Normal | wikipedia.org
Normal | wikipedia.org
The Town of Normal has announced plans to hold the "Normal Stride & Ride" open streets event on Sunday, July 20. College Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles from Anderson Park to Main Street between 8 and 11 a.m., giving residents the chance to walk, jog, and bike along the route.
This event is part of Parks & Recreation month and aims to promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging physical activity in a community setting. The initiative is organized in collaboration with local groups such as Bike Blo-No and Friends of Constitution Trail.
Doug Damery, director of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Normal, stated: “The Town of Normal is excited to open College Avenue to the community and temporarily replace automobile traffic with people, allowing them to experience the street from a different vantage point. Events like this happen across the globe, and we’re excited to bring this to Normal. We invite people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to come out and improve their health and have fun.”
Participants can use bicycles or walk, jog, run, or bring their dogs along the designated route. Water refill stations will be available courtesy of the Ecology Action Center’s Water Monster. Parking is available at Anderson Park's east lot; participants will begin at the west parking lot before heading west along College Avenue/Mulberry Street toward Main Street. Access will end at Beech Street; both Beech Street and Main Street remain open for traffic.
Organizers selected this corridor because it offers high visibility in the community with minimal driveway conflicts. The area also connects easily to Constitution Trail and is near Uptown Normal.
At Anderson Park, activities are planned including games such as corn hole, disc golf, giant Jenga, Yahtzee, and more through the Parks & Recreation Pop-Up Park Trailer. Booths from several town entities—Children’s Discovery Museum, Illinois Art Station, and Normal Public Library—will be present as well.
Health-related activities such as yoga and Zumba classes are scheduled during the event. Additionally, Anderson Pool will open an hour earlier than usual at 10 a.m., so attendees can swim after participating in Stride & Ride.
Damery added: “We’re piloting this event in 2025 to see how the community responds. We have partnered with many local affinity groups and hope for a great turnout, rain or shine. After enjoying fun at the park, we hope folks will head to Uptown Normal to take advantage of all the area has to offer.”