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Charlotte, NC — Open Streets 704 powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina loops even more neighbors and businesses together for a bigger, more diverse event.

The October 15 Open Streets route will feature a roughly 5.5 mile loop that connects Madison Park, Selwyn Park, Montford Park, Freedom Park, Myers Park, Ashbrook, LoSo, and Colonial Village neighborhoods. Highlights include the LoSo brewery hotspots, Freedom Park, and Park Road Shopping Center. Neighbors and businesses along the route will be notified soon so they can plan accordingly. The route map is available now at https://openstreets704.com/route/

The first three Open Streets events attracted more than 50,000 people to routes through Charlotte’s west side, east side, historic South End, NoDa, and surrounding neighborhoods. This is the fourth in a series of four Open Streets events launched by a two-year grant from the Knight Foundation.

Open Streets events create a temporary, linear park by opening the roads to pedestrian, bicycle, and other “people powered” transportation, so the streets can be used for walking, cycling, dancing, playing, and connecting neighbors. Open Streets programs have proven to be successful at achieving goals related to recreation, public health, and active transportation.

Open Streets 704, powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, is also made possible by a generous grant from the Knight Foundation, in partnership with Partners for Parks, Mecklenburg County Government, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation, Mecklenburg County Public Health, the support of Charlotte B-Cycle, the Charlotte Chamber’s Healthy Charlotte Council, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police and Charlotte Fire departments.

For more information, check out https://openstreets704.com, or stay connected with the program on Facebook and Instagram!

 

The numbers are in, and they’re proof that Charlotte and Mecklenburg County LOVE Open Streets 704 powered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina! With each event, we’ve experienced double-digit growth, more interested and engaged businesses and sponsors, a greater understanding of what open streets can mean for connectivity and community-building, and more and more neighbors asking when the event is coming to their part of town! But that’s just part of the story. Survey respondents tell us Open Streets 704 makes them feel good about their hometown, encourages them to get around in a healthy, active way, and introduces them to new neighborhoods and businesses — all in a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon. Here’s what else they had to say about the third Open Streets 704 event on May 7, 2017!

• 62% traveled to Open Streets 704 by car, 26% walked or ran and 8% biked.

• 53% of attendees heard about Open Streets 704 via social media, 35% heard about it thorugh word of mouth.

• 46% came because the event is unique, 16% to spend time with family and friends and 8% came for fitness.

• 94% of participants had improved feelings about the City of Charlotte.

• 96% of attendees believe that Open Streets 704 strengthens our community.

• 73% of people discovered a new business because of Open Streets 704.

• 88% of businesses believe they were exposed to new customers due to Open Streets 704.