It was a pretty amazing day folks! We had more than a whopping 25,400 people attend the Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways event. The Southeast Sunday Parkways took attendees through 7 miles of beautiful neighborhood, bringing participants through four activity hubs including the Universal Cycles Marketplace, Colonel Summers Park, Laurelhurst Park and Ivon Park. The sunny cool summer day brought out many families, friends, and neighbors hungry for a day full of fun, activity, biking and more.

The day started with the swinging symphony of sounds from the Carroll Raaum Swing Orchestra at Laurelhurst Park, which was soon followed by laughter and chatter as the streets and the park began to fill. The music continued with the entrance of Boys without Toys, followed by DJ Prashant who by mid-day had turned the park into a grassy dance floor. On Oak Street a record number of businesses and organizations offered an array of both food and food for thought. Near the Laurelhurst Pond an enclave of nonprofits provided a breadth of engagement opportunities on topics ranging from local renewable energy options to access to food for all Oregonians.  

The sounds of bluegrass, performed by The Mudtown Stompers, breezed bike riders and pedestrians into Ivon Park. Once there, if it wasn’t the sound of music you heard, it was likely the giggles of children enthralled in play at the Bouncy inflatable playhouse, at the Clif Kid station, or on the swing set.  

A slightly longer stretch brought one to Colonel Park, the event’s activity center, where the park was bustling with options that included the Northwest Trail Alliance bike skills track, Parks and Recreations Zumba classes, the Fit Body Boot Camp, along with the Spread Da’Love Basketball drills course that provide free school supplies for participants.

If that wasn’t enough, there was still one remaining activity hub to visit. Many finished there day at the Universal Cycles Marketplace where the Bike Transportation Alliance held a Block Party. The Block Party overflowed with music, coffee, delicious foods, smiles and even ran until 6 pm.

Overall, the day began and ended with music, laughter, sun and many many participants. A big thank goes out to all of our sponsors, donors, vendors, volunteers, entertainers, Police and flaggers for making this such a great event.

We hope you join us for the last event of the season on September 28^th. Until then, stay in the know or share your stories by joining us on Facebook and/or Twitter.