When you were a kid, how many times did your mom interrupt play time with, “Hey, make sure you stay out of the street!”? You might have even said it to your own kiddos, but Open Streets Columbus challenges you to think differently. On September 13, think climbing walls, Pop-up Yoga, shuffle board and gigantic scrabble boards—all along Fourth Street, right downtown.



The second annual Open Streets Columbus event promises to turn 4th Street (between Main and Broad) into an urban playground from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. Open Streets initiatives temporarily close streets to automobile traffic so that people may use them for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing and socializing.

More than 100 Open Streets’ initiatives pop up across the U.S. and Canada every year. People traffic replaces car traffic, and the streets become ‘paved parks’ where people of all ages, abilities, and social, economic, or ethnic backgrounds come out and improve their mental, physical and emotional health.

For those who have a hard time picturing a yoga class or a huge climbing wall in the middle of a downtown street, take a look at some of the photos from last year’s event.

So, mark your calendars to come out and play!