Missouri's first Car-Free Parkway program expands

An important part of MoBikeFed's Vision for Active Transportation in Missouri is to promote active living and bicycling via CarFree Parkways programs.

In these programs, a street is closed to motor traffic for a certain period so that the road can be used for bicycling, walking, skating, and other such activities.

Missouri's first such program has completed its first summer and it is expanding to become a year-around program.

Here are some of the interesting results from the program, via Mike Herron of Kansas City Parks and Recreation:

Beginning this Friday at 2:00pm, Cliff Drive will be closed to motorized vehicles every weekend throughout the year. The gates will reopen each Monday at 8:00am.

The innovative Car Free Weekends pilot program, which took place every weekend from May to October 2008, was initiated to provide safe opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle-oriented activities that promote healthy lifestyles for all to enjoy. Based on the success of the 2008 summer program, the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners approved the expansion of the program to year round.

IMPACT OF THE 2008 PILOT PROGRAM
* Residents reported an increase in visitation to the Northeast by bicyclists
*KCPD reported the number of 2008 calls/incidents specific to Cliff Drive decreased by 74% when compared to 2007
* The Kansas City Museum reported attendance increases even with the restoration of Corinthian Hall
* Parks and Recreation Maintenance and Operations staff reported fewer incidents of dumping, less litter and fewer incidents of vandalism
* Several organizations worked in partnership with Parks and Recreation to develop the Car Free Weekends program including the Cliff Drive Corridor Management Committee, Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association, Kansas City Museum, City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the KCMO Police Department.

ABOUT CLIFF DRIVE

Cliff Drive EntryCliff Drive is located in George E. Kessler Park in historic Northeast Kansas City and is part of the Kansas City, Missouri Park and Boulevard System. Cliff Drive is officially designated a State Scenic Byway, one of only five in the state of Missouri. The byway extends approximately 4.27 miles from The Paseo and Independence Avenue through Indian Mound on Gladstone Boulevard and Belmont Boulevard.