Memorial Drive party set for Aug. 23

The contentious one-day trial closing of part of Calgary's Memorial Drive for a pedestrian-friendly promenade has been scheduled for Aug. 23.

Spearheaded by Ald. Druh Farrell and the community of Hillhurst-Sunnyside, the Bow River Flow will see two lanes of busy Memorial Drive shut down to traffic between 10th and Third Streets.

The event is to encourage people to get out of their vehicles and enjoy the riverbanks and pathways along the Bow, organizers said at a news conferenceFriday.

The Sunday promenade will be available on Aug. 23 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for people to walk, run, Rollerblade and bike through the area.

"Look at how many Calgarians are staying in the city for the summer. They're seeking out ways to recreate in the city, so all of the festivals have seen a huge increase in attendance, and this one I expect will be no different," Farrell said.

The proposal sparked dissent this spring on city council and allegations of petty politics.

"I think it seemed like political opportunism, but it helped highlight the purpose of the event, which was to encourage active living, which is a good thing," Farrellsaid Friday.

"Our road system is built for capacity rush-hour traffic, and at the rest of the times, especially on the weekends in the summertime, we've got lots of capacity to share the road."

The closing of the street to vehicle traffic will coincide with a bicycle tour called Ride the Road, organized by the Calgary Tour de Nuit Society. Led by a police escort, the 14-kilometre ride will take cyclists through the neighbourhoods of Sunnyside, Bridgeland, Inglewood, Ramsay, Roxboro and Mission

"We're hoping that this is an event that's infectious," said Gerald Wheatley, a co-ordinating committee member of the Bow River Flow.

"[Ald.] Joe Ceci has already said he'd love to see it expanded along Memorial into Bridgeland, and we've had invites from other community associations to do the same in the other direction, so I think it's a point of pride."

Organizers hope to attract more than 10,000 people to the event. Depending on its success, the pilot project could become an annual festival.