From 3-6 p.m. that day, streets will be closed from Genesee Park along South Conover Street, 38th Avenue South and Alaska Street South, down Rainier Avenue South through Columbia City and ending at Orcas Street.
This will be the second in a series of three car-free days that will take place in Seattle.
"This is an opportunity to see what it's like if people drive less and how the streets can be utilized differently," said Dawn Schellenberg, strategic advisor for the Seattle Department of Transportation. "It has a climate function, really. It's to get people to be healthy and active and support their local businesses, build community and help us fight global warming."
The program is part of Mayor Greg Nickels' "Give Your Car the Summer Off" campaign to combat global warming by encouraging Seattle residents to drive their car 1,000 miles less per year.
Seattle is part of a blooming trend that encourages a more sustainable urban lifestyle. Car-free days are already happening in other cities. Portland's Sunday Parkways and Bogota, Colombia's Ciclovia have proved to be great successes.
Columbia City's car-free day will coincide with Lake Washington Boulevard's Bicycle Sunday event, which will shut down Lake Washington Boulevard to motorized traffic south of Mount Baker Beach and around Seward Park from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Car-free day coordinators said bikers will find an easy connection from one event to the other.
While car-free days are not pro-bike events, the aim is to provide a safe environment for both cyclists and pedestrians. "It's a pro-people event," said Sharon Rockwood, event planner for the Department of Transportation.
Organizations supporting the event include Sustainable South Seattle, Bike Works, Healthy and Active Rainier Valley, and Seattle Parks and Recreation, said Diana Vergis-Vinh, organizer for Columbia City's car-free day.
Members of the Cascade Bicycle Club will serve as bicycle ambassadors at each car-free day and will promote their Bike Smart program, which aims to get people, especially women, out on their bikes.
Scheduled activities include a bouncy house for kids and buskers, a balloon artist and Hooping Allure, who will perform her hoola-hooping routine.
Also attending will be Richard Wilson from Sustainable South Seattle, who will be signing people up for an "Undriver License."
"The idea originated in Ballard," said Wilson. While the group's mission is to "undrive Ballard," tents can be seen at many sustainable events around Seattle, signing up those who pledge to undrive in the coming month. The organization provides doable alternatives for car use and an actual license, complete with a personal picture.
While many more activities will be scheduled as the event nears, Schellenberg doesn't think they will be the main attraction.
"This is not the street fair. The goal is not necessarily to fill the streets but enjoy the streets that are car-free. Kids can get out on their bikes and ride around in circles if they want to," said Schellenberg.
Added Vergis-Hinh: "This is an inexpensive way to get out of the house with the family. It's safe for kids. They can go in their street without their parents having to worry."
The car-free events are sure to attract many but not without a few frustrated Seattleites.
"We've had some people that don't like the idea but it's been fairly minimal," said Schellenberg. "Some people don't like the idea just because it shuts down the street."
While Vergis-Vinh agreed that much of the frustration is rooted in the inconvenience drivers face, she said resistance could stem from weary citizens afraid of too much government control.
"The blogs I've read have had more of an anti-government response. There were lots of laundry lists of things the government has recently implemented," said Vergis-Vinh.
Schellenberg agreed.
"A lot of stuff happened last week," she said. "There was an agreement to put the 20-cent fee on the plastic bags and there was an agreement that if people started moving scooters they would get a $38 ticket. I think people are just kind of feeling like the government is overburdening them right now so I don't think it was backlash, necessarily, about the event. People are just a little weary," she said.
Despite minimal resistance, planning for the events is well under way and coordinators will pay close attention to Volunteer Park's car-free day, which takes place on Capitol Hill Aug. 24 from noon until 6 p.m. Adjustments will be made to the Columbia City event depending on Capitol Hill's success.
The final car-free day of the summer will take place Sept. 7 from noon until 6 p.m. in West Seattle and will shut down California Way Southwest along areas of Alki Beach.
Organizers of the car-free days encourage people to come and see what they're all about. "These experimental events are to find out if people enjoy them and if they're worth doing again, " said Schellenberg.
Sasha London may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]