About Open Streets

Open Streets Corvallis is a free street festival that re-imagines our most shared public spaces – streets and parks – as places where people walk, bike, and play.

For one day each summer, over a mile of streets are closed to motorized traffic so that people may use them for walking, rolling, dancing, playing, and socializing. Activity hubs in public parks along the route include local food and drink, live music, giant-sized games, and more. Neighbors, community organizations, and businesses are invited to host interactive activities.

Open Streets 2023

Our goals:

  • Have a positive impact on community livability by connecting neighborhoods and neighbors.
  • Improve the health and wellness of Corvallis residents.
  • Encourage walking, biking and other forms of active transportation.
  • Increase awareness of sustainable transportation options.
  • Foster new, creative partnerships that put money back into the local economy.
  • Support equity and inclusion on event day and beyond.

History

The City of Corvallis, in partnership with the Corvallis Bicycle Collective, held its first Open Streets event in August of 2017 – the day before the solar eclipse. Over 2,000 people and 33 organizations participated that year. Since its initial success, the event has traveled to a different neighborhood each year, growing to include more community participants.

After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, Open Streets Corvallis returned in 2022, lead by the City of Corvallis’ Active Transportation Program with the support of the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition. Our steering committee also included members from the Benton County Health Department, Casa Latinos Unidos, Corvallis Bicycle Collective, Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, and OSU Transportation Services.

Video of the inaugural Open Streets in 2017.

Past Events

2017 route map with activity hubs at Garfield Park and Franklin Square Park.

The first annual event traveled between Garfield Park and Franklin Square Park on 11th Street and Taylor Avenue.

The second event traveled between Cloverland Park and Harding Center with activities at the pocket parks on Coolidge Way.

The third event traveled between Lilly Park and Tunison Park in South Corvallis, crossing Hwy 99 near Lincoln Elementary School.

The fourth event traveled in a loop between Arnold Park and Chintimini Park on Lincoln and Polk Avenues.

Open Streets 2022 map
2023 Open Streets route map shows activity hubs at Central Park, 11th & Washington and Peanut Park.

The fifth event traveled between Central Park and Peanut Park with a mid-route activity hub at 11th Street & Washington Avenue, adjacent to OSU.

Funk band, DTW, leads the Open Streets parade

The sixth event traveled between Cloverland Park and Garfield Park with a mid-route activity hub on the north side of Porter Park.

The seventh event traveled between Lilly Park and Willamette Park with a mid-route activity hub at Alexander Avenue.