The city has announced road closures in Prospect Park aimed at keeping vehicles out of the area.

The Department of Transportation will close the entrance and exit at Third Street and the exit-only roadway at 16th Street. Officials hope the closures reduce conflicts between motor vehicles and pedestrians crossing the street on their way to and from the park.

While many local residents agree that the park should be free of cars, others argue against the closures.

"I use this entrance for everything, and I was distressed when they closed it to entrances because this is much more convenient to me personally," says Beck Young. "I think it's a good compromise if they have it opened to cars four hours a day and the rest of the time closed."

Some people are concerned that the road closures will divert cars to the roundabout at Park Circle - an area already choked with traffic. However, the city estimates that only 40 cars per hour will head toward the circle.

The DOT says the closures will go into effect by the end of April. A traffic meeting will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at John Jay High School to discuss the upcoming changes.