First Open Streets event of the summer returns to Jamaica Plain, with more to come

Jamaica Plain’s Centre Street was packed with with an unusual traffic Sunday — pedestrians walking and biking, people sorting through vendors’ goods, while musicians played and children chased bubbles out in the street.

“People have been flooding the street all day,” said Open Streets Director of Outreach Roxanne Longoria. … “Literally from one side of Centre to the other, you just see people all over the street. It’s just an opportunity to build community and make new friends.”

The event closed off Centre Street from Soldier’s Monument to Lamartine Avenue to cars from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., lining up tons of vendors, activities and open businesses.

Pedicabs wheeled up and down Centre through the sunny Sunday afternoon, as musicians played, people stopped to take pictures with the rainbow swing and cops passed out free ice cream in Hyde Square.

“Mostly, it’s nice to walk in the middle of the street and not be dodging traffic,” said 43-year Jamaica Plain resident Elaine, walking with two friends through the event.

“And people are exceptionally friendly today,” 45-year resident Marilyn chimed in. “All smiling at each other. It’s a good experience and feels very JP.”

Longoria said last year the Open Streets event in JP had 11,000 people and this year they’re hoping for at least 20,000. The number of vendors and activities increased over last year, including local artists, nonprofits, businesses and brightly-colored juggling unicyclers.

The program is looking to keep growing and serving as many people as possible, Longoria said.

The pedestrian-friendly event was just the first of the summer. The number of neighborhoods participating in the program expanded this year and will include Roxbury’s Blue Hill Avenue on July 15, Allston/Brighton’s Brighton Avenue and Harvard Avenue on Aug. 19, Dorchester’s Dorchester Avenue on Sept. 17, and East Boston’s Meridian Street on Oct. 15.