‘Sundays on the Boulevard’ to Start Up Again This Sunday!

Second car-free season along Baxter Boulevard to

run from May 3 – October 25

Portland, Maine - Following a successful inaugural season last year, the second season of Sundays on the Boulevard will start this Sunday, May 3, 2015. Baxter Boulevard, with one of the best views in Portland, will once again be transformed into an urban oasis for bike riding, running, walking, skateboarding and other recreational activities. The road will be closed to cars on Sundays from May 3 through October 25, 9:00 AM – 4:00PM, from Vannah Avenue to Payson Park.

In order to gauge the success of the program, volunteers performed user counts last year on one Sunday prior to the closure and three Sundays when the closure was in effect. The Portland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee analyzed the data and concluded that there was a significant increase in users when the closure was in place – especially among bicyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers, scooter riders, and children.

“We heard and saw a lot of really positive feedback from citizens last year who enjoyed this recreational space – and we’re excited to see that the analysis from our user counts reinforces that,” said Michael Bobinsky, Portland Public Services Director. “We hope even more people can take advantage this year as we look forward to another great season of Sundays on the Boulevard.”

The program is part of a growing number of open street projects, in which streets are closed temporarily to auto traffic so that people may use them for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing and socializing. There are more than 100 documented initiatives across North America, according to the Open Streets Project.

The program also complements the City’s recently adopted Complete Streets policy, which aims to make streets more bike and pedestrian friendly. When Public Services undertakes redesigns of new roadways, pedestrians and cyclists are incorporated into the planning process.

In addition to the City, the effort is sponsored by the Back Cove Neighborhood Association, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the Portland Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Healthy Portland, and Portland Trails.

For more information, residents can call 207.874.8801 or visit www.boulevardsundays.com.