Goals of Open Streets Hamilton
- Raise awareness for pedestrian, cycling and other sustainable transportation issues.
- Promote Hamilton’s existing sustainable transportation and recreation trail networks.
- Promote healthy, active forms of transportation (including public transit) to achieve health benefits for individuals.
- Provide tourism and economic benefit to downtown neighbourhoods.
- Showcase services of local community groups and businesses.
- Provide lessons and data to bolster the case for ongoing Open Streets in subsequent years.
Last year’s Open Streets Hamilton included 2 kilometers of car-free roads for pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, skateboards, wheelchairs, and more! With an expanded programming area in Gore Park, Open Streets Hamilton and its sponsors were able to engage even more of the downtown core through free, family-friendly activity! Our events in June and September served as a nice beginning and end to the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area’s Gore Park Summer Promenade which added to the ongoing rejuvenation of our city’s great core. Plans for this year’s event include even more streets to explore!
Over 100 local businesses, organizations and artists came out in support of Open Streets Hamilton in 2011, attracting thousands of pedestrian, cycling and health enthusiasts to leave their cars at home and join in the streets – June’s event saw over 10,000 fans alone! Open Streets Hamilton is still accepting sponsors for its 2012 season!
Open Streets Hamilton was also joined last year by YWCA Hamilton, who hosted their second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoesevent in June raising almost $50,000 to support and raise awareness around the violence and poverty that affect women in Hamilton. Free zumba classes were provided during the day and helped to warm up the participants in their high heels! Register now for the YWCA Hamilton’s Walk a Mile taking place as a part of Open Streets Hamilton on June 24th, 2012. Don’t miss it!
In September, McMaster University’s Student Clubs also turned out to support the event. With bike rides along the waterfront trail and bus trips leading new students downtown, students were setting up club tables to talk to residents about their ideas and an important link was made between a walkable, bikeable core and a growing population of young people curious about the city. Open Streets Hamilton is now in discussions with the university about the possibility of collaborating on future events.
Open Streets Hamilton’s staff, volunteers and committee would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year! Follow us ontwitter or like us on facebook to hear more about upcoming 2012 events as it happens!
Want to get involved? There are great ways to be a part of this fun festival:
- Come out on the street and bring a friend (or two)!
- Ask your organization to participate! Run an activity or become a sponsor!
- Volunteer to be a guide and get a free t-shirt!
For more information on how to be involved, contact Kathryn at kathryn@openstreetshamilton.ca
**Open Streets Hamilton will be returning for its third consecutive year as a bi-annual event promoting active transportation, healthy living, and bringing Hamilton’s communities together.
