Spokane Summer Parkways is an idea inspired by an event in Bogota, Colombia called Ciclovia (meaning “bike path” in Spanish) and similar events in other parts of the world. The focus is on recreation, fitness, and community when we close 4 miles of roadway to automobiles and open up the streets to bikes, pedestrians, skaters, and other human-powered transportation.
Physical fitness activities like yoga, Zumba, hula hoops, tai chi, fencing, dancing, Pilates, self defense, jump rope, hacky sack, and martial arts will be offered free along the course to encourage a healthy lifestyle for everyone. Folks of all ages and abilities may enter and exit the course at any point and enjoy these activities. Participants are also encouraged to bring their own games and hobbies along (e.g. picnics, music, chalk art, hopscotch, bubbles, juggling, jump rope, etc).
In 2012, Spokane Summer Parkways will be held in two different neighborhoods
Summer Parkways takes place:
Sunday, June 3, noon-3PM-Chief Garry/Logan Neighborhood (map)
Wednesday, June 20, 6-9 PM- Comstock/Manito Neighborhood (map)
So excited and delighted that Spokane is encouraging such a healthy and friendly environment event. I experienced Ciclovia en Bogota’ last year, Calle Septima (7th Street)closed on Sunday for miles y miles y miles from La Candelaria to Norte Zona. It was a beautiful thing, people on bikes or pulling their kids in wagons. Maybe some year we can close Sprague from the East Valley to Downtown Spokane on a Sunday …..just like Septima. That would be cool !!!
It was a GREAT evening! Lots of people smiling and enjoying riding, walking, strolling up and down Manito Blvd. Kids, families, seniors, everyone was out. It was lovely to see folks sitting out on their lawns watching people go by. The streets were ‘gently closed’. I didn’t see people on private property.
I monitored one intersection. Almost all the drivers were good-natured about avoiding crossing the closed area — well, there was one very grumpy person. And when someone said “I live there”, the response was “Of course we want you to be able to get home!”. Driver and cyclists respectfully watched to be sure everyone was safe.
Congratulations to the planning committee!
What a wonderful evening. I rode my bicycle around the loop twice; once clockwise, and once counterclockwise, with members of my cycling group, Belles and Baskets. Along the way, we watched dancing, stopped for lemonade stands, and watched people on bikes, pushing strollers, walking hand-in-hand, barbecuing, smiling and laughing! I got very little exercise, because I kept running into (not literally of course) people that I knew. It’s my neighborhood, and I have great neighbors! Thank you for a fabulous event!
Not typical. I would guess 99 percent of the people welcomed their neighbors who walked and cycled and danced past their homes. Certainly that was the case with my neighbors who live on the South HIll but are not snobs! Thank you to all the friendly people who made this event so much fun!
The event at Comstock/Manito was great last night. Just one suggestion for next year. The road through Manito Park should be closed. The open road through the park was the most dangerous part of the route.
Great event, great evening with friends! Thanks so much:)
I had a great time and want to thank everyone involved in putting this together. I hope this community activity continues and it develops nicely into an event we can look forward to each year. We need more community events such as this one. Keep up the good work.
Thanks to the residents of the Manito/Comstock neighborhoods for hosting this Summer Parkways. You have beautiful neighborhoods and friendly neighbors.
As always, your comments and suggestions for next year are welcome.
Let’s do it again next year!
THANK YOU to all the Summer Parkways organizers and volunteers!! We loved our North Hill event and hope to be part of it again next year. What fun to zip around the mostly car-free streets of our neighborhood on bikes, skateboards and scooters. See you again in August!
I will be bringing my Belles and Baskets group to enjoy the third Parkways. Keep up the good work, you guys!
I attended an event where the route crossed Boone Ave, and they had traffic police on site to assist in our safety. Not to worry, the planners of these events are safety-minded.