For press inquiries while the event is in progress tomorrow, contact Lauren Hitt, (443) 370-3205, lauren.hitt@phila.gov
For Office of Emergency Management questions during the event: Jeff Kolakowski, (215) 439-3887, Jeffrey.Kolakowski@Phila.gov

Media Guidance for Tomorrow’s Philly Free Streets

(Philadelphia)- The people-powered initiative of the City of Philadelphia, Philly Free Streets, will be back tomorrow from 8AM – 1PM. Philly Free Streets temporarily closes streets to cars, inviting people to walk, bike, and play. Philly Free Streets is completely free and open to the public.

All ages are welcome. Participants are welcome to walk, bike, or stroll a 7-mile round trip car-free route connecting Philadelphia’s Historic District and El Centro de Oro.

• The day begins at 8am with a formal ribbon cutting at 3^rd and Chestnut Streets, led by City officials, City Council members, and sponsors.
• At 9am, Mayor Kenney will join participants in a Philly Free Streets power walk for the length of the route, starting out at 3^rd & Chestnut Streets.
• Operational details, including parking and transit information, can be found here.
• Additional information can be found at the Philly Free Streets website.
• Along the Philly Free Streets route, participants are asked to use the street as if it were a two-way street, with bi-directional people-powered traffic. Slower “traffic” should keep right of their lane, while people on wheels should keep left.
• People on wheels should keep a safe speed—take time to enjoy the experience and to take in the sights. There is no formal starting or stopping place—join in the fun anywhere along the route, anytime during the program.

Here is a full schedule of Philly Free Streets programming:

Independence Activity Zone (S. 3rd & Chestnut Streets)

• 8AM – 9AM: Philly Free Streets ribbon cutting
• 9AM: Kick-off of Philly Free Streets power walk with Mayor Jim Kenney
• 10AM: Boot Camp & Cardio with Sweat Fitness
• 11AM: Contemporary dance by Nia-Next, Jr. Company of Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble
• 12PM: Yoga with Sweat Fitness
• Say “Cheese!” with AARP Pennsylvania! Take a selfie—or a group picture—at their photo booth.
• Free Library of Philadelphia’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Join us for a bling-your-name-in-braille necklace craft and to explore materials we lend to our user groups. You’re invited to apply for a library card to LBPH and to the Free Library of Philadelphia.
• Need a bike? Check out Indego here.
• Want to stay awhile? Bike parking available.

​Mural Arts Philadelphia: Liberty Lands Cinema Verde (Liberty Lands Park on N. 3rd Street, north of Poplar Street) 
Want to learn more about this mural?  Say hello to Mural Arts Philadelphia!

Green City Activity Zone (N. 3rd Street & Germantown Avenue)

• Join us at Green City to uncover what makes Philly green! Enjoy a glass of water and learn more about how our city is planning for a greener future. Programming provided by Philadelphia Water Department, Office of Sustainability, and Inspire.
• Need a bike? Check out Indego here.
• Want to stay awhile? Bike parking available.

​Mural Arts Philadelphia: Doorways to Peace/Windows to Peace (Al Aqsa Islamic Society at Germantown Avenue & Oxford Street) 
Want to learn more about this mural?  Say hello to Mural Arts Philadelphia!

Pedestrian plaza (N. 4th Street & Germantown Avenue)

• ​Come play with Parks & Rec in a pop-up public space, a pedestrian plaza! This pedestrian plaza was designed in collaboration with Al Aqsa Islamic Society, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and OTIS.
• Come learn about Mural Arts Education after-school programs for youth, ages 10-18, and make a button! Young artists will also be here making skateboards—come say hi!
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Vision Zero Safety Zone (N. 5th Street & Germantown Avenue)​

• ​Passport to Safety: Join us here for fun safety lessons for you and your kids. Collect all the stamps in your passport to safety and redeem a prize!
• Basic bike repairs & tune-ups with Neighborhood Bike Works
• Pedestrian plaza with information from APM. This pedestrian plaza was designed in collaboration with APM, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and oTIS.
• Need a bike? Check out Indego here.
• Want to stay awhile? Bike parking available.

​Mural Arts Philadelphia: Camilla’s Dream (Northeast corner of N. 5th & Norris Streets) 
Want to learn more about this mural? Say hello to Mural Arts Philadelphia!

Handball demonstrations by APM (Rainbow de Colores Park on west side of N. 5th Street, south of York Street)

• ​10AM: 16 & under – doubles demonstration
• 11AM: Women & girls doubles demonstration
• 12PM: Adult male doubles demonstration

​Mural Arts Philadelphia: El Corazon Culture Del Barrio (Southeast corner of N. 5th & Huntingdon Streets) 
Want to learn more about this mural?  Say hello to Mural Arts Philadelphia!

​Gateway to El Centro de Oro by Taller Puertorriqueño, Found in Fairhill, Providence Center, & more! (Huntingdon Street)
Join us for family-friendly activities, including jewelry-making, book-making, community storytelling, & much more!

• 9:30AM: Latin fusion hip-hop – Come dance with us!
• 10:30AM: Latin fusion hip-hop – Come dance with us!
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Parklet (2710 N. 5th Street, just north of Lehigh Avenue)
Parklets are public spaces that use a parking space or two. Check out a pop-up parklet at HACE! This parklet was designed in collaboration with HACE, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and OTIS.

Mural painting (Somerset Street – west)
Join Mural Arts Philadelphia to paint a mural! This mural was designed in collaboration with HACE, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and N. 5th Street community members.

North Philadelphia Neighborhood Libraries (Somerset Street – east) 
Enjoy a book in the Lillian Marrero Library reading nook and learn more about the newly renovated 21st Century Lillian Marrero Library at N. 6th St. & Lehigh Avenue, which is reopening on November 18.

​Flavor of the Barrio Activity Zone by Taller Puertorriqueño and HACE (N. 5th Street & Indiana Avenue)
Join us here to celebrate Philadelphia’s Latino culture!

• ​9AM – 1PM: Philadelphia Museum of Art presents art activities for children
• 9AM : Latin dance classes
• 10AM: Capoeira (on street)
• 10AM: Zumba with Peter Watts Fitness (stage)
• 11AM – 11:30AM: Ula ula dance
• 11AM – 11:30AM: Stilt walking
• 11:30AM – 12:30PM: Music bomba and dance
• Want to stay awhile? Bike parking available.

Led by the Managing Director’s Office of Transportation & Infrastructure Systems (oTIS), Philly Free Streets highlights active transportation options, as well as neighborhood walkability and its positive impacts on public health, the environment, business, and the community.  The October 2017 Philly Free Streets program is generously sponsored by Visit PHILADELPHIA, AARP Pennsylvania, and Inspire. Additional support has been generously provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.