CROWDS LOVE OPEN STREETS
But will council OK a third edition?
Major roads in the city became crowded with people for hours on Sunday as an appreciative public enjoyed Open Streets Windsor — an event that officials say is exploding in popularity.
It’s the second year for the city’s largest free recreation program, which bars automobile traffic from University Avenue West, Wyandotte Street East, and other roadways — leaving eight kilometres of paved surfaces to be enjoyed by cyclists, pedestrians, businesses, food sellers, community organizations, athletes, artists, children, and more.
“We had significantly more people than last year, by all accounts,” said Michael Chantler, who manages the project for the City of Windsor.
According to the city, the official Open Streets Windsor hashtag (#OSWindsor) was at one point trending across Canada on Sunday.
Chantler estimates 10,000 people participated in the first edition of Open Streets Windsor last year, and he expects this year’s edition exceeded that number.
The 2016 version of the program was held on two days — July 17 and Sept. 18 — with road closures for four hours on each date. The 2017 version focused on a single day with seven consecutive hours of road closures, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Windsorites took advantage of the car-free streets with diverse methods of transportation — biking, walking, running, skateboarding, rollerblading, and even hoverboarding.
At various points along the way, participants were encouraged to stop and enjoy activities, refreshments and recreation. The long list of entertainments included live rock music, live jazz, slam poetry, chalk drawing, artwork and handicraft vendors, street hockey, table tennis, a squash court simulator, and a bicycle obstacle course.
Some participating businesses and organizations offered free food — such as hotdogs courtesy of Reiner’s Guaranteed Collision Centre and cookies via Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.
Other groups promoted themselves with amusing diversions. Enigma Escape Rooms offered an array of puzzles and brain busters to give the public a taste of the fun at their Tecumseh Road West location. “It’s amazing free advertising. It’s great to connect with the community,” said Angelica Haggert, Enigma Escape Rooms operations manager.
The H’OM Wellness Centre held a yoga session in the middle of Ouellette Avenue, while the Taoist Tai Chi Society practised their forms at three different locations.
“I saw Open Streets happen last year. It’s quite a phenomenon across North America,” said Rod Strickland, an instructor with the Taoist Tai Chi Society. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to show what we offer.”
But the event couldn’t have happened without the help of hundreds of volunteers. Debbie Renaud was one of many crossing guards who were enlisted to guide traffic at intersections with active roads. “It’s a beautiful day,” Renaud said. “I think this is great. I think it’s something we need.”
As for the likelihood of Open Streets Windsor happening again, Chantler said that will be up to city council. His next step is to gather feedback and draft a report for council.
“Obviously, we’d like to repeat this, if it’s desirable,” Chantler said.