Sustainable Fairfax

Bringing people together to support a vital environment and thriving community

Streets for People

The Fourth Annual Streets for People, August 30 2015!

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Fairfax Streets for People is back for its fourth year of fun in downtown Fairfax on Sunday August 30, 2015 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The downtown blocks on Bolinas Road will be closed to vehicle traffic and open to the community for live music, dancing, yoga, games, shopping, food and outdoor activities for people of all ages.

We are bringing back many favorite features from prior years including the Youth Music Showcase, an outdoor cafe, Sterling the BubbleSmith, hula hooping with JellyFlow Arts, games in the street, a clothing swap, dancing performances, a bike decorating contest, and a Wellness Zone in Bolinas Park.

Come learn about how to improve health and reduce traffic and greenhouse gases at Transit Alley at the parking lot next to Mono Avenue (and enter a contest to win free prizes).

In 2012, our Sustainable Fairfax Vice President and Town Council member, Renee Goddard, created the first Streets for People after being inspired by Ciclovía, a weekly Sunday open streets event in Bogata, Columbia that encompasses 70 miles of car-free streets for two million people. Hundreds of cities and towns around the world and across the US now feature their own versions of car-free weekends. According to Goddard, the goal is to “create community resiliency and positive spirit, while celebrating what makes Fairfax unique.”

In the car-free spirit of the event, we encourage participants to leave their cars at home, and consider walking, biking (park at the free bike valet), carpooling, or taking public transportation. Marin Transit Routes 228 and 68, and Golden Gate route 23 run on Sundays (see www.511.org for more details). If driving or in need of a ride, participants can try Carma Carpooling, a free smart phone application designed to match riders and drivers.

 

Streets for People a Success

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Thanks to all of our friends, partners, and community, this year’s Streets for People was a huge success. The Marin IJ reported that over 1,0000 attended. Many people connected with friends that had not seen for a long time. Local shops reported increased sales. Everyone went home with smiles on their faces. Thanks to our own Renee Goddard and the entire Streets for People team for bringing this event to our town.

Volunteer for Streets for People!

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VOLUNTEER FOR STREETS FOR PEOPLE!

AUGUST 31, 2014 – 11am – 4pm

The third annual Streets for People is almost here! This is a very special community event, providing the opportunity for people to enjoy downtown Fairfax in a unique way. The street blocks on Bolinas Road between Broadway and Elsie Lane will be open for activities, games, dancing, yoga, live music, shopping, food and fun, all in a car-free environment. Read about last year’s event here.

Donating an hour or two of volunteer time will help to make this event the best it can be. And its a fun way to participate on the street! Check out the volunteer opportunities at this link (all shifts are only between 75 and 120 minutes long.)

Among the features this year include a Youth MusicShowcase, the Strider Adventure Zone by Krakatoa, a Clothing Swap by LoLa’s, ahair braiding booth by Hairfax, Make Your Own Sushi by chef Christin Anderson,an outdoor cafe by the Coffee Roastery, the popular Bubble Man, an Acro yogademonstration, games & crafts in the street, and much more. In Bolinas parkthere will be free Yoga (10am), QiGong (Noon), and Tai Chi (3:00) classes.

Streets for People is modeled after the successful Cicloviaweekly Sunday open streets event that started in Bogata, Columbia. Hundreds ofcities and towns around the world and across the US now feature their ownversions of car-free weekends. The vision behind open streets events is to”take back the public realm and create memorable beautiful vibrant places wherepeople want to gather and participate in the community.” (City Repair)

 

And please walk, bike (there will be a free bikevalet!) or carpool to the event(try the new carpooling mobile application, Carma).

Bicycle Decorating Contest for $100 Good Earth Gift Package

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This year, we’re having a Best Decorated Bicycle contest during Streets for People. Get inspired, get crafty, get on out to the streets! There are three categories of competition:
CATEGORY 1: CARGO BIKE

CATEGORY 2: CRUISER BIKE

CATEGORY 3: KID’S BIKE

The rules are simple:
1. Bring your decorated bicycle to the parking lot by the former Lydia’s/Fairfax Diner building at Streets for People – August 31, 2014 between 11:00am – 2:00pm.

2. Lock up your bike at the rack so the community and judges can see your work.

3. Come back at 2:30 for the judging!

THE WINNER IN EACH CATEGORY RECEIVES THE GOOD EARTH NATURAL FOODS GIFT PACKAGE VALUED AT $100:

Announcing the Third Annual Streets for People

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When: Sunday, August 31, 2014 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: Bolinas between Broadway & Elsie Lane, Fairfax

The Third Annual “Fairfax Streets for People” is taking place on Sunday, August 31. Join us for a fun and relaxing Sunday afternoon on Bolinas Road in downtown Fairfax without cars! The blocks on Bolinas Road between Broadway and Elsie Lane will be open to community members of all ages for activities, games, dancing, yoga, live music, tea, shopping, food and fun, all in a car-free environment.

So Much to See and Do

There’s going to be a lot of action on the street! Make sure to catch:

[unordered_list style=”arrow”]

  • The Youth Music Showcase
  • The Strider Adventure Zone by Krakatoa
  • Clothing Swap by LoLa’s
  • Hair braiding booth by Hairfax
  • Make Your Own Sushi by chef Christin Anderson
  • An outdoor cafe by the Coffee Roastery
  • A tea garden by Herban Garden
  • Tacos in the Street by Grilly’s
  • Free hot dogs by Gestalt
  • Pet adoption by For Paws
  • The Bubble Man
  • A raffle for $50 worth of Scoop ice cream
  • Henna by Culture Shock

[/unordered_list]

… as well as Yoga, Belly Dancing, Break Dancing and Acro Yoga in the street.

In Bolinas Park, there will be free Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi classes. We’ll be posting the schedule soon!

Keeping Fairfax A People-Powered Community

Streets for People is modeled after the successful Ciclovia weekly Sunday open streets event that started in Bogata, Columbia over 30 years ago. Hundreds of cities and towns around the world and across the US now feature their own versions of car-free weekends.

In the words of City Repair, the vision behind open streets events is “to take back the public realm and create memorable beautiful vibrant places where people want to gather and participate in the community.”

Fairfax’s Streets for People is a collaboration of Sustainable Fairfax, The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Fairbuck.

 

 

Streets for People Reflections

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Sustainable Fairfax celebrated another successful “Streets for People” on the afternoon of Sunday, August 25. Hundreds from our community came out to enjoy our public commons without vehicle traffic between Broadway and Elsie Lane on Bolinas Road. The street closure created an entirely different atmosphere, where children and adults alike could play and socialize safely in the street.

Many have commented that it felt like a Mexican or European piazza. One woman’s response when asked about her favorite part of the event was “The people!” And that is the driving force behind the open streets movement- providing an opportunity for community members of all ages and backgrounds to connect and be together in vibrant public spaces, and inspiring people to creatively construct those spaces.

A dedication of the Mountain Bike Mosaic near Mono parking lot kicked off the event. The Youth Music Showcase, put together by Jack Irving, was a big hit throughout the day, featuring exceptionally talented local youth bands and singers. Another highlight was hula hoop instruction to adults and kids provided by Josephine Stoddard of Jellyflow Arts. And, the little ones got a kick out of the Strider Adventure Zone run by Krakatoa Bikes. The Roco dancers put on several performances that wooed the crowd and Sol Studios brought yoga and movement to the street. Iron Springs Pubcollected donations for the Marin Humane Society by selling their artisan rootbeer. Jen Jones, Jenna Chandler and others painted a beautiful street mandala. Hairfax and Jenn Hair Artist gave free haircut services. And, Roots to Branches inspired youth to help create the zero waste kiosks for the event.

In the park, Dawud Zafir started the day with a qigong class, Sienna Smith of Yoga Mountain Studio gave a loving yoga class, and Hal Mosher led Tai Chi.

This event was founded last year by Renee Goddard of Sustainable Fairfax (now also on the Town council) in collaboration with The Town of Fairfax, the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Fairbuck. Renee was deeply inspired by Ciclovia, a successful car-free program in Colombia that closes 70 miles of roadway every Sunday, allowing two million participants to enjoy the open streets. “The diversity of people in a common space makes for a rich fabric in which each citizen is a thread,” said Goddard.

This year Jennifer Hammond of Sustainable Fairfax led a committee to plan and organize the event, and The Fairfax Chamber and the Fairbuck provided funding. Due to the extraordinary volunteer efforts, the entire event was run on a $1,000 budget. The Fairfax Police and Fire departments provided strong support and assistance in the planning stages and at the event.

Sustainable Fairfax passionately believes in the community building benefits of open streets events and looks forward to many more in the future. To stay on top of future events, like the Streets for People Facebook Page.