Open Streets set to return on Sunday

THUNDER BAY – After a one-year absence, Open Streets Thunder Bay is coming back in a big way in 2017.

This weekend will mark the first of three events being held in the city this year, as Algoma Street is closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m. and opened up to dog walkers, cyclists, pedestrians and roller-bladers.

Other events will be held on Simpson Street and Victoria Avenue on Sept. 16 and on Court Street on Oct. 1.

Eco-Superior program co-ordinator Ashley Priem on Friday said the city received an Ontario 150 grant to bring back Open Streets Thunder Bay, good news for the thousands who took part in three earlier events.

“Open Streets is about re-imagining public spaces. We all pay and contribute to the roads and infrastructure, so rather than just using them for vehicles, now we can use them for people as a paved park, to come out and be physically active, to meet their neighbours and to shop locally,” Priem said.

While the physical activity aspect is the main focus of the Open Streets event, Priem added there are plenty of other things planned.

“It’s quite exciting for people to be able to walk or bike or roller blade down the middle of a closed street. We also have some supporting activities. We’re going to have the Art Gallery there with urban sketching,” she said.

“We’ve got some ballroom line dancing. We’ve got Safe Cycling Thunder Bay helping out as well as the Health Unit. There’s going to be lots of activities for all ages and all abilities.”

Drivers won’t have access to Algoma Street, but motorists will be able to cross the road at four checkpoints along the closure.