West Hartford Community Enjoys ‘Center Streets’ Block Party
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Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
The sixth Center Streets drew a crowd as a loop around West Hartford Center was closed to vehicular traffic for several hours on Sunday.
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
They came by bike – including bikes with training wheels, three wheelers, and on recumbent bicycles – they came by scooter, they came on rollerblades, they came in strollers, and they came on foot, some came with dogs – and with a loop around West Hartford Center closed to vehicle traffic for several hours Sunday, the community enjoyed what many have called a “block party on wheels” held traditionally on the Sunday before school resumes.
Center Streets organizer Ethan Frankel said the attendance “feels about the same, maybe a little more” than in past years, when it had been estimated that between 1,500 to 2,000 people participated in the event. It’s hard to estimate since people are constantly on the move.
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The event started at 9 a.m., and by 10 a.m. “it started hopping,” said Frankel. That was when the music began, headlined by Corey Rieman and the Dilemma Band on Farmington Avenue, with the Hartford Hot Several Brass Band also performing on Unity Green.
Between 10 a.m. and noon, the giant puppets from “Nightfall” also strolled through the Center, delighting children of all ages. Sponsors Bike West Hartford, BiCiCo, Feast & Fettle, CRCOG, and Berkshire Bike and Board (previously Bloomfield Bike), all had booths at Center Streets – filling bike tires with air, doing some minor repairs, and handing out information.
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“It’s great to see kinds out here riding bikes, and to see kids without their parents,” he said, noting that it was a safe space for children to hang out play with their friends. “It’s nice to see people out. I end up smiling for four hours straight.”
In addition to doing loops around the road and listening to music, chalk was available for drawing in the road, and there were hula hoops, corn hole, and other games for people to enjoy.
“Bike West Hartford advocates for safe streets,” Frankel said, and an event like Center Streets gives people a chance to safely enjoy cycling and pedestrian activities.
Organizer Ethan Frankel (right) speaks with attendees at Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Town leaders are trying, he said. “We have the Complete Streets, but it’s not enough,” he said, noting there needs to be a broader picture and consideration of connectivity between West Hartford and Hartford, the reservoir, Newington, etc. According to the town website, “The goal of the Complete Street Policy is to ensure our Town roadways complement and enhance the surrounding land use and neighborhood character and accommodate all users, including drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit patrons, older residents, children and persons with mobility impairments.”
“It’s not just about bikes, it’s about people using alternate transportation that sustainable,” said Frankel.
Michael Cantor and Mayor Shari Cantor. Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mayor Shari Cantor and her husband arrived at Center Streets by bicycle.
“What a wonderful way to kick off the academic school year – enjoying our vibrant Center on bicycles with the street closures,” she said.”This event is really unique and special, and it’s a joy to watch children of all ages ride safely with friends and family.
“I want to thank the many volunteers and town staff that make this great event possible,” Cantor said.
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Roads were closed to vehicles for the duration of the Center Streets event in a rectangular loop that included Farmington Avenue (from LaSalle Road to South Main Street), the southbound lanes of South Main Street to the Memorial Road extension, the Memorial Road extension to LaSalle Road, and the entire stretch of LaSalle Road up to Farmington Avenue.
Although the Town of West Hartford personnel are physically involved in closing off the streets, the event is entirely run by volunteers and is a public-private partnership with all costs paid for by sponsors.
The Blue Back Farmer’s Market, held each Sunday from, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot, also got into the spirit go Center Streets, offering a bike rodeo on Sunday morning.
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The only motorized vehicles were the police on their “bikes.” Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mayor Shari Cantor with Town Council member Ben Wenograd. Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets. West Hartford Center. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Bike rodeo at the Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Blue Back Farmer’s Market. Aug. 27, 2023. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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