Neighboring 101: September Guest is Nicole Carr from Open Streets Boise

 

On September 18, 2025, attendees of the Neighboring 101 session Open Streets Boise: A Model for Collaborative Placemaking and Community Engagement will explore how communities can transform public spaces into thriving, people-centered experiences. Led by Nicole Carr, Program Manager with Energize Our Neighborhoods, this presentation offers a practical roadmap for hosting successful Open Streets events.

Participants will gain insights into building strong partnerships, coordinating logistics, and designing events that foster connection, health, and belonging. By removing cars and opening streets to people, Open Streets initiatives create opportunities for walking, biking, gathering, and celebrating local culture. Carr will share tested strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders—from city leaders and businesses to neighborhood residents—ensuring that events are inclusive and sustainable.

More than just street festivals, Open Streets serve as catalysts for long-term community well-being. They inspire active lifestyles, strengthen neighborhood ties, and demonstrate how collaborative placemaking can reimagine civic life. This session promises attendees a clear how-to guide, complete with actionable tools and inspiring examples, to bring the benefits of Open Streets to their own communities.

Through practical planning tips and a focus on inclusivity, the Boise model illustrates how local partnerships can transform streets into vibrant shared spaces that build stronger neighborhoods.

If you are not already a registered member of the Neighboring 101 network, you can register online here.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.


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