Fitness hits the streets with Summer Parkways

Spokane Summer Parkways, now in its second year, brought skaters, bike riders and walkers to the residential streets near Manito and Comstock parks Wednesday night.

The free event – a kind of a rolling street party – featured dance and other fitness offerings along its circular route. It will be followed by two parkways celebrations on the North Side this summer.

The next one will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 24 and will go through Clark Park at Division Street and Garland Avenue to Franklin and Ruth parks a few miles north.

The last parkways of the season will take place Aug. 14 during the same hours from Audubon Park on Northwest Boulevard north to Webster Park and Albi Stadium.

Part of the route will enter Albi Stadium from a ramp on the north side where some of the activities are likely to be stationed.

Streets are closed to vehicles to give participants full use of the pavement. However, residents living on the route may come and go by vehicle through intersections being monitored by volunteers.

Spokane is among a growing number of cities in the U.S. hosting street events to celebrate nonmotorized mobility and fitness.

Two inaugural Spokane events last summer between Riverfront and Corbin parks drew nearly 2,500 people, organizers said.

Residential routes were chosen this year because at last year’s events the participants appeared to favor areas in and adjacent to Corbin Park rather than the environment closer to Riverfront Park, said organizer Bill Bender.

Bender said he is hoping the crowds will increase this year as word gets out about the free family fun.