Senator Serrano Fights To Ensure Full Pathway Access For Aids Walk NY

Senator Serrano and Senator Brad Hoylman co-authored a letter addressed to Mayor Bill de Blasio urging him to allow the AIDS Walk to continue to utilize the entire roadway in Central Park. Since 1992, The AIDS Walk has used the same route to accommodate the 30,000 people that participate from around the world every year. AIDS Walk participants, including elderly people and small children, consistently use all lanes along the Central Park route for the duration of the event. 

Placing the walkers in direct contact with bicycles that often exceed 25-30 miles per hour would be hazardous and irresponsible. Moreover, it would restrict participant access to restroom facilities and hydration and result in extended street closures due to the event's longer duration. Limited road access would also hinder the event's ability to raise critical funds by overcrowding and slowing progress along the route. It is for these reasons that Senator Serrano and his colleagues requested that the city preserve the tradition by having the route remain unchanged for the annual walk. The letter also garnered the support of New York State Senators Liz Krueger, Gustavo Rivera, Dan Squadron and Jesse Hamilton, AIDS Walk organizers and GMHC. 

Click here to read the full letter.