Clyde and Plein streets in Woodstock buzzed with excitement on Youth Day as they were turned into a car-free zone for people to come together and have fun.
Safe PlayStreets, part of a wellness programme run by the provincial Department of Health, lets the public enjoy the streets without worrying about being knocked down by a car or a bus.
Businesses, churches and civic and government organisations were involved and young and old enjoyed skipping, Zumba, drawing in the road, a soccer tournament, netball, ballroom dancing, boardgames and more.
“I remember that as a child we could play in streets like this, and this took me back to that time,” said Grace Chapel pastor Evangeline Tait.
Resident Fahiema Davids enjoyed playing in the streets and the Zumba.
“This was such a great event for our community. We hope that they do it again soon. It gave all of us, children and adults an opportunity to just be free, even for a limited time.”
Keith Edwards, of PlayStreets, said the various organisations had worked well together to pull off the event.
“I loved working with them and seeing how the entire day unfolded made me happy to be part of such an event. People were given the opportunity to connect with each other and that was the main objective of the day reached.”