🌾 Open Streets ICT 2024


October 9, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us​

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause last week!

I know that is not feasible for everyone, so thank you but we also accept constructive cristicism, bitcoin, or referrals!

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

TOGETHER WITH HUMANKIND

Have you dreamed of seeing the Big Game live? HumanKind wants to make that dream come true for one lucky fan.

​HumanKind's Big Game Raffle tickets are available for only $25 and each entry is a chance to win two premium, lower-level tickets to the game in New Orleans, LA on Sunday, February 9, 2025 plus a celebration with thousands of fans in the French Quarter, and a three-night stay in a luxury hotel.

The more raffle tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win. There are a limited number of tickets available, so get yours today!

The raffle winner will be announced in October 2024.

Each raffle ticket purchased sponsors one night for someone at The Inn, HumanKind’s shelter for individuals, families and their pets.

Open Streets ICT

One of the best traditions (and one of my favorite events) in Wichita is Open Streets ICT.

Whether it be Douglas, WSU Neighborhood or Nomar, it is great to see people out enjoying beautiful weather and our beautiful city.

What is Open Streets ICT?

A few times a year, a stretch of a street around town is shut down for citizens to walk and enjoy the wide-open streets of Wichita. This event is 100% free to attend and is a community-building event?

One time a year, a street in Nomar shuts down. Another time, 17th along WSU closes.

This Sunday, Douglas will be shut down for four miles.

What to expect:

  • 4.1 miles of Douglas Avenue is closed from College Hill at Bluff St to Glenn St in the historic Delano District
  • Street Food
  • Bikes and skateboards (no motorized vehicles of any kind)
  • All kinds of other vendors
  • Lots of fun

Let's break it down.

The History of Open Streets

​Back in 2017, Wichita Park & Recreation and the Wichita Park Foundation created a brand new event in Wichita called Open Streets ICT that would close down Douglas from Clifton Square on the east end to the west end of Delano.

The idea was to promote our community and promote healthy living where people could safely walk, ride, dance down an open street.

The inspiration began when the then Park & Rec director Troy Houtman learned about other cities all over the country (and internationally) who did just that while he was attending a conference.

Cities like LA, SF and Portland where they would shut down 10 mile stretches up to 8 times a year and in some cities like Bogota, Colombia, they happen weekly.

The Wichita Community Foundation put up $20k as a grant to fund the project and off they went.

It is essentially a giant block party with multiple β€œhubs” along the street that anyone can attend for free.

Needless to say, the first one was a hit with 18,000-20,000 people showing up. It quickly became an annual event.

Activity Hubs

The idea of β€œactivity” hubs along the way also stuck.

You can stop at any of the 5 hubs and find something fun to do:

Some have concerts and music going. Others have games and activities.

Vendors are also located up and down Douglas, including the hubs.

​You can find a full list of vendors here.

Collaboration

Open Streets ICT began as a collaboration between the Wichita Park & Recreation and the Wichita Park Foundation and continues to expand on that.

Other collabs this year include:

  • ​Shop & Grub - Monthly outdoor market with over 40 vendors at Century II on Kennedy Plaza from 12 - 5pm
  • ​Prairie Fire Marathon - this fall race has a 5k, friendly 5k, Half-Marathon, and Full Marathon. It starts and ends at Riverfront Stadium for the first time (new route)

Open Streets is for Everyone

The beauty of events like these are they are truly for everyone, no matter age, physical ability, ethnicity, etc.

Straight from the website:

"Open Streets ICT provides more than just opportunities for physical exercise - it's an exercise in building community, cultural identity, and social engagement. By temporarily removing the danger of motor vehicles, Open Streets provides a novel type of public space that helps people make social connections and lets them view their city through a new lens.

Along the route there will be many restaurants, businesses, and organizations participating with food, activities, and fun for all ages and physical levels to enjoy."

That's all folks!

Have you ever been to Open Streets ICT?

What other events have you been to in other cities that we should adopt here in Wichita?

TOGETHER WITH TRUSSELL MEDIA

You might see that podcast above and think -

"WOW, I'm not sure about that host, but the quality looks AND sounds incredible! I wonder where they record the Wichita Life Podcast?!"

Well, look no further. Trussell Media and their new Podcast Room make it incredibly easy to record a podcast.

All you have to do is show up and they take care of everything else.

Quick Event Rundown

Friday 10/11

Saturday 10/12

Sunday 10/13

That's it for today! We hope you enjoyed this deep dive.

Thanks!

- Landon

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