UPPER WEST SIDE — A group that's been working to transform a stretch of sidewalk into a public plaza like those in Times Square and TriBeCa is hosting an event this Saturday to sell residents on the idea.
The group Friends of Stryker Park is adding tables, chairs and tents to the northwest corner of West 97th Street at Columbus Avenue as a way of showing residents what a public plaza along the entire block between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues could feel like.
The One Day Public Plaza, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, is co-sponsored by the Department of Transportation, which is supplying 75 chairs and 30 bistro tables similar to those in other public plazas, according to Friends of Stryker Park co-founder Bob Leonard.
"The big goal is just to demonstrate that the space can be made into something nicer and greener," he said. "We’re trying to create a public amenity."
The event will also feature live music from John Sea, with sets for kids and adults, as well as performances by violinists from the Bloomingdale School of Music.
Whole Foods has coordinated with vendors from Radicle Farm to provide salads and with Red Jacket Orchards to supply free juices. The nearby Earth Cafe will contribute free pastries and Starbucks will provide coffee, Leonard said.
Members of the group will also talk through their idea and show diagrams of the plan.
"We want to create awareness and excitement and get some feedback — what do you want to see here? What don’t you want to see?" Leonard explained.
The group hopes the event will generate more support, which will help as it applies to the DOT's public plaza program this fall or at it seeks outside funding. As of now, the group is open to pursuing both options, Leonard noted.
Listen to DNAinfo's interview with the founders of Friends of Stryker Park: