Thought you would appreciate this story about the Open Streets Movement.
"CicLAvia started in 2010 and is a biannual event that temporarily closes down streets on 10 miles of major arterial roads through downtown L.A. It repurposes the space as a ‘public park’ for the community to enjoy." Read more here: http://loatree.com/2013/05/22/open-streets-initiatives-a-breath-of-fresh-air/