Sunday Parkways

Sunday Parkways is a community event encouraging physical activity which is specifically designed to overcome the security and economic problems that prevent members of Chicago's Latino and African American communities from being active in their environment. Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Little Village in Chicago are fighting disproportionately high rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. Regular physical activity is vital to combating these health problems.

Building on the model of Bogotá Colombia's successful Ciclovía, the Sunday Parkway event closes down the streets in the center of the community to cars for a few hours every Sunday and opens them up to pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters, etc. Active Transportation Alliance partnered with five community based organizations and the Chicago Community Trust to open eight miles of streets on Chicago's West Side from Logan Square to Little Village for two Sunday events in 2008 and one in 2009. The route passed through three of Chicago's lush parks and, in essence, extended to open living space of the park to the entire city. Event patrons are encouraged to use bicycles to explore the entire area that is opened on the designated Sundays. Yoga, dance and aerobics classes are led by volunteer instructors in outdoor spaces.

To bring a culture of physical activity to the Latino and African-American communities in Chicago in order to decrease health problems related to inactivity.

The 2008 and 2009 pilot events had a high community turn out, revitalizing effects on the local economy and provided a safe space for physical activity for community members. Sunday Parkway events are being planned for 2010.