You may have heard about a Car Free Sunday happening this weekend in Courtenay and Cumberland from 1 to 5 p.m.
Car Free Days are celebrated around the world to provide opportunities to the public to experience streets in a creative, non-motorized way. It is a people-oriented celebration characterized by free family-oriented activities for all to enjoy.
Car Free Days are a growing phenomenon around the world. It is estimated that over 1,500 communities around the world will celebrate World Car Free Day this year, which occurs annually in late September.
A combination of vendors, workshops, demonstrations, art displays, musical performances, street theatre, street sports and community engagement forums are all encouraged on Car Free Sunday. The specifics of each area is being managed by the community co-ordinator assigned for that area.
If you are a business, you should expect increased pedestrian traffic. Cars will not be permitted to park in front of your store whether you choose to participate in the event or not.
A Market Days atmosphere is expected depending on the number of businesses that choose to participate. Please note that traffic is permitted through key intersections.
Commercial activities will be concentrated in and around the downtown areas of each community. Street sports, fitness classes and all other activities will be distributed elsewhere along the route.
If you are a resident, you will also see more pedestrian traffic outside your home along with more strollers, rollerbladers, cyclists, skateboarders and other non-motorized transportation modes. You will see fewer vehicles, as none will be permitted to park along the route, including your own vehicle.
You will be asked to park your car in allotted areas before the event and can return to your vehicle shortly after 5 p.m. This applies only to vehicles that would normally be parked on the street.
You're invited to “like” the event and/or join the conversation on Facebook: First Ever Comox Valley Car Free Sunday.
For more information or volunteer, visit www.imaginecomoxvalley.ca.
A significant amount of work has been invested by dedicated and professional individuals to see this idea become a reality. Comox Valley Car Free Sunday has been spearheaded by the non-profit group Imagine Comox Valley, which promotes creativity and sustainability in community decision making.
— Imagine Comox Valley