Walkin' Boulder
By Sue Deans
The former editor of the Camera blogs about exploring Boulder on foot.

September 18, 2011

I am just starting to do some serious walking again. I gave myself a week off to recuperate from the half marathon in Anaheim, but last week when I planned to get started again, I had to deal with some family issues that kept me driving back and forth to Thornton and Westminster. My dad was in the hospital twice after a serious fall and pneumonia, and now is recuperating in the medical center at the seniors complex where he lives. He seems to be recovering quickly but at almost 86 he’s pretty impatient with therapy and dietary restrictions!

On Sunday, Sept. 18, I decided just after noon to walk downtown and check out the second annual Ciclovia, a project of Boulder Green Streets that closed off Pearl Street to auto traffic between 15th Street and Folsom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stroll of a little more than 3 miles was pleasant – the weather was beautiful and it felt good to be out stretching my muscles again.

I’ve always loved the way many old cities in Europe have closed off their narrow streets to traffic. Our four-block Pearl Street pedestrian mall is a good example of how that can work to bring people downtown.

Pearl was barricaded at 15th Street, and just beyond were some lovely dancers who drew a crowd of onlookers.

For the most part, the crowds weren’t too large when I visited between 12:30 and 1:30, but I’m told they increased a little later as a fashion show and parade created more excitement.

Lots of kids’ activities were going on, such as chalking the street, hula hoops, a climbing wall, a kayak pool and a bike riding course – even baton twirling! I didn’t know people did that any more.

Pedicabs were available to transport people back to their starting points, or cars, or wherever. What a great idea to chauffeur senior citizens short distances, especially if they are carrying bags of groceries or packages from shopping.

Most of the food was down toward Folsom. A tentful of vendors gave out samples of their wares, a few food trucks stood by, and Hanuman Chai was baking cookies in this solar oven!

I walked back westward along Spruce Street because it was shadier, but moved over to Pearl at about 16th Street when I heard a loudspeaker announcement about the parade coming up later. There I saw Rotary colleague Alexia Parks, who told me a “green” fashion show was about to start so I hung around for a few more minutes. Emcee Ryan Van Duser, Boulder’s “out there guy,” kept the commentary lively. The clothes included “eco-fabrics,” local designers, vintage and active wear.

I had been in the sun long enough, so decided not to stay for the parade. The festivities continued until 4 p.m. I’m sure a good time was had by all!