Everything you love about Open Streets 704 — and more — is back for four hours on Sunday, April 19, as Charlotte’s NINTH afternoon of car(e) free streets returns to its popular NoDa-to-Plaza Midwood route! (Or Plaza Midwood-to-NoDa, if that’s what you prefer!)
Street painting projects, B-Cycles, food, games, and street performers all return for this twice-a-year fun afternoon.
A record-breaking year of engagement saw more than 52,000 people stroll, roll, bike, and dance through neighborhoods of Belmont, Optimist Park, Villa Heights, Wilmore, Seversville, and Dilworth, and Open Streets 704 is excited about doing it again. Both Fall and Spring events set new records!
“Open Streets 704 is the largest event in Charlotte focused on community health and civic engagement,” says Scott Curry, Active Transportation Coordinator for the City of Charlotte. “And as always, it is 100% free to participate.”
Veterans Memorial Park, between Central and McClintock avenues, returns to the route this year. In it, families will find fun for all ages: sports, games, and bounce houses to name just a few activities, as Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation takes over programming for that end of the 4.2 mile route.
“We’re excited about having Veterans Memorial Park back on the route this year,” says Jay Tryon, Superintendent of Community Recreation. “It is one of our biggest parks, and truly has something for everyone.” Expect golf and other ball games in the 19-acre park.
Just a few blocks away on Commonwealth Avenue, BOOM! Charlotte continues its successful partnership with Open Streets 704 by bringing some of its innovative visual and performance art outdoors. The 3-day BOOM! Charlotte festival is a colorful part of the thriving arts scene in Plaza Midwood each year and Open Streets 704 will once again get to enjoy select performances for free on the route.
Bicycles are always a huge part of rolling through the entire Open Streets 704 route, and this year is no different. Once again, Open Streets 704 will be an important part of Bike Charlotte, which celebrates its 20th year in 2020!
“In the past few years Open Streets 704 has become a signature part of BIKE! Charlotte and one of the biggest biking and walking events in the southeast,” says Curry. “We continue to be amazed and humbled at the way the Charlotte community has embraced Open Streets 704 and BIKE! Charlotte.”
Charlotte B-Cycles, as usual, will be available for free at the activity hubs while supplies last.
This spring’s Open Streets 704 will take a slight “green” detour from its usual path through Belmont and Optimist Park, to explore a new section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway that is part of the Cross Charlotte Trail. Participants will access the Greenway at the intersection of Belmont Avenue and North Myers Street, and can follow it to East 18th Street, a block from North Davidson Street.
The addition of Veterans Memorial Park and a portion of Little Sugar Creek Greenway is exciting to Partners for Parks, for whom Open Streets 704 is the signature event.
“We’re very excited about creating a festival atmosphere at Veterans Memorial Park on the route,” says Al Brown, Treasurer of Partners for Parks. “And we’re eager to showcase a beautiful section of the Greenway through Belmont and Optimist Park.”
As you come off the Greenway and head north past Cordelia Park on North Davidson, you’ll reach the Southminster Family Zone. This popular section includes activities for any and every age to enjoy together. It’s the perfect spot for parents and kids to stop and play — and grandmas and grandpas too! Expect a multigenerational play area and stage sponsored by Southminster senior living community.
“At our most recent Open Streets 704 program, 86 different organizations came out to host activities on the route, offering a multicultural, multigenerational, and multilingual Charlotte experience for our diverse participants,” touts Curry. “You can expect to see more of the same on April 19.”
52,000 people can’t be wrong — there’s something for everyone! Pump up your tires and lace up your shoes, and join the fun from the heart of NoDa to the playground of Plaza Midwood, 1 – 4 p.m. on April 19th! See you there!
