On a random hot Sunday sometime in the summer of 2018, we learned that there would be a car-less Sunday in parts of the downtown core of Toronto called Open Strees TO. Err…what? Say no more, we’re coming!
So, for no other reason than to experience what a big city without cars looks and feels like, we made our way there and walked around. That was the entire game plan. It appeared it was not the entire city without cars though, only Yonge and Bloor streets, but you know what, it was enjoyable. There were plenty people afoot; crazy people, relaxing people, running people, fashionable people, dancing people, happy people…many peoples.
And that’s really all there was to it. We walked around, had some refreshments, saw some street performances, looked at people…and went home again. It was a nice afternoon and we burned calories alright, but it was just that.
It would have been cool if the city put some effort into such a rare phenomenon, and had more entertainment organized. Make it a street festival. Small business and street vendors will love the foot traffic. And you’d surely be quicker from one place to the next on foot as walking still seems to be faster than transit. Viva Toronto.
Leave a Reply