The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with Westfield, kicked off an autumn celebration of food, culture and entertainment at the World Trade Center campus. Aptly named “Oculus Outdoors,” this event series features outdoor movie screenings, retail activations, a bike valet and family-friendly activities.
During weekends in October, visitors can experience Oculus Outdoors on Oculus Plaza, a public plaza underneath the wings of the Oculus on Fulton Street between Church Street and Greenwich Street. On Sunday, October 25, arts and crafts will be provided to families from 1 pm to 4 pm for spacious outdoor fun. The next outdoor movie screening weekend will feature The Goonies on Friday, October 30 and The Nightmare Before Christmas on Saturday, October 31.A full listing of weekend movies and activities and how to reserve a private pod may be found on Eventbrite.
The World Trade Center campus will also welcome the new Oculus Beer Garden in partnership with Westfield and Legends. The secure outdoor space was built with two shipping containers adjacent to the 2 World Trade Center Mural Project. The Oculus Beer Garden will offer expansive views of the campus and include a 5,000 square foot outdoor walk-up area that maintains physical distancing for all guests.
“The men and women of the Port Authority know well that in times of crisis, community is what matters most. So many individuals and families across our region are looking for fun and safe activities to do this fall, and we’re proud to welcome them to the Port Authority’s own backyard,” said Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Through careful planning, increased safety measures and the cooperation of our partners and vendors, Oculus Outdoors will be a safe destination for all.”
“Come one, come all to the hottest new attraction in lower Manhattan, the Oculus Outdoors fall festival with COVID-19 safety protocols in effect,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “The Port Authority is pleased to partner with Westfield to bring a safe and exciting array of outdoor activities, crafts and open-air film screenings to the World Trade Center campus.”
Oculus Outdoors is part of the Port Authority’s commitment to safely expand on its dynamic community events programming at the World Trade Center campus. Earlier this year, as part of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s 2020 River to River Festival in partnership with Westfield, Mona Chalabi’s 100 New Yorkers art exhibit launched across 22 digital screens in the Oculus. On display until the end of November, Chalabi used census data to visualize 100 characters based on New York City’s diverse community.
In September, Eataly NYC Downtown opened Il Patio di Eataly on Cortlandt Way, a pedestrian street between 3 World Trade Center and 4 World Trade Center. Following health and safety protocols for guests and employees, the outdoor seating is open daily from 12 pm to 8 pm, with the restaurant offering authentic Italian cuisine.
Oculus Safety Measures During Pandemic
To ensure that all visitors and employees have a safe and enjoyable experience on campus, the Port Authority has implemented stringent safety measures – from mandatory mask wearing to enhanced cleaning and safety procedures:
- When building the Oculus, the site was equipped with a state-of-the-art, multi-layered air filtration system that uses High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can filter 99.97 percent of all airborne particles.
- World Trade Center staff and contractors thoroughly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the Oculus on a regular basis using EPA-approved and CDC-endorsed disinfectants.
- Visitors to the transportation hub will notice newly installed floor decals and hear recorded announcements offering reminders to practice physical distancing at staircases, escalators and elevator cabs as part of the safety program.
- 26 touchless hand-sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the Oculus.
For more information on the Oculus Outdoors schedule of events, ticketing, or health and safety practices, visit officialworldtradecenter.com/oculusoutdoors.
