Released June 5, 2009

Contact: Rob Sadowsky, Active Transportation Alliance
312.427.3325 x228
773.575.1933 mobile
rob@activetrans.org
Photos available

Families and fun replace cars along eight miles of Chicago streets Aug. 1 for Open Streets!

See what it’s like when streets are filled with people, becoming your playground.

In the morning and early afternoon on Saturday, Aug. 1, Open Streets will give friends and families the chance to enjoy the streets the way they want: biking, dancing, playing, walking and more!

The free event combines last year’s two Sunday Parkways events into one, huge eight-mile event. Like last year, Open Streets will span from Logan Square to Little Village, passing through Humboldt Park, North Lawndale and Garfield Park along the way.

There is no event registration, and participants can join in at any point along the route.

“Open Streets is an opportunity to celebrate communities, encourage healthy, physically active lifestyles and encourage transportation choices that benefit the environment in a safe setting,”
said Active Trans Executive Director Rob Sadowsky. “What people are really going to get is a morning of fun and exercise.”

Take a step off the route at any of the community-run activity stations. The lively scenes will display each community’s flavor with performances, children’s games, art activities, workout classes, music and much more.

“We had a tremendous turnout last year – 10,000 people came out to enjoy their streets in a multitude of fun and active ways,” said Lucy Gomez, Health Organizer at the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. “We are hoping 35,000 people will come out: old. young, families, friends, walking groups, church and community groups and play in their neighborhood.”

Open Streets is modeled after similar events in other cities, including Bogota, Colombia, where 70 km of streets are open to people every Sunday. These ciclovia events are popping up in U.S. cities, including New York City, Portland, Ore., San Francisco and Miami.

Major funding for Open Streets is provided by The Chicago Community Trust.

Open Streets has been organized at the grassroots level with five community-based organizations: the Active Transportation Alliance has worked with the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness, Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, North Lawndale Christian Development Corporation and Enlace Chicago.

Open Streets has also relied on support from the Local Initiative Support Corporation, Chicago Park District, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Office of Emergency Management and Communications. The Chicago Park District and local aldermen’s support has also made the event a reality.

The event depends on volunteer support. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jody Orlovick at jody@activetrans.org with “Open Streets” in the subject line or call 312.427.3325 x297. Hours can be directed toward Chicago Public School Service Learning Hours.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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