The Lawton Community presented the first ever “Open Streets Lawton-Fort Sill” on Saturday June 6th, 2015 from 8am-12pm. This event was brought to you by a multitude of community organizations. Open streets is a newer concept that turns city streets into a temporary public park with activities for the whole family to get people moving. Open Streets is a national movement with more than 90 documented initiatives in North America. Open streets events are increasingly common in cities seeking innovative ways to achieve environmental, social, economic, and public health goals by temporarily closing streets to automobile traffic, so that people may use them for walking, fitness classes, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing. Here are some valuable things that Open Streets brings to the community:

• Open Streets creates sense of community
• Open Streets promotes active lifestyle
• Open Streets promotes active transportation
• Open Streets aides in efforts for revitalization and economic development

 

We experienced this and more at Lawton’s first Open Streets. Over 60 organizations were involved and over 3,500 people were in attendance downtown along C Avenue from 2nd to 5th Street. Everything from Giant Board Games and Food Trucks to Shopping and the Farmers Market could be found downtown. Be on the lookout for Open Streets events throughout future years