Open Streets event planned for August 11 on Minnehaha

Minnehaha Ave. will be closed so residents can bike, walk, skate, zumba and more

by Tesha M. Christensen

Slow down and appreciate Minnehaha Ave. during this year’s Open Streets event on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Open Streets Minneapolis is a free event that invites everyone to enjoy Minneapolis streets without the presence of motors. Citizens bike, walk, skate, zumba and more on streets that have been closed to traffic. Musicians perform concerts, exercise instructors lead classes, and businesses hold special events.

Organizers believe this was the way streets were meant to be.

“This event will be a unique and new opportunity to fall in love with the great urban neighborhoods like Longfellow again,” said Kristi K. Adams, co-chair of  the Longfellow Business Association. “Often times, when we choose a different mode of transportation in our busy lives, we are able to slow down and appreciate the wonderful diversity that exists in our urban habitat. Plus, it’s free!”

Open Streets grew from the idea Colombian idea of Ciclovía. Since 1976, on Sunday mornings and holidays certain main streets of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and other municipalities are blocked off to cars for the exclusive use of runners, skaters, and bicyclists. Almost 2 million people participate weekly. The concept has spread across the world, and the first Open Streets event was held in 2010.

Organized by the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, the first local Open Streets event was held on Lyndale in 2011. It drew 5,000 people.

Open Streets Minneapolis is one of over 70 initiatives in North America modeled after the Ciclovía of Bogotá, Colombia.

This year, there will be four Open Streets events in Minneapolis, one in each quadrant of the city. Lyndale and Lowry are in the southwest, there will be one in northeast, and Minnehaha Ave. is in the southeast.

According to organizer Colin Harris, Minnehaha Ave. works from the city’s perspective because there is a good detour nearby (Hiawatha Ave.). It also works from a neighborhood perspective because it links a busy commercial corridor (Lake St.) with an iconic park (Minnehaha Park).

Open Streets Minneapolis seeks to promote healthy living, local businesses, sustainable transportation and civic pride.

“Benefits include having a street for a day reimagined for recreation (thinking about streets as public space),” pointed out Harris.

Some business owners have fears that the Open Streets events will hurt their business for the day, Open Streets representatives work  to address their fears. Some zoning restrictions are relaxed for the day, and in the past, businesses have held sidewalk sales and other special events, such as concerts. Open Streets representatives have heard from business owners who were absolutely amazed at how long people stayed, and their desire to stay longer. It brought them new customers.

“The event will be a great opportunity to showcase Minnehaha Ave. businesses prior to reconstruction,” observed Longfellow Community Council staff member Ruth Romano.

“Businesses enjoy Open Streets because of the thousands of people walking and biking by -– going at a speed that allows them to better notice their surroundings and engage with businesses,” said Harris. “The street will be much quieter than normal and residents will see old friends and meet new ones.”

Learn more at openstreetsmpls.com.