The streets around Stony Plain Road and 151 Street were unusually quiet during rush hour yesterday thanks to Active Edmonton’s Car Free Day celebrations.
Event organizers, along with the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Association, called it Parked and blocked 151 Street between 100 and 102 avenues off to vehicles from 3 to 7 p.m.
They encouraged people to come out and enjoy free, family fun activities, food and learn about eco-friendly and active ways of getting around, living and exercising.
“I think this event is great because it encourages people to think about how they travel,” said Dot Laing, Active Edmonton’s program co-ordinator.
“It puts the seed in their mind.”
Laing admits that Edmonton is a winter city and it’s tough to convince people to leave the car at home, but she said events like Parked make people think about it a little more.
“I wouldn’t expect people to stop driving,” she said. “But if we can just plant that seed in their brain and get them to think about their own active living, it helps.
“Baby steps,” she said.
