Open Newbury kicks off summer series to last through September

Newbury Street closed to cars and welcomed a wealth of pedestrian traffic Sunday kicking off a series of summer activities as part of the city s Open Streets events Opening our streets makes it practicable for residents to engage with their neighborhood in a new way or to explore a new part of the City for the first time explained Jascha Franklin-Hodge Boston Chief of Streets We ve seen how local communities can flourish when we create a safe atmosphere for walking biking and recreation Open Newbury started off Sunday and will occur every Sunday through Sept skipping only Aug During the events Newbury Street closes to car traffic and encourages businesses to activate their outdoor spaces with services such as family-friendly sessions pop-up parklets and brand activations Newbury Street in Back Bay closes for a mile-long eight-block stretch from Berkeley St to Mass Ave during the events to allow for the outdoor dining shopping and more Parking is banned along the passage beginning at a m on the Sundays and the street closes to cars from a m to p m Open Newbury was launched first as a pilot in and has grown every year since to incorporate more small business and resident activities The restaurants retailers and institution businesses along the iconic street and the entire Back Bay area benefit from the exposure that Open Newbury provides and through the draw of new visitors especially those who may not otherwise shop or dine in the neighborhood announced Meg Mainzer-Cohen president of the Back Bay Association Open Newbury is scheduled to return for one winter Sunday on Dec for holiday shopping The city also holds Open Streets events at neighborhoods across the city on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer and fall months from a m to p m The Open Streets launched in in just Dorchester Jamaica Plain and Roxbury and now includes five neighborhoods Roxbury hosted the first Open Streets event of the season Saturday The initiatives is set to continue in Hyde Park on Aug Dorchester on Sept Mattapan on Oct and Jamaica Plain on Nov The initiatives varies across the neighborhoods but each event includes food trucks face painting balloon animals crafts interactive games photo installations particular performances and activations and Pedicabs city leaders stated When we see streets shut down to car traffic district gets to take over small businesses have tables out in the street kids are running back and forth music dancing food it s the best of what our general spaces look like stated Mayor Michelle Wu Open Streets is all about creating opportunities for neighbors to spend time together and show off everything that makes your neighborhood special to deepen relationships on your block and across communities More information on the Open Streets series and Open Newbury can be determined on the boston gov Boston MA - People walk down Newbury St during the Open Streets event Sunday Nancy Lane Boston Herald