How can the City of Hamilton help groups successfully engage at Open Streets?
Open Streets Hamilton is part of a global movement that works to transform car-dominated urban streets into temporary people places. This is done by closing down the streets to vehicles, while 'opening' it up to residents, businesses, and community groups who explore, animate, and experience the street safely as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboards, and other active transportation users.
Challenge: Open Streets is a growing movement and continues to see expansion across the City. In 2024, thousands of people participated in 2 Open Streets events and the City of Hamilton wants to make it as open, accessible, and inclusive as possible. We rely heavily on the participation of community partners, such as businesses, community groups, not-for-profits, recreational clubs, ethno-cultural groups, and more to engage with participants along the route.
Goal/Deliverables:
Explore what community groups, organizations and businesses should be invited to attend and activate at Open Streets to provide an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible event for City of Hamilton residents and visitors.
Objectives:
List of prospective community partners/organizations to invite to an Open Streets Activation Hub.
Create an Activator toolkit to help groups successfully engage at Open Streets through defined parameters and examples
City Staff: Laura Buckley, Program Coordinator, Open Streets & Events
Deliverables: Primary Research, Secondary Research, Activator Toolkit
