East Lake Street Open Streets 2015 Photo Collage

Photos by MARGIE O'LOUGHLIN The first-ever East Lake Open Streets took place on Sun., Aug. 2. The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition estimated the crowd size at more than 15,000, with almost 150 businesses, artists and community groups taking part.  Pretty safe to say, it’ll be happening again next year! Photo left: Representatives of Save the Boundary Waters gathered support to fight sulfur-ore copper mining in the north woods. Pictured is the canoe pulled by bicycle across Minnesota by Dave and Amy Freeman to bring awareness to this issue.   

Photo right: One of many ethnic dance performances that took place at Lake and Minnehaha throughout the day—the intersection now being referred to as “Downtown Longfellow.”

  Photo left: On the Longfellow end, people came out strong to try fun, and summery foods like peach-nasturtium popsicles hand-made at Miller Upholstery (3614 E. Lake St.).

Photo right and below: The inter-section of Hiawatha and Lake is coming under serious scrutiny. Options being explored to improve safety for all include: -Shortening pedestrian crossings -Adding dedicated bike lanes -Eliminating free right turns for vehicles -Improving lighting, signage and signal timings for bicyclists and pedestrians -Converting empty, open spaces for productive use -Exploring alternate routes for highway entrances and exits

NEIGHBORHOOD FACES