Seven miles of streets in Manhattan were closed today to make way for a giant slide and zipline, among other things. It's all part of the city's Summer Streets program. Our Michael Scotto has the story.
Yes, that is a waterslide right in the middle of Centre Street, a 300-foot waterslide, to be exact.
"Not only is it a waterslide — it's a bouncy house waterslide," said one slider. "It's so much fun."
For several hours Saturday, seven miles of streets were closed to car traffic — from the Upper East Side to the Brooklyn Bridge — to make way for the ninth annual Summer Streets, an outdoor festival that turns Manhattan into a giant amusement park.
People were biking and running, and of course getting wet.
"The atmosphere is so fun," said city Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "It's a chance for people to experience the streets you don't usually get to because there are cars in the way."
With the Olympics just kicking off, there was a chance for people to test their skills against some of the world's fastest sprinters.
Olympian Allyson Felix can run this track in 2.4 seconds. I was just a bit slower, coming in at a sluggish 3.5 seconds.
This guy was much better.
"I'm pretty sure a lot more people will beat me," he said.
So, I'm totally afraid of heights, but they say one of the highlights here is this 90-foot long zip line across 53rd Street. Let's give it a try.
This woman took the plunge not long after I did.
Question: Were you nervous?
"Extremely," she said. "I felt it in my stomach. I was nervous too. I'm afraid of heights."
If all those activities made you tired, there was a makeshift beach to put up your feet — and imagine the city was some far off destination. Summer Streets will continue for the next two Saturdays.
Summer Streets will resume on two upcoming Saturdays.
For more info, visit the Summer Streets NYC website.