PHOTOS: Summer Streets 2012 Kicks Off in New York City!

This weekend was the official kickoff of New York City's <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/summerstreets/html/home/home.shtml">Summer Streets</a> event in Manhattan and we were on the scene snapping pics of all of the exciting activities. The fifth annual free event takes place on 3 Saturdays in August (the next ones will be on the 11th, and the 18th), and sees seven miles of Manhattan's streets closed down to cars, allowing the New Yorkers to play, run, walk, bike and even <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/summer-streets-will-bring-zip-lining-and-more-to-nyc-this-weekend/">zipline</a>! Check out our photos of this vibrant summer event by clicking through our photo gallery.

Bikers could learn quick tips on bike repair and NYC's "Bike Habitat" was providing free expert bike repair.

The GoGo squeeZ Mobile Playground at Foley Square provides hours of free fun for kids.

Are you as fit as a Fifth grader? Foley Square provided many fitness tests to see how fit you are.

Each rest stop throughout the route was full of events from 7am-1pm.

Summer Streets runs from Central Park all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Whole Foods provided an outside picnic area at the Midtown rest stop.

The Whole Foods Market City Picnic area was full of free snacks to keep you hydrated and cool.

In addition to cooling down with the free ice cream, the Whole Foods Picnic Area also had one booth that gave you a cute plant to take home.

Stopping off at the Astor Street rest stop allowed participants a chance to take some quick fitness classes from real Crunch instructors.

Crunch's fitness classes at Astor Street also provided tips on how to properly stretch after your workout.

The event brought out many families.

Staying cool along the route was essential, since it was 90 degrees out. This little cute lemonade stand in SOHO donated all of its profits to "Autism Speaks."

The zip line in Foley Square was one of the highlights. Make sure you get there early, since the spots are limited.

A quick dance session in Foley Square entertained kids and adults.

Summer Streets provides space for healthy recreation.

This little hose was set up at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge to keep everyone cool.

Summer Streets encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation.

Nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, walk, bike, and breathe.

Nearly seven miles of NYC’s streets are opened for people to play, walk, bike, and breathe.

Even the family pet was welcome at the Whole Foods picnic area.