University Avenue was devoid of cars Sunday.
Instead of driving, Gainesville residents spent the afternoon walking, biking and skateboarding downtown during the second annual Active Streets Gainesville event.
University Avenue, from West Sixth Street to East Seventh Street, was lined with activities, presentations and demonstrations.
More than a thousand people attended the event, which was created to provide a sense of ownership over Gainesville streets, according to the Active Streets Alliance’s website.
Jill Guidera Brown, the director of policy and advocacy at Active Street Alliance, said the event was bigger than last year’s event.
"The support from the community, the reaction, after we had this huge success last year, has been great," Brown said. "And there is a ton of support from the city, the Florida Department of Transportation, the county as well as over 100 community partners that wanted to come out and participate."
Flowers and quotes were scribbled in chalk across the pavement on one section of the street. Aerial gymnasts performed an acrobatic show, swinging from ribbons and hoops. Children’s bikes, double-decker bikes and even elephant bikes were among the many rolling leisurely around.
The Boardr Gainesville, a skate shop in downtown, set up ramps and rails outside for skateboarders.
Jared Currey ran the shop for the event and said the atmosphere was great for everybody, including local businesses.
"Good times, good vibes. Everyone is on the up-and-up," Currey said.
Jeandona Doreste, a UF civil engineering fifth year, uses chalk to draw a light bulb coming out of a faucet on the intersection of Main Street and University Avenue. “Whenever I have the freedom to draw what I want, I tend to do what first comes to my mind,” said Doreste, who has come to Active Streets for the past two years.
