Manatee Residents Invited To Hit The Streets Nov. 10

PALMETTO, FL — Manatee County residents are invited to grab their walking shoes, bikes and roller blades for this year’s Open Streets Manatee event in Palmetto.

Open Streets Manatee will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. along 10th Avenue West in Palmetto.

Open Streets Manatee is a free, pedestrian-friendly celebration that will close 10th Avenue West (from 4th Street West to 7th Street West) to car traffic to allow people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get active and connect with their community.

There will be free, family-friendly activities, including yoga, Pilates, Zumba, a kids' bike rodeo, music, bike rides, sidewalk chalk art and more, all presented by locally owned businesses and organizations.

Food vendors will be in attendance in addition to local restaurants.The city of Palmetto, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation, is conducting a feasibility study for possible "complete street" improvements on 10th Avenue. Complete Streets are designed and operated to enable safe, convenient and comfortable access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. This is part of an overall plan by the city of Palmetto to enhance multimodal mobility along the roadway.

FDOT staff will be at the Open Streets event to provide information and gather input regarding the study.

“The focus isn’t on driving from A to B anymore,” said Manatee County mobility coordinator Chris Speese. “It’s about designing a street that’s safe and comfortable for everyone, whether you’re on your bike, walking, riding a bus or in your car.”

The Manatee Millennial Movement (M3), an organization made up of Manatee County employees born between 1980-1995, wanted to create a sense of community and place while showcasing the hot button topic of mobility.

“The team saw no better location than the city of Palmetto and its eclectic community on 10th Avenue West,” said Madison Moyer, the M3 event planning lead. “We are thrilled and humbled to be working with a dedicated group from the city of Palmetto and appreciate their support.”

Similar to Cyclovia, Open Streets is a popular event that began in Bogotá, Colombia, where major city streets are temporarily closed every Sunday and re-purposed into safe and open, car-free environments.

For more information about Open Streets Manatee, contact Moyer at Madison.moyer@mymanatee.org or (512) 573-1136.

Image via Manatee County

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