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Its time for some fun with summer playstreets!

June 27, 2013 Editorial Staff

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo

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What better way to spend your summer days than out and about playing sports in the streets of Brooklyn?

Thanks to Summer Playstreets, hosted by the Police Athletic League (PAL), kids can enjoy a variety of outdoor summer activities throughout New York City, starting on July 8, providing them with safe, supervised places to run around, including 61^st Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues in Sunset Park.

Not all kids have the opportunity to go out and play Hopscotch or get wet with the fire hydrant, said Alana Sweeny, executive director of the league, who added, They should experience the freedom to do what kids do.

Playstreetswhich includes 10 locations in our boroughwere meant to create a safe place where kids can be kids and play in the streets in the company of role models, explained Sweeny.

Organized for the 99^th year since 1914, the program hires and trains professionals to provide stimulating athletic and education programming in a relaxed setting.

Playstreets offer sports, arts and crafts, games, music and dance, at no cost and without the need for parents to be on hand to supervise. Kids can be exposed to outdoor games like Double Dutch jump rope, Nok Hockey and basketball.

This year, due to a partnership with cyclekids, the attending youths also have the opportunity to ride a bike, learn about bike safety and experience the thrill of riding in an open street, unheard of to many youngsters in Brooklyn, noted Sweeny.

Children who are interested will also receive specialized soccer training.

Operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brooklyn Playstreets include not only the Sunset Park location but also: Kelly Playground, at Avenue S and East 15^th Street; Fox Playground, at East 52^nd Street and Avenue H; Our Lady of Solace Church, 2866 West 17^th Street; Kaiser Park, between Neptune and Bayview Avenues, from West 24^th to West 32^nd Street; Rewald Salgada Park, on Madison Street behind P.S 309between Patchen and Ralph Avenues; Mellet Park, on Avenue V between East 13^th and East 14^th Streets; Paerdegat Park, on Foster Avenue between Farragut Road and East 40^th Street; Parham Playground, on Adelphi Street, between Dekalb and Willoughby Avenues; and Rodney Park North, at South Fifth Street and Marcy Avenue.

Enjoy the summer!