Vancouver's Lively Summer Streets

With organizations like VIVA Vancouver, Vancouver streets are never dull.

In efforts to reduce car usage and enhance sense of community, Vancouver has been sprucing up streets and public spaces for the past couple of years.

Here's what you can expect for the summer of 2013:

Viva Granville:

Viva Vancouver brings events to Granville St and closes it off to vehicles every weekend in the summer until Labour Day:

Carnaval del Sol: July 6-7
HUB Bike Rodeo: July 13 & August 10
MoV Upcycled Urbanism: July 13
Swing Dancing: July 14 & August 4
Five Hole For Food: July 20
Telus Go Cafe: July 20-21
Axe Capoeira: July 28
TaiwanFest: August 31 - Sept 2
QR Code Treasure Hunt: July 6 - August 25

Robson St Seating Installation

Started in 2011, VIVA Vancouver has been closing off the 800 block of Robson St to pedestrians only for seating installations. Changing every year, with the "urban beach" in 2011 and Pop Rocks in 2012, this year it's Corduroy Road. 

2012 Pop Rocks Installation

2013 Corduroy Road (via @Viva_Van on Twitter)

Sunday Afternoon Salsa @ Robson Square

Free salsa dance lessons every Sunday until August 25. Great experience and great way of having fun and meeting new people! 

Parklet Pilot Program

VIVA Vancouver has invited businesses to build their own parklets this year, which are parking spaces that have been transformed into "mini plazas". These parklets remove parking spaces but really enhance the atmosphere of the sidewalks around Vancouver.

Rainbow Crosswalk @ Davie/Bute

In celebration of the LGBT community, Vancouver will be painting a permanent rainbow crosswalk at the Davie/Bute intersection, just in time for Vancouver's pride festivities.

Keys to the Street

Launched by CityStudio in collaboration with the City of Vancouver, there are now 4 public pianos around the City of Vancouver, inviting the public to come try it out, whether you're a musician or not. This project was inspired by similar projects in other cities like in Montreal, Toronto, and London.

(via CBC news)

Locations of pianos (from citystudiovancouver.com)

Yaletown Farmer's Market

Every Thursday, mid-August to end of September


Enjoy the festive atmosphere of Vancouver by wandering the streets this summer!


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