Neighborhoods groups and the city of Seattle will team up again this year to create fun for residents on local streets and support nearby businesses through the Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets program. Starting in May and running through August, Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets events will be held in Ballard, Alki, Greenwood / Phinney Ridge and the Rainier Valley.

In its third year, Summer Streets events open up roads to pedestrians and bicyclists, offering people a way to have fun, celebrate the spirit and personality of their neighborhood, and support local businesses. Each of the four events is organized in partnership with a local group and is augmented, where appropriate, by other city activities such as Bicycle Sundays on Lake Washington Blvd (occurring almost every Sunday throughout the summer.)

“Families need affordable recreation opportunities that help build communities and Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets delivers by promoting biking, street sports, sightseeing, and visits to local establishments,” said Peter Hahn, acting director of SDOT. “Through the leadership of local groups, Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets promotes our neighborhoods and encourages people to walk and bike.”

Summer Streets partners for 2010 include: Cascade Bicycle Club, Feet First, Great City, the Greenwood / Phinney Chamber of Commerce, the Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Hospital, CoolMom, West Seattle High School PTSA and Public Health - Seattle and King County. City agencies such as the Seattle Police Department and Seattle Parks and Recreation are also partners in this effort.

“Rainier Avenue will become a pedestrian thoroughfare, at least for four hours,” said Susan Davis of the Rainier Chamber. “Already we have people and organizations lined up to participate. Thanks to SDOT, the Summer Streets party and the Rainier Chamber’s annual Rainier Valley Heritage Parade are now a tradition!” The Rainier Chamber says to expect a parade, music, food, street games, chess (bring your set) and street art.

Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets is modeled after similar successful events held in New York; San Francisco; Portland; Vancouver, British Columbia; and Bogota, Colombia.

“One of my favorite parts of Summer Streets is seeing toddlers drawing with chalk or riding their tricycles on the street without having to worry about their safety around cars,” said Terri Glaberson, executive director of CoolMom.

The following events will be held this year:

Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day and Summer Streets Party
Friday, May 21, 4 to 7 p.m.
Bergen Place Park and 22nd Avenue Northwest between Market Street and Ballard Avenue

West Seattle High School PTSA’s 5K Run / Alki and Seattle Summer Streets Party
Sunday, May 23, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Alki Avenue Southwest from California Way Southwest to 63rd Avenue Southwest

The Greenwood / Phinney Chamber’s Art Up / Open Up Summer Streets Party
Friday, August 13, 6 to 9 p.m.
Phinney / Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th to North 87th streets

Rainier Valley Chamber’s Heritage Parade and Summer Streets Party
Saturday, Aug. 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rainier Avenue South from South Orcas to South Alaska streets

Also Seattle Parks and Recreation holds Bicycle Sundays along Lake Washington Boulevard almost every weekend, including May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 27; July 5, 11, 18, 25; Aug 1, 22, 29; Sept 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Additional information about Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets is available at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/summerstreets.htm