Neighborhood 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, Greenwood, Phinney Ridge, Alki 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.

“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,” Peter Hahn, acting director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, said in a press release. “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.

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 in the Ballard area this year:

Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day and Summer Streets Party

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 21 at Bergen Place Park and 22nd Avenue Northwest between Market Street and Ballard Avenue.

The Greenwood/Phinney Chamber’s Art Up/Open Up Summer Streets Party

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 13 at Phinney/Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th Street to North 87th Street.

Additional information about Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets is available here.