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South Street bustles during Philly Free Streets event

  • South Street from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River was closed to motorized vehicles for five hours Saturday for Philadelphia's first Free Streets day.

    South Street from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River was closed to motorized vehicles for five hours Saturday for Philadelphia's first Free Streets day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Two police officers sit on a barrier in the middle of a closed South Street, which was closed to vehicles Saturday morning.

    Two police officers sit on a barrier in the middle of a closed South Street, which was closed to vehicles Saturday morning. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Joggers take off for a morning run over a car-free South Street during the Philly Free Streets Day.

    Joggers take off for a morning run over a car-free South Street during the Philly Free Streets Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A large number of cyclists, runners, and pedestrians took the opportunity to ride, glide and walk over a car-free South Street during Philly Free Streets day on Saturday.

    A large number of cyclists, runners, and pedestrians took the opportunity to ride, glide and walk over a car-free South Street during Philly Free Streets day in 2017. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Javese Phelps-Washington, a Sanitation Enforcement Officer with the City, yells encouraging words to all the cyclists and runners at 21st and South streets.

    Javese Phelps-Washington, a Sanitation Enforcement Officer with the City, yells encouraging words to all the cyclists and runners at 21st and South streets. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Basic bicycle tune-ups are performed by youth mechanics of Neighborhood Bike Works.

    Basic bicycle tune-ups are performed by youth mechanics of Neighborhood Bike Works. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • People try to find their swing dance moves at a Philly Powered Dance Party at South and Fifth streets

    People try to find their swing dance moves at a Philly Powered Dance Party at South and Fifth streets. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • The Center City skyline forms the backdrop for Line Dancing with a View, hosted by JO-ET-TICS Dance on South Street Bridge during during the Philly Free Streets day.

    The Center City skyline forms the backdrop for Line Dancing with a View, hosted by JO-ET-TICS Dance on South Street Bridge during during the Philly Free Streets day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A skateboarder hitches a ride on South Street during Philly Free Streets day on Saturday.

    A skateboarder hitches a ride on South Street during Philly Free Streets day on Saturday. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Mike ''Spin'' Spinelli, president of the Jersey Devils Bicycle Club, passes Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens as he rides with others on vintage and custom cruisers over South Street during the Philly Free Streets day.

    Mike ''Spin'' Spinelli, president of the Jersey Devils Bicycle Club, passes Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens as he rides with others on vintage and custom cruisers over South Street during the Philly Free Streets day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Philly Free Streets Day wasn't entirely car-free due to a get-together of a vintage car-owners club that set up a concours d'elegance on South Second Street.

    Philly Free Streets Day wasn't entirely car-free due to a get-together of a vintage car-owners club that set up a concours d'elegance on South Second Street. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A yoga class has set up shop on the Schuylkill River banks.

    A yoga class has set up shop on the Schuyllkill River banks. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • The temporary car-free zone at South Street is connected by the Schuylkill River Trail to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, creating a ten-mile-long haven for cyclists. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

    The temporary car-free zone at South Street is connected by the Schuylkill River Trail to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, creating a ten-mile-long haven for cyclists. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • One of the scenes on South Street during the Philly Free Streets event on Saturday as a large number of people take the opportunity to stroll, glide or ride the car-free zone.

    One of the scenes on South Street during the Philly Free Streets event on Saturday as a large number of people take the opportunity to stroll, glide or ride the car-free zone. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • One of the scenes on South Street during the Philly Free Streets event on Saturday as a large number of people take the opportunity to stroll, glide or ride the car-free zone.

    One of the scenes on South Street during the Philly Free Streets event on Saturday as a large number of people take the opportunity to stroll, glide or ride the car-free zone. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Even Benjamin Franklin came out on his bike to participate in Philly Free Streets Day.

    Even Benjamin Franklin came out on his bike to participate in Philly Free Streets Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • I feel it’s an inaugural event says Philadelphia’s Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis during the opening ceremony for Philly Free Streets Day.

    I feel it’s an inaugural event says Philadelphia’s Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis during the opening ceremony for Philly Free Streets Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Councilman Mark Squilla, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Managing Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Clarena Tolson, and Benjamin Franklin cut the ribbon to officially open Philly Free Streets Day.

    Councilman Mark Squilla, Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Managing Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Clarena Tolson, and Benjamin Franklin cut the ribbon to officially open Philly Free Streets Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • A jogger makes his way over the Schuykill River Trail where duckweed colors the river bright green.

    A jogger makes his way over the Schuykill River Trail where duckweed colors the river bright green. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

South Street from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River was closed to motorized traffic from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday for the inaugural Philly Free Streets day. The route continued on the Schuylkill River Trail to Martin Luther King Drive creating a 10-mile traffic-free haven for cyclists and pedestrians.

The event  was inspired by Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia last year when, as a security precaution, the city closed down several major roads to car traffic. People took to the streets. They rode bicycles, roller bladed, walked, ran, and just played.

Unlike the road closures during the papal visit, Saturday’s event was designed with businesses in mind, according to Clarena Tolson, deputy managing director for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems. The route included 15 residential neighborhoods and a business corridor. No outside vendors were brought in to compete with local businesses.

“I think we’re going to see more of these events,” said Tolson. “The mayor is very excited about it. I expect that in 2017 we will be back at this again.”

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