Open Streets 2016

For five hours on this balmy beautiful Sunday, a portion of the main road along the ocean cliffs was closed to vehicular traffic to create a 2-mile stretch of safe playway for kids, families, dogs, bikes, wheelchairs, skateboards and dinosaurs. Begun in 2012, this free event offers community groups a chance to share information about schools, libraries, public transit, solar power and arts programs. Marimbas, taiko, ukuleles and saxophones, aerial arts and games for kids all add to the lighthearted atmosphere, but the best part is seeing the sheer joy on kids' faces as they tear up and down the street on their bikes.

Just a footnote from the local newspaper article: coordinating this event is not simple, nor cheap: staffing, barricades, marketing and permits run about $30,000 to close this road for 5 hours.