UPTOWN — The Andersonville Development Corporation has plans to debut a new pop-up park and market called Olive in Motion later this month featuring outdoor games, music and food at the intersection of Clark and Olive.
Brian Bonanno, who runs the community organization's environmental programs, is spearheading the organizing effort for Olive in Motion. The fest kicks off from 4-10 p.m. July 25 and will shut down traffic on Olive from the west side of Clark to the east side of Ashland for the duration of the event.
"The idea is that the neighborhood is generally lacking in park space," Bonanno said. "We're trying to emphasize that there's public space here that can be used to build community and highlight the neighborhood, and even if it's temporary, make it more pedestrian friendly and more attractive."
The event will also take over the parking lot outside Chiro One Wellness Center, 5623 N. Clark St.
Local landscaping companies are slated to bring in trees, plants, and "possibly sod to give the feeling of an actual park," Bonanno said. The event will feature outdoor games such as volleyball and bags, and Bonanno said he's working on finding a local yoga studio to hold a class or demonstration.
Local businesses will be there to showcase their wares, including furniture and jewelry stores.
As for food, Bonanno said he's inviting vendors from the Andersonville Farmers Market as well as asking area restaurants to offer deals during Olive in Motion.
The evening will be capped with an outdoor movie, Bonanno said.
He admitted Thursday, "it's all kind of coming together a little last minute."
"So we're trying to get the rest of it worked out today and tomorrow and really start promoting it next week and the following week," he said.
Olive in Motion will return on Aug. 29, and potentially on Sept. 26, Bonanno said. He added the event could be a more frequent fixture in the neighborhood depending on how the first few events go.
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