By Nicole Bode and Tom Liddy
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN — Foley Square looked more like Manhattan Beach Saturday as artists built an intricate sandcastle there as part of the city's Summer Streets program.
Andy Gertler, costar of the Travel Channel's "Sand Masters" and Greg Askins, master castle carver deftly carved the giant, dragon-themed creation just steps from the city's famed courthouses as onlookers watched intently. Nearby there were sandboxes for people to play in.
For the fourth year in a row, the city closed off a series of streets to cars in an attempt to make Manhattan more pedestrian and cyclist friendly.
This year's route stretches from East 72nd Street to Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, following Park Avenue, Lafeyette Street, and Fourth Avenue.
Along the way, bicyclists enjoyed the empty path, as did pedestrians. Residents could partake in free bike and Rollerblade rentals, rock climbing, storytelling classes and even a guacamole-making lesson.
In SoHo, white tents were set up where cyclists could get their bikes repaired and stages were set up elsewhere for performances.
In Astor Place, people were dancing and the light posts were covered in fuzzy twist ties.
At major intersections, including Houston Street, workers were stationed with stop signs to ensure that pedestrians and cyclists made it safely across.
Elsewhere, the streets were closed by the NYPD. Along the route are five rest stops - Uptown, Midtown, Astor Pl, SoHo and Foley Square.
The program is in effect for the next two Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
