CicLAvia on Central Avenue – Open Thread

CicLAvia - South L.A. on Central Avenue yesterday. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
CicLAvia - South L.A. on Central Avenue yesterday. Photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
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Yesterday, southern California enjoyed its second all-South Los Angeles open streets event: CicLAvia – South L.A.

Yesterday’s festival showcased the historic Central Avenue Jazz District, Florence-Firestone, and Watts, including the iconic Watts Towers. This was the first open streets event on such a long stretch (over five miles) of Central Avenue in South Los Angeles. An early CicLAvia took place on part of Central Avenue, but only extended as far south as the African American Firefighter Museum and the 2014 South L.A. route also included part of Central. A southeast cities route included the Watts Towers.

The kick-off took place at the intersection of Central Avenue and 27th Street. Speakers included Metro board chair and Inglewood Mayor James Butts, L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price, and Olympic medalist Jeanette Bolden, owner of the famous longstanding 27th Street Bakery.

27th Street Baker proprietor xxx welcomes CicLAvia
27th Street Baker proprietor Jeanette Bolden welcomes CicLAvia – South L.A.

The weather was cloudy and a bit cool – great weather for outside activities like bicycling, walking, skating, and running. The route was easily accessed via the Metro A Line. Attendance was great – tens of thousands of people of all ages and sizes and races participated.


https://www.instagram.com/p/B87c6uSAj33/

CicLAvia makes space for youth on streets that are full of cars at other times
CicLAvia makes space for youth on streets that are full of cars at other times


https://www.instagram.com/p/B88LlYogMBT/

The next CicLAvia will take place on Sunday April 26 and will extend from Mid-City to Venice along Venice Boulevard. Other upcoming open streets events include:

Readers – how was your CicLAvia – South L.A. experience yesterday?

Young girl scootering down Central Avenue at yesterday's CicLAvia - South L.A.
Young girl scootering down Central Avenue at yesterday’s CicLAvia – South L.A.

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