Thank God for Open Streets!

I think the most exciting part of Open Street is the location.  Open Streets (from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow) will stretch from Logan Squre to Little Village. It is a free event where people can walk, bike, dance and be physically active!

Chicago remains a space where there are many communities that do not necessarily interact with each other. Open Streets will connect several diverse communities so they can explore each other’s neighborhoods in a fun physical way.

In the underserved community you find a lot of liquor stores, fast food restaurants, garbage and vacant lots. Missing are bike lanes, parks, and people being physically active.

Although the community is underserved. There are still good values and family that makes the community feel more welcoming. At Open Streets each community will have activities along the route that represent what the community is like. You will find everything from salsa to hip-hop, jazz and even gospel, to biking and dog-walking (it’s really a diverse crowd).

In particular North Lawndale, Garfield Park and Humboldt Park are the communities with the highest rate of obesity, and diabetes. So this event is really needed.

Despite all the negatives, we do have something special to look forward to and that’s Open Streets. On this day, we will reclaim our streets and become one community. The event is completely free and it is for anyone and everyone.

Open Streets is a kick-off event to transform communities to be more livable. It will be a day where no garbage is around and where people interact with each other in a safe, clean environment.

See you there!