Fort Collins is gearing up to temporarily reclaim a stretch of its streets from the realm of vehicles, in favor of pedestrians and cyclists. The city's ninth annual Open Streets event, set for September 15, aims to create a bustling car-free corridor on S. Shields St., between W. Mountain Ave. and W. Lake St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to the City of Fort Collins, this yearly tradition is not just about fun and games, it's a statement about the very fabric of urban living and the potential for streets to be safely shared by all forms of transportation.
The planned activities are diverse enough to quickly fill any family's itinerary. Mayor Jeni Arndt will lead a ribbon cutting at 9:45 a.m. at W. Elizabeth St. and S. Shields St., right before the festivities officially kick-off. Afterward, attendees are invited to actively traverse the Open Streets route in a Parade of Wheels and to joyfully partake in an array of activities from live music performances to hourly fitness sessions. The City aims to encourage citizens to consider switching to active modes of transport and to acknowledge the benefits of such lifestyle choices. As the event prepares to unfold, W. Mulberry St. will remain accessible for east-west traffic, while S. Shields St. will be closed to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate the celebrations.
"Open Streets is designed to advocate for safer streets by encouraging active modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and skating," Active Modes Specialist, AnnMarie Kirkpatrick said, as per the City of Fort Collins. Further expanding on the impact of the event, she emphasized the city's commitment to accessible, safe, and shared public spaces. Food and dessert trucks, alongside tables from local vendors, will likely turn the street into a pop-up market reflective of Fort Collins' community spirit. Artist Terry McNerney is set to convert a transformer cabinet into a work of art at Pitkin St. and Shields St., bringing a visual feast to the event's attendees.
Since its inception in 2015, the Open Streets initiative has consistently underscored the importance of rethinking our relationship with urban spaces. Kirkpatrick recalled a participant who once remarked, as detailed by the City of Fort Collins, "this is what makes Fort Collins great!" The initiative aims to not just temporarily transform a roadway into a space for celebration but to lastingly inspire residents about the possibilities that come with a more inclusive urban design. By inviting an entire community to reimagine the use of a busy street, Open Streets is redefining what it means to move through and coexist within our city landscapes.
