We had a HUGE time at Charlotte’s first-ever Open Streets 704 event! Let’s be honest, you don’t always get the opportunity to work on projects that are going to have this kind of impact on your own hometown. We were lucky enough to get the nod from Mecklenburg County Park and Rec and the Mecklenburg County Health Department to do the media and marketing for Open Streets 704. And we got the double treat of getting to take part in the May 1st event. Kinda cool to be a part of Charlotte history.
The “official” count was over 350 smiles per hour along the route, but anecdotally, we’re sure there were WAY more than that. Not the least of which was on the face of Jim Garges, director of Mecklenburg County Park and Rec. And the estimated 10,000 people out there would likely agree. Open Streets 704 was not only a game changer, it was also an attitude changer. And that was always part of the plan; to not just host an “event” but have folks see their city streets from a whole new perspective. (Check out some of the details on the sweet-looking infographic below!)
What really set this program apart was the collaboration. We’ve done plenty of group work and get high marks in the “plays well with others” category, but this Open Streets 704 team was extraordinary. Folks from departments all over the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, and other “must-haves” dropped their egos at the door to make this one a reality. It’s always great to work alongside friends the Health Department, Park and Rec, Charlotte B-Cycle, and the Savage Way, and WeeklyRides.com whom we’ve shared success with in the past. Even better to do so with the new friends we made from the Knight Foundation, the City of Charlotte, Partners for Parks, and Sustain Charlotte.
Are we looking forward to the next Open Streets 704? You bet! (Psst! The next one’s coming up in October. Follow along at http://openstreets704.com
