Corrine Drive Pop-Up Path
A long, long time ago (two weeks), in a galaxy far, far away (Audubon Park Garden District), a brave alliance formed to bring young jedis a safe way to bike and roll to school.
For the first time, OBC board members partnered with the City of Orlando and Audubon Park School to create a one-day pop-up path along Corrine Drive. The idea came to us when watching kids walk along the vacant parking lane with no sidewalk. I’m sure you’ve seen folks using this area to walk, run, or bike before. What if we transformed the parking lane to a path, even just for one day? The idea gained traction after the city took control of Corrine Drive earlier this year.
After rush hour the day before, city staff began placing the green paint and stencils down to indicate conflict areas such as driveways or side streets. This helps alert drivers to keep an eye out for people crossing. We’re not sure how many cans of spray chalk were used, but we hear there are leftovers if you’ve got any ideas!
The next morning, the crew returned at the crack of dawn to add physical separation. The city and their consultants installed 182 wave delineators, 10 green bike lane flex posts, and a few taller white flex posts. The waves are intended for temporary events just like this one. We used sticky pads to keep them in place. Palmer’s even contributed some grasses and flowers to green up the path in front of their shop.
Just after 8am, led by Commissioners Sheehan and Stewart, about 80 kids and parents left Leu Gardens. They cruised down the pop-up path, encouraged and protected by city staff at key driveway locations. When they arrived at school, they took a few victory laps along the track. The force was strong.
We even spotted Princess Leia escorting a storm trooper through the pop-up path.
The path stayed up through 6pm and got a lot of action throughout the day. It’s encouraging that the city is starting to realize we don’t have to wait around for expensive constructions project to make it safer and more enjoyable to bike around Orlando.
We can’t wait to see the final report from the city on how many people used it, how it impacted speeding traffic, and if there are any plans to provide a semi-permanent installation.
This is the way.
