Cars begone! Walkers, cyclists take over roads during Open Streets TO

The car isn't king today.

Pedestrians and cyclists tookover part of Bloor and Yonge streets on Sunday, during thecar-freeOpen Streets TO event.

Bloor Street wasclosed to vehicles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. between Ossington Avenue and Park Road, while Yonge Street wasclosed to traffic from Bloor to Queen streets.

There werenumerous activitieslining the streets, including a charity truck pull, a dog walk, a bike ride, a ukulele jam, a skateboard park, yoga class, dance and improv workshops, anda free blood pressure clinic.

Part of Bloor Street was alsoturnedinto a"pop-up park," with5,000 square feet of grass lining the road.

This wasthe first of two Open Street TO days this year, with the next event on September 15.

It wasa chance for the streets to become "paved parks" that people of all backgrounds can enjoy, the organizers said in a news release.

"The idea behind Open Streets TO is about getting out, being active and connecting people in the city without the barriers and stresses often created by vehicle traffic," David Simor, with Open Streets TO, said in a statement.

Open Streets TO,in its sixth year, is apartnership involving the city'sparks, forestry and recreation division and Come Alive Outside.