Open Streets Macon 2020 was a success!
We brought Open Streets to the neighborhoods! Due to COVID-19, this year’s Open Streets’ was reformatted to adhere to recommended best practices. In the place of one, miles-long route, Open Streets was divided into three smaller routes aimed at engaging the immediate neighborhood communities located on and around the following routes:
Sunday, September 20th, Maynard St.
Sunday, October 18th, Monroe/Tattnall St.
Sunday, November 15th , Second St.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Hundreds of people joined us for Open Streets Macon this fall! Whether you walked, played, dance, biked, chalked, skated, or laughed with us, we thank you for enjoying our streets in a healthier, more creative way!
Would you like to see Open Streets Macon happen more often? In more Macon neighborhoods? Share your feedback with us by completing the brief online survey.
Macon Residents Helped Us Transform Our Streets
In order to get the community involved involved with our initiative, we hosted cookouts for all three routes! Residents told us their biggest barriers to transportation and what Bike Walk Macon could do to help. We also received community input on the proposed tactical urbanism projects that would be completed at Open Streets. Members of the Pleasant Hill Community even designed and implemented one traffic calming project themselves!
Maynard Street September 20th
Open Streets 2020 kicked off at Maynard Street. 750 people joined us with a total of 19 activity partners. Randy Heart completed this traffic calming project. Be sure to ride through Maynard Street and see the completed design.
Monroe/Tattnall Street October 18th
Our second neighborhood activation at Monroe/Tattnall had approximately 700 people and 29 activity partners. The Pleasant Hill Neighborhood association painted this "Pleasant Hill Proud" mural at the entrance of their neighborhood. Beautiful bumpouts were also painted at the intersection of Chestnut & Tattnall St.
Second Street November 15th
Our last 2020 activation did not disappoint. 316 people took part in the activities that our 18 activity partners planned for them. Our wonderful team of committee members and volunteers painted these bright crosswalks in front of Memorial Gym.
2020 Highlights
STREETLINE PERCUSSION
This amazing group of performers brought incredible talent to our Open Streets event. They performed multiple times along the routes and had participants dying to see them perform.
BIG WEIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Big Weight Entertainment was a staple at all three open streets. They provided live performances, energy and assistance in setup and cleanup. This group was extremely helpful in the community engagement beforehand, ensuring that we had smooth events in all of our neighborhoods.
Ageless Steppers
These line dancers brought life to all three Open Streets with their family friendly dancing and great energy!
Macon Bibb Transit Authority's New Electric Bus
The transit authority was so kind as to have their new electric bus parked along the route all day for tours.
Washington Memorial Library's Book Bike
Washington Memorial Library displayed their new library on wheels and led our bike parade that rode down the route!
What Makes Open Streets Magical
DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS
Open Streets relies on volunteers to complete traffic calming projects, distribute surveys, assist activity partners and more. We would not have been able to pull this off without them.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The committee members do all the prep and post work for Open Streets. Our event takes weeks of planning and dedication by all of our committee members. They are one of the main reasons Open Streets is able to run smoothly.
ACTIVITY PARTNERS
Activity Partners are local businesses or organizations that provide programming during every Open Streets. They are the HIGHLIGHT of Open Streets, from yoga to musical performances, their creativity and support is what makes this program so fun and impactful.
SPONSORS
Open Streets Macon is a collaborative effort. Special thanks to our 2020 Sponsors - Downtown Challenge, AARP, Macon-Bibb County Parks and Beautification, and Corporate Connection.