Streets in 2 Seattle neighborhoods to close to cars this summer
Jun 26, 2015, 3:51 PM | Updated: 4:33 pm
(City of Seattle photo)
Streets in two Seattle neighborhoods will close to cars this summer so that pedestrians and bicyclists can take over.
The Seattle Department of Transportation will block off streets in the Central District on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ballard streets will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
SDOT wrote on its website: “This summer, you can explore two distinct Seattle neighborhoods: Ballard and the Central District via a 3-7 mile route while experiencing neighborhood parks full of fun activities.”
According to the Seattle Bike Blog, there was talk of a downtown route instead of Ballard. The city shelved that idea for this year.
The city also changed the name of the event from Seattle Streets to Seattle Summer Parkways — to reflect what the event has morphed into. Summer Parkways features miles of streets available to walkers, bikers, yard sales, and parties. Summer Streets was a short stretch of one street open for a few hours.
“At parks along the route, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Cascade Bicycle Club and many other organizations will host activities, events, and live music,” SDOT wrote.
City officials visited Portland last year to check out its Summer Parkways events: