But who knows? Anything could happen when we take it to the streets on May 23rd for Atlanta’s first ever car-free day.

See you Sunday, everyone!

Behold:

Interactive Map

You can sort layers by activities, info stations, street closures and businesses. We’ll also have a map in print layout that you can take with you to the event, as well as a map we’ll be distributing on May 23rd.

We’ll see everyone at the kickoff ceremonies at Woodruff Park at 1PM!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Council Communications

City Hall

55 Trinity Ave. SW

Atlanta, GA  30303

Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall invites Atlantans to “Come Play in the Streets” Downtown

ATLANTA – Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the Centers for Disease Control, and other partners present Atlanta Streets Alive, a car-free, family-friendly festival in downtown Atlanta Sunday, May 23 from 1:00-6:00 p.m.

The event will close to vehicular traffic a mile of Edgewood Avenue west of Boulevard to Woodruff Park, while opening that section of Edgewood to recreational use.

“Come experience downtown like you’ve never experienced it before!” said Hall.  “No cars.  Just people. You, your friends, and family–and strollers, hula hoops, tango lessons, break-dancing, people-watching, bike riding.”

Modeled after “Car-Free Sunday” events around the world, this vendor-free festival encourages participants to get active, eat at Edgewood restaurants and cafes along the route, and enjoy the city.

Although participants can join in the fun at any point along the route, there will be a short kick-off ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at Woodruff Park. The park will be home to a variety of family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will host a bike station where people can rest their bikes, get their helmet fit checked, watch kids participate in a bike rodeo, or just learn more about bicycle issues and opportunities in Atlanta.

For information about the route, a roster of program activities, and event partners, visit www.atlantastreetsalive.com

For additional information or questions, contact Councilman Hall’s office at (404) 330-6038 / khall@atlantaga.gov Day-of-event media contact: (404) 406-5296

###

Dexter M. Chambers, Director

Atlanta City Council Office of Communications

55 Trinity Avenue, SW

Suite 2551

Atlanta, Ga. 30303

404-330-6309-Direct

404-392-0159-Cell

dchambers@atlantaga.gov

She writes, “Despite the recent upswing in bicycling, Atlanta roads are still generally built for and dominated by cars and their drivers.

There is a movement afoot to change that dynamic.

Here in the United States we are not in the habit of looking to Colombia for innovative and democratic ideas. But three decades ago, a group of citizens of Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, closed down a city street to cars and opened it up for people.

The grassroots idea gradually gained support within the city administration. That coincided with a policy shift to emphasize the creation of shared and engaging public spaces for recreation, cultural activities and social interaction.

The ciclovia was born. And in the decades since, it has spread throughout the world. And now it’s coming to Atlanta.”

Read the article for yourself, and after May 23rd, be sure to tell your elected officials that this is something we’d like to do again and again in Atlanta. It can’t happen without you!

Cycling lanes and cafe seating are installed, pop-up businesses are created, and zoning regulations are completely re-written in order to show the city how vital–and viable–forgotten little areas can become literally overnight.

Check it out!

Wouldn’t it be great if this somehow happened during Streets Alive? Completely guerilla style, of course

Please donate!

According to research, “A growing mass of scientific evidence does indicate that how places are designed and built can cause and complicate grave health problems for individuals and whole populations.”

Furthermore, studies show that “depression correlates with the lack of access to green space, a plight of many inner-city residents; the physical isolation of suburbanites; and the immobility enforced on those who cannot drive but have no transportation alternative.”

Please join us on May 23rd for Atlanta Streets Alive!, a first step towards making our city a happier, healthier place for everyone.