Berkeley to Host Really Big Block Party Sunday

The increasingly popular pastime of closing off major city streets to traffic for an afternoon of community fun – already established in El Cerrito – is spreading to Berkeley.

On Oct. 14, the Berkeley will close 1.2 miles of one of its main traffic arteries, Shattuck Avenue, to throw a very long block party.

This "Sunday Streets Berkeley" is the first time the city will participate in a growing "Open Streets" movement by localities to transform their streets into car-free playgrounds for an afternoon, organizers say. San Francisco's Sunday Streets have proved popular, and the two "Alberrito Streets" events jointly sponsored by El Cerrito and Albany seemed to be hits with the community.

"Cycle, stroll, skate, dance, and play in the open streets!," says an announcement on the City of Berkeley's website. "The streets will be car-free and extremely people-friendly."

Shattuck will be closed from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Haste Street in central Berkeley and Rose Street in the north Berkeley, a route that encompasses both downtown the Gourmet Ghetto.

"Local businesses, non-profits, clubs, individual artists, musicians, dodgeball players and chess instructors will use the space creatively to engage others," says the website for the event. "Merchants and restauranteurs are invited to put out cafe-style seating for socializing. Some will host musicians in the parking lanes. There will be pedal-powered music rather than large amplified sound stages. Interactive activities are encouraged: jams, dancing, free classes and games."

The chief sponsor is Livable Berkeley, working with East Bay Bicycle Coalition, the Ecology Center, the Downtown Berkeley Association, the North Shattuck Association and the City of Berkeley.

The cities of Albany and El Cerrito held their second "Alberrito Streets" last month on Sept. 22.