SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Newsom announced on August 14 that the city will open a 4.5 mile stretch of the roadway for free recreational activities on Sunday, August 31 and September 14.

According to the Mayor’s Office, Organizers of Sunday Streets San Francisco decided to follow in the footsteps of New York City, where the Saturday’s Summer Streets Program received accolades for their success. The events, which will take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the designated days, will take place along the waterfront that connects the Bayview district to Chinatown.

"Sunday Streets is an innovative way to connect residents to San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods, and support local businesses," said Newsom . "It literally brings open space to residents in the Bayview and Chinatown and activates the streets along the route with healthy and fun activities. In the process, it builds community pride and demonstrates the benefits of increasing fitness and recreational opportunities within our city."

Sunday Streets in San Francisco, the organization conducting the events, is based on a 25-year-old program that originated in Bogota, Colombia and is in some form active and effective in cities such as Tokyo, Paris, and Kiev, and Portland and Chicago. “Sunday Streets in San Francisco is a pilot project that the city hopes to replicate on different routes throughout the city in the coming years,” said the Mayor’s Office. “This year’s event enjoys broad support from over 100 organizations, programming partners, and various City agencies.”