There is a lot of stuff going on the City, and we can't write about it all. Here are some interesting things some of our friends have written up lately.

• Bklyner ⇒ 'Sun's Out, Fun's Out!' Celebrate the Start of Summer at Coney Island
• Brokelyn ⇒ FREE: Last Weekend to Catch a Midsummer Night's Dream in Carroll Park
• Brooklyn Based ⇒ The Total Park Slope Immersion July 28
• Chelsea Now ⇒ You Complete Me: Architects Discuss Hudson Yards’ Interactivity
• Curbed NY ⇒ Subway Delays Disproportionately Affect Low-Income New Yorkers, Says Study
• Daytonian in Manhattan ⇒ Chas. R. Behren's 1892 54-56 Franklin Street
• EV Grieve ⇒ City Planning Commission OKs Tech Hub for Union Square
• Eater NY ⇒ A Monster Chili Cheese Dog in UWS — and Other Cheap Eats
• Gothamist ⇒ 1930s Beachside Art Deco Bathhouse Reopens in Jacob Riis Park
• Greenpointers ⇒ Thursday Spotlight: Meet Kweighbaye Kotee, Founder and CEO of Bushwick Film Festival - Greenpointers
• LIC Post ⇒ City Officially Celebrates Opening of Phase 2 of Waterfront Park | LIC Post
• Serious Eats ⇒ The Best Spice Shops in NYC
• Streetsblog New York City ⇒ Common Sense Wins: CB 12 Approves Plaza for Haven Avenue in Washington Heights
• The Real Deal New York ⇒ Midtown Is the Sixth Priciest Office Market in the World
• Thrillist ⇒ Nightlife Lifeguards: How Your Bartender Is Saving Lives in NYC
• Tribeca Citizen ⇒ The Birth of Battery Park City
• Untapped Cities ⇒ 10 of the Best Secluded Gardens in Manhattan

The MTA is phasing out the #MetroCard in favor of a tap-based fare system similar to those found in London, San Francisco and Boston.

Instead of swiping and re-swiping (and sometimes swiping a third time) to get through a turnstile, #subway riders will be able to tap a proprietary smart card, smartphone or bank card against a new fare reader, also called a “validator.” The new contactless fare payment system will also be rolled out on the MTA’s buses.

Here is everything we know, so far, about the MetroCard’s phaseout, its replacement and more.

When will the MetroCard be phased out?

The MetroCard won’t be completely phased out until July 2023. A gradual phaseout of the card’s use is planned to start in May 2019, when the MTA’s tap-based replacement will be introduced along certain subway and bus routes.

Out of the 1,900 public parks scattered across the city, Washington Square Park is one of the most famous ones. The park, which over time became enveloped by NYU's various academic and residential facilities, is now a frequent hanging spot for students. Aside from students, on any given day you'll find artists, musicians, and families (and their furry companions!) make use of the park.