Open Streets Minneapolis – Sustainable Transportation, Seward Businesses and Even Cute Dogs

Well, the Open Streets Minneapolis Franklin Avenue event was certainly a success. It was filled with local produce, Seward businesses, bicyclists, pedestrians, Nice Rides, concessionaires, cute dogs, a puppet show and even a player piano. Rain did clear some people out but that didn’t happen until well over 4 hours into it.

One thing I love about Twin Cities events like this is the way they often tie in local community projects and businesses. It allows you to have an enjoyable time while learning more about the area.

I was certainly happy to see this tweet from Metro Transit beforehand.

Because of this, we were all able to take the Blue Line LRT for free on Sunday which I took and landed us right in the middle of the event. Here’s the pass that I simply took a screenshot of with my phone.

For transit, there were certainly many others options as well. Nice Ride has 5 stations right within the event’s boundaries.

I just downloaded the OMG Transit app and it gave be great info if I wanted to use these Nice Rides from basically right outside my condo at Gateway Park.

Thanks to Matt from OMG Transit, I used their directions feature to enter an address close to Open Streets’ participant Tracy’s Saloon on Franklin where my friend Rob is a co-owner. It gave me what appears to be the quickest route at this particular time.

You can always use Car2Go. I use this program often as there are often cars located just a block away or so from my home location.

They had a presence at Open Streets as well. They were very informative, had a couple cars out there to give potential users an easy in-person, visual demonstration of how the process works, and even provided nice SWAG like promotional T-shirts and convenient shades.

Speaking of the Open Streets on Franklin, there were a few compelling projects and businesses to see.

Bikeways for Everyone is a community project which aims to increase and improve bicycle lanes to make them safer and more comfortable for riders. This is one example of them promoting protected bicycle lanes with curbs over just the green painted strips.

The Seward Community Co-op has been really popular since the opening of their current location in 2009 (although they have been in business since 1972). They were selling grilled foods at the Zipp’s Liquors music stage along with others setting up shop, including Harriet Brewing.

They also had an informational booth a couple blocks to the west with some nice SWAG including a round Seward Co-op sticker I proudly wore all day.

They’re really easy to get to by almost any mode of transit, and I’m a fan of their willingness to shelf local products. They take on Ella’s Heavenly Hunks natural treats, Jonny Pops frozen pops, and Luv Ice Cream, just to name a few.

I made a new doggie friend at the Fun City Dogs tent. While speaking with Taylor for a while, he gave a great overview of their dog daycare program. It’s a cage-free facility with both large outdoor and indoor areas where the dogs can play and rest. They even specifically use dog beds and rugs on the floor to accommodate dogs who aren’t allowed on regular couches and beds.

They’re located right off of the Hiawatha Trail and one block south of the Franklin Ave LRT station. Both the trail and LRT are certainly dog friendly, although you do need to keep dogs in carriers when you use Metro Transit buses or trains unless it’s a service dog.

A few of you know that I’m fond of objectively reading local online reviews while using public transit. Here are a couple reviews of businesses and projects that represented at Open Streets.

Google+ for SPOKES Bike/Walk Connect:

Yelp for More Than a Bicycle/Recovery Bike Shop:

Did you attend the Franklin Ave Open Streets Minneapolis event and what form of transportation did you use? What other events do you use transit for? Open Streets certainly made options readily available and convenient. We’d love to hear from you and your experiences.