Bridge Park at 7 p.m.
- For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
Sarah Maslin Nir contributed reporting.
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