Bay Ridge

Summer Stroll on 3rd set to move north

Pedestrian plaza to be located between Bay Ridge Ave. and 80th St.

August 4, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Summer Stroll on 3rd will bring music to the northern end of Third Avenue in Bay Ridge on Friday night. Last year, pedestrians enjoyed many musical groups, including this jazz trio. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas
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Fresh from the success of its first two Summer Stroll on 3rd events in July, which drew hundreds of thousands of people to Bay Ridge, the Merchants of Third Avenue business group is looking north this week.

The third installment of Summer Stroll on 3rd will take place this Friday, Aug. 7, a little farther north on Third Avenue, between Bay Ridge Avenue (69th Street) and 80th Street, from 6 to 10 p.m. The events held earlier this summer took place on the southern end of the avenue, between 80th and 90th streets.

Those strolls were a smashing success, according to Bob Howe, president of the Merchants of Third Avenue. This year marks the fourth annual Summer Stroll on 3rd event. The Merchants organization has been the main sponsor of the Bay Ridge happening since the program began in 2012.

Howe said he’s looking forward to the Aug. 7 Summer Stroll. “We hope to build on the excitement that we generated on the southern end of the avenue,” he told the Brooklyn Eagle on Monday.

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On Aug. 7, pedestrians will have an 11-block stretch of Third Avenue all to themselves — no cars allowed. Families and individuals can leisurely stroll down the avenue and take in live performances by music and theater groups, including everything from Regina Opera to barbershop quartets, pick up great bargains at sales courtesy of the avenue’s storeowners and stop to eat under the stars at one of many outdoor cafes along the Summer Stroll route.

The idea is to allow people to enjoy the ambiance of warm summer nights, Howe said.

“Bay Ridge residents love the idea and are looking forward to it,” How told the Eagle. “We anticipate people enjoying the entertainment options, the dining options and the shopping options.”

Summer Stroll on 3rd is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Weekend Walks series of outdoor, pedestrian-friendly events across the city.

The Merchants of Third Avenue got permission from DOT to host four Summer Strolls. The business group opted to hold two in July and two in August.

The final Summer Stroll for 2015 will take place on Friday, Aug. 14, also on Third Avenue between Bay Ridge Avenue and 80th Street from 6 to 10 p.m.

State Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn) and Councilmember Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) are also Summer Stroll on 3rd sponsors.


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