Burlington streets will be car free two Sundays; one June 10th the other July 15th from 2 pm to 7 pm

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  April 19, 2012    Car free Sundays?  Will they work?   Will the public actually get themselves to those parts of town where the streets will be car free?  And what will they do when they get there?

The city has a nice catchy phrase to bring the community together:  get up, get out and get moving. The Mayor tells us  “Car-Free Sundays are a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours, spend time with family and friends, and to get active on the open street.”

So what is a Car Free Sunday Burlington event?  During the two scheduled events, roads will be closed to vehicular traffic and opened to pedestrians – whether strolling, wheeling, walking, cycling, or roller-blading. In addition to having access to the roadways, independent organizations and community groups will enliven the route with a variety of activities.

Two pilot events in two separate locations will take place this year: June 10 (south east Burlington) and July 15 (downtown Burlington) from 2 pm until 7 pm.

All of Appleby Line from Fairview on the north down to New Street on the south will be "car free" Sunday June 10th. Plenty of entertainment as well.

The first chance to roll about on your bike is June 10 on Appleby Line which  will be closed from New Street north to Fairview Street, with the south lanes of Fairview closed from Appleby Line to Sherwood Forest Park.  To celebrate the event, organizers are creating two themed areas, Music and Marketplace along Appleby Line.  “We want to fill the streets with colour, life and music,” said Car-Free Sundays committee co-ordinator Peter Summers. “We hope musicians; sports groups and art groups will come forward and get involved.”

This is what a car free street can look like. Appleby Line will be car free June 10th - what do you want to do on that street that day?

Music during Car-Free Sundays on June 10 will include local bands and performers. The afternoon will kick off with a parade featuring the Burlington Teen Tour Band, will continue with bands on stage and will finish with the MM Robinson Marching Band.  Event organizers are searching for bands to perform between 2 and 7 p.m., on stage, at the corner of Appleby and Fairview.

Businesses and groups that include charities, arts, dance and sports are invited to get involved in a Marketplace. Participants must commit to being on site between 2 and 7 p.m. and must bring and take away everything needed for a display.

To get involved in the Music or Marketplace on Appleby Line volunteers are invited to complete a participant application form by visiting www.burlington.ca/carfreesundays. For more information,  e-mail  carfreesundays@burlington.ca or call 905-335-7600, ext. 8536.

“Even if you can’t volunteer, we encourage you to pencil the dates June 10 and July 15 in your calendar,” said Robert Narejko, volunteer chair of Car-Free Sundays Burlington and a member of the Burlington Cycling Committee.  “Come out on foot, bring your baby strollers, roller-blades, wheelchairs or bicycles.”

The second car free Sunday is in Downtown Burlington on July 15. It will tie in with a planned BBQ event.  More detail to follow.

 

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1 comment to Burlington streets will be car free two Sundays; one June 10th the other July 15th from 2 pm to 7 pm

  • Robert Narejko

    This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and local businesses that you may have passed by while driving at 60 kph. You will be amazed at what you will notice at walking / biking speed.

    Hopefully this will be the start of more frequent and longer car free routes. Can you imagine going from one end of the City on the road without any cars? That would be a great experience.

    Come on out and participate!