Minnehaha Ave. closed Sunday for 'Open Streets'

Part of Minnehaha Avenue in south Minneapolis will be closed to vehicles on Sunday as part the city's series of Open Streets events.

Colin Harris of the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition says the events give people a new perspective.

"There'll be an opportunity for people to bike, to walk, to explore their neighborhood street and experience their neighborhood in a new way," Harris said. "All the businesses up and down the street are really excited to have this happen -- to have people biking and walking and traveling at a speed at which they can look around and see the businesses that are there."

The events are inspired by policies in countries including Colombia and Mexico that close off certain streets to cars on Sundays and holidays to make way for bicycles and pedestrians.

Many U.S. cities are also trying it, Harris said.

"These events are really gaining traction in North America as ways to increase recreation among people of all ages and abilities, to see our streets as public space," Harris said. "People from around the country are coming to Minneapolis this weekend to learn from this event."

This year Minneapolis is holding four Open Streets events. Sunday's event will take place along Minnehaha Avenue between Lake Street and Minnehaha Parkway from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The last Open Streets event of the year will take place in September on Lowry Avenue North.