City’s pulse keeps beating
Peterborough Pulse celebration returns Saturday with longest car-free route yet
Peterborough Pulse is gearing up for its third annual Open Streets event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For one summer day, Pulse invites you to walk, cycle, skate, and rollerblade through the downtown in spaces that are usually occupied by cars.
This year the route stretches from McDonnel St. to Sherbrooke St., extending along Charlotte St. to Louis St. and through the trails from King St. to the end of Crescent St. At about 3.8 kilometres, this is Pulse’s longest route yet.
Two years ago, Open Streets events were a new concept in Peterborough, but have now grown into something Peterborough Pulse co-ordinator and GreenUP Transportation and Urban Design Project co-ordinator Hillary Flood never could have anticipated.
“Over the past two years the support and praise we have received has been overwhelming. Pulse is able to inspire a healthier, happier, more connected community for everyone by opening the streets to people! This year, we are excited about our most extensive route and can’t wait to share Peterborough Pulse with the whole city. On top of all the animation and activities we’ve planned, Pulse continues to provide a space for introducing new concepts to the Peterborough community. Pulse enables our city to reimagine the possibilities of people and place. As the co-ordinator, I am constantly inspired by this event and our amazing community groups who help bring our streets to life.”
Similar to previous Pulse events, the downtown area will be alive with sidewalk sales, entertainment and music on every block. This year, most of the Pulse planning and animation will focus on enlivening the Crescent St. experience. Crescent St. will be introducing familyfriendly activities along the waterfront including canoeing, rowing, yoga, and much more. Interactive art installations will also be situated to animate the street to its fullest potential. Crescent St. will be bustling with activities all day! Pulse encourages all participants to use a form of active transportation on the Pulse route and also when travelling to and from the event. The Pulse route will be connected to the local trail systems so that participants will be able to avoid parking stress by simply leaving the car at home. In an effort to be even more cyclefriendly, B!Ke - Peterborough’s Community Cycling Hub will be hosting a free bicycle valet located at 293 George St. N.
Participants can cycle to Pulse, drop their bike off at the valet, enjoy the downtown on foot while participating in activities, and pick their bike up when it’s time to head home.
There will be a lot to explore! More than 100 different community groups and businesses have joined Pulse this year, capturing the city’s colourful, unique identity. Along the route you can expect playful installations such as giant board games, interactive and educational children’s activities, circus performers, axe throwing, and grassy pop-up parks on the streets. You will also find experts demonstrating and leading activities such as yoga, tennis, dance, martial arts, and more.
Peterborough Pulse is a collaborative project of GreenUP, the City of Peterborough, the Downtown Business Improvement Area, the Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee, B!KE: the Community Cycling Hub, Peterborough Public Health and Peterborough Square.
This initiative wouldn’t be possible without the support of Pulse funders and sponsors including Ontario150, Peterborough Public Transit, Energy 99.7, Country 105, Atria Y-Lofts, McLeod’s EcoWater, Pulse Physiotherapy, Wild Rock, Offices that Work, Trent University, Engage Engineering, Ashburnham Reality and Peterborough Inn and Suites.
To find out more about Pulse activities and route, visit www. ptbopulse.com and be sure to connect with Pulse on Facebook at @ ptbopulse.