Kicking off Becker Freedom Days on Monday this year was a new event called, Let’s Move! Open Streets. From 5 to 8 p.m. Bradley Blvd next to the Becker Community Center was barricaded off to allow families to play in the streets in a variety of activities, which included yard games, volleyball, biking, disc golf, exercise, music, vendors and information from local organizations. A bike rodeo was held in the school parking lot across the street, where children were able to get correctly fitted for helmets by Project Brain Safe and learn bicycle and safety skills. They could also sign up for free helmet, reflector and bike giveaways.
The Becker Police Dept. had squad cars with lights flashing near the barricades to help draw attention to the event as they mingled with the crowd.
“This is one of those occasions where it’s fun to be seen and talk to people,” said Chief Brent Baloun. “It’s positive and fun.”
The goal for Let’s Move! Open Streets is to encourage physical activity, raise awareness of the challenges pedestrians and bicyclists face, increase advocacy for safer streets, and get people to view streets in a new way.
Demo-projects were used to demonstrate what future streets could look like, including pop-up bike lanes, high visibility crosswalks, school speed zones and other proposed changes featured in plans such as the Becker Safe Routes to School Plan.
“We’re hoping to encourage people to be healthy and highlight our safe route to school plan,” said Mandy Feeks, Sherburne County community health coordinator. “If we provide opportunities for people they’ll start being more active.”
“Part of having events like this is to get people out and get input,” said Jamie Cassidy, director of parks and recreation and Community Center manager. “Today is a great way to promote activity and get people used to what future streets could look like.”
The City of Becker was awarded a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning assistance grant from the Minnesota Dept of Transportation (MNDot). Safe Routes to School encourages active transportation by making it easier for students to walk and bike to and from school. SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) served on the planning committee after the grant was received, along with Becker Schools, Becker Police Depart, the City of Becker, Sherburne County Health and Human Services, the county engineer, community ed., the Becker city administrator, students and other members of the community.
A number of local organizations attended Monday’s event to let the public know how they can help in their health and activity goals.
Gina Hugo from Sherburne County Soil and Water shared information on the health impact of trees.
“Most people don’t realize trees impact human health in a good way,” she explained. “They keep the air clean, their shade helps reduce skin cancer, heat stroke and heat exhaustion, they decrease mental stress and promote healing, and tree-lined streets encourage people to walk more.”
Peggy Berger from Refit had information on workout classes and Pebble Creek Golf Course was on hand to talk about the health benefits of golf and what the course has to offer everyone in the community.
The Becker Area Senior Center (BASC) shared the programs they had to offer, and the City of Becker was there to advocate health and activity in the community and share information on their work wellness program.
Clear Waters Outfitting from Clearwater had demonstrations of standup paddle boarding happening in the Community Center Pool for people to try out, and was promoting the new classes they’re offering through community education.
The Becker Community Center was also represented, with special offers and flyers for their swimming lessons and fitness classes, including Teen Fitness Boot Camp and Kids Fitness boot Camp.
“It’s good for the community to know this is a great example of city, county and community working together,” said Cassidy.
Let’s Move! Open Streets was a partnership between the Becker Community Center, Sherburne County SHIP, Becker Community Education, and PTSA.
