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Columbia Gets Active at Open Streets Fest

The City of Columbia is encouraging residents to walk and ride more as they move about town, and Sunday was the perfect opportunity to share that message.

Columbia, SC - (WLTX) The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) here in Columbia is encouraging people to think differently about how they move around town and get in shape.

That's what happened Sunday as Devine Street was shut down for the 2nd annual Open Streets 2018 event.

"Open streets is actually a national and international phenomenon where different cities will close down a street for part of a day," says BPAC co-chair Christina Gilardi. "We really hope people see an opportunity to take one more trip biking or walking, to walk downtown and then walk places instead of driving everywhere you go."

Rebekah Gele, general manager at progressive Fitness was on hand to lift spirits and heartbeats at the event. "I've been jump roping a lot of people. I just taught some kettle bell swings and we've been having a good time," says Gele. "You know, from day to day activities to change of life situations working out, doing some yoga classes or mediation or even weight lifting may help you relieve that kind of stress."

And the encouragement to get up and out is exactly what Gilardi wants. "We just hope this leads to a little transformation and thought about how you get around aside from using your car," she says. says Gilardi.

With 60 parks and green spaces and over 600 acres of city maintained park land here in Columbia, there are no shortages of spaces to get up and exercise.

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