#De Blasio announces opening of summer youth program, kids’ activities

The city is launching its summer youth employment program Monday, as well as other activities for kids who have been “cooped up” amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday.

“Every summer we do a lot to help our young people have a better summer,” de Blasio said as he announced that this year’s “Summer Bridge” employment program — which was delayed due to the health crisis — will begin Monday.

The employment program will provide 35,000 young Big Apple residents between the ages of 14 and 24 with workplace experiences.

Additionally, the city will bring back its “Play Streets Program” that allows communities to open up neighborhood streets so school-age children can partake in recreational activities.

“That is going to be an important step forward,” de Blasio said of the program.

On the “Play Streets,” there will be sports, activities and crafts for youngsters including basketball, Frisbee, softball, Wiffle ball, giant board games, reading corners and dance classes.

“A lot of great activities,” Hizzoner said, adding, “We’re going to do it a little differently” to abide by social distancing rules.

The mayor explained that there will be a “touch-less obstacle course for the age of COVID.”

“It’s still going to give kids a lot of fun and a lot of exercise and it’s still going to be great for them,” he said.

De Blasio also announced that 1½ more miles of new open streets will open across the city Friday.