NYPD Outlines Security and Other Key Details for Balloon Inflation and Thanksgiving Day Parade Events

November 27, 2019

NYPD Outlines Security and Other Key Details for Balloon Inflation and Thanksgiving Day Parade Events
Heavy Traffic Anticipated Street Closures Planned. Public Strongly Encouraged to Use Mass Transit.

The New York Police Department outlined today security measures and other important details for the 2019 Thanksgiving balloon inflation and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Department executives also urged the use of public transportation to avoid gridlock and help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. A traffic advisory with a list of street closures is included below.

There is no specific, credible threat to public safety at this time. The security overlay for these events includes: thousands of NYPD officers in uniform and plainclothes; personnel from the Intelligence Bureau and the Counterterrorism Bureau as well as specialized units, such as the Emergency Service Unit (ESU), the Strategic Response Group (SRG), the Critical Response Command (CRC) and the Technical Assistance & Response Unit (TARU). The department will also deploy explosive detection K9s, radiation detectors, and drone interdiction technology. Blocker vehicles, including Department of Sanitation sand and collection trucks, are also part of the security overlay..

"The annual balloon inflation and Thanksgiving Day Parade are among our city's finest traditions," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "Thousands of highly-trained members of the NYPD – from patrol to our many specialized units – will be strategically deployed to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators. And while there are no specific, credible threats directed at these events, or at New York City in general, we're reminding everyone that public safety is a shared responsibility. If anyone sees or hears anything that makes them uncomfortable, they should tell a police officer, call 911, or contact our toll-free counterterrorism hotline at 888-NYC-SAFE."

The balloon inflation will take place on Wednesday, November 27th, 2019, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Spectators may enter the queue at West 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route. Once screened, spectators will enter the inflation viewing area at West 74th Street and Central Park West. The balloon viewing path flows around the American Museum of Natural History. Spectators exit the viewing area at West 81st Street and Central Park West.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 28th, 2019, and will step off from Central Park West and 77th Street at 9 a.m. The procession marches to Columbus Circle, turns onto Central Park South and proceeds down 6th Avenue to West 34th Street. It then turns west and ends at West 34th Street and 7th Avenue, at Macy's Herald Square.

Heavy traffic conditions are expected, and there will be rolling street closures in Manhattan, so mass transit is strongly encouraged. No large backpacks, lawn chairs, umbrellas, large coolers or alcoholic beverages will be allowed at these events.

Traffic Advisory

Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 – Gridlock Alert Day (balloon inflation)

At 7 a.m. West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic.

At 8 a.m. West 73rd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Additional vehicular traffic closures at noon are as follows:

Central Park West from West 73rd to 85th Streets
West 74th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 75th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 76th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 77th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 78th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 80th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 81st Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 82nd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 83rd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 84th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 85th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
Central Park Transverse Road at Central Park West and West 81 St. (both directions)

After 10 p.m., West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue as well as Central Park West from West 59th Street to West 86th Street will be closed to all traffic. "Broadcast vehicles only" may park beginning at 9 a.m. on the east side of Columbus Avenue from West 77th Street to West 76th Street. All Broadcast Vehicles must be off Columbus Avenue by 11:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 28th, 2019 (Thanksgiving Day Parade)

Formation for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. at the following locations:

West 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
West 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
Central Park West between West 77th and 86th Streets

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. from Central Park West and West 77th Street and proceed on the following route:

South on Central Park West to Columbus Circle
South through E/S Columbus Circle to West 59th Street
East on West 59th Street to 6th Avenue
South on 6th Avenue to West 34th Street
West on West 34th Street to 7th Avenue (dispersal area)

Additional closures are as follows:

Broadway between West 34th Street and West 40th Street- Midnight to 1 p.m.
6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 42nd Street – 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.
7th Avenue from West 34th Street and West 42nd Street - 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 10 p.m. (Wed) to 5 p.m.
West 59th Street E/B between 7th Avenue and Central Park West – Midnight to 2 p.m.
West 59th Street W/B between 5th Avenue and Central Park West – 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
West 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 8th Avenue between 34th Street and 40th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Broadway between 38th Street and 59th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads 7 a.m. until conclusion

Please note: From 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. vehicles will not be able to access:

6th Avenue between West 33rd and West 59th Street
8th Avenue between West 57th Street and West 59th Street
8th Avenue between West 33rd and West 40th Streets
Broadway between West 59th Street and West 57th Street
Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries)
West 42nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
West 57th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue

Media Parking (broadcast vehicles only)

Members of the press will be permitted to park "broadcast vehicles only" on any street crossing the parade route with the following exceptions:

76th Street and formation area north of 76th Street
72nd Street (NYPD Operational Needs)
65th and West 66th Streets (emergency vehicle crossing)
62nd and West 61st Streets (NYPD Operational Needs)
Columbus Circle
58th Street (pedestrian crossing)
57th Street (emergency vehicle crossing)
52nd Street (pedestrian crossing)
50th Street (emergency vehicle crossing)
49th Street (emergency vehicle crossing)
48th Street (pedestrian crossing)
44th Street (pedestrian crossing)
40th and 41st Streets (pedestrian/emergency vehicle crossing)
39th Street (pedestrian crossing)
37th Street (pedestrian crossing)
South of 37th Street (Macy's/NBC Parade Operations – Permit Issued)

There will also be no parking in crosswalk buffer zones on the side streets along the entire parade route. Posted parking regulations will also be enforced. Members of the media are reminded that NYPD press credentials must be worn fully exposed at all times when the bearer is at or within police lines.

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