Check out the colorful new pedestrian plaza in Washington Heights

"Washington Heights just got even more colorful. The city cut the ribbon on the new Audubon Plaza, an almost 11,000 square foot pedestrian zone between 165th and 166th Streets that has transformed a once ordinary stretch of Audubon Avenue into a bright, bustling public hangout. The highlight is De Lo Mio, a sweeping asphalt mural by local artist Talisa Almonte. It's a tribute to Dominican culture, and in Washington Heights that means it's also a tribute to the community itself."

"The work pulls from Liliana Mera Limé's iconic Muñeca Sin Rostro and threads in plátanos, dominoes and the warm patterns tied to kitchens, living rooms and sidewalk tables from Santo Domingo to St. Nicholas Avenue. The plaza is stocked with tables and chairs, books, bike corrals and open space that will play host to everything from pop-up classes to weekend domino tournaments."

"On opening day, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called Audubon Plaza a community hub. "Public art enlivens our shared spaces to be places of connection and joy, and Audubon Plaza stands as testament to the transformative power of Open Streets in celebrating neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, and making our streets safer," he said during the ribbon cutting event. The bold, playful mural also marks a milestone for the city as the 151st public art installation completed under the current administration."

Audubon Plaza is an almost 11,000-square-foot pedestrian zone on Audubon Avenue between 165th and 166th Streets that replaced a traffic lane with a year-round public space. The plaza features De Lo Mio, a sweeping asphalt mural by Talisa Almonte honoring Dominican culture through references to Liliana Mera Limé's Muñeca Sin Rostro, plátanos, dominoes, and domestic patterns. The space includes tables, chairs, books, bike corrals, and open areas designed for pop-up classes, community gatherings, and weekend domino tournaments. The plaza builds on the Open Streets program, supports local businesses, and increases pedestrian space in the neighborhood.

Read at Time Out New York