Charlotte’s First City-Immersion Visit With World-Renowned Gil Penalosa

Urban Expert Gil Penalosa Coming to Charlotte The goal of creating a more lively walkable community will take center stage in October when Toronto-based urban expert Gil Penalosa brings his celebrated 8-80 message to Charlotte. Penalosa is an international expert on transforming cities into places where people can walk, bike, access public transit and visit vibrant parks and public spaces. At 8-80 Cities, his approach is to engage communities at all levels and across multiple sectors to inspire the creation of cities that are easily accessible, healthy, safe and enjoyable for all. The name 8-80 refers to Penalosa’s concept that cities that work for people both 8 and 80 years of age will work for everyone. 

For more information, contact: Tracy McGinnis, [email protected], 704-551-7129 See page 2 and 3 for Calendar of Events Presented By:

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Southminster Click the logo below for more information

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

City Immersion Calendar Of Events Queen City Uptown Tour with Charlotte Center City Partners 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Queen City welcomes Gil and 8-80 with a tour of Uptown and official kick-off to Charlotte’s city immersion visit.

Sound the Alarm: How the Health Community Can Create a Sense of Urgency for a Healthier Queen City. 5:00 p.m. – Greenway Walk - Charlotte HealthCare System Entrance 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – CHS, Suzanne Freeman Auditorium 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC Introduction by Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Mecklenburg County Health Director. Opening Remarks by Robert Alexander, MD. Healthy Weight Healthy Child Advisory Board Member & Pediatric Specialty Director for Carolinas HealthCare System Medical Group. Register with: Holly D. Blackman, [email protected]

2nd Annual Southminster Leadership Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. BB&T Ballpark Luxury Lounge 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC Event by invitation.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Contact: Tracy McGinnis, [email protected]

Uptown Walk Survey With AARP 1:00 p.m.

Romaire Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC AARP and the Charlotte Department of Transportation will lead a pedestrian intersection survey in the heart of downtown Charlotte. The event will aim to highlight changes being made that connect the community for people of all ages and abilities. Register with: Michael Olendar, [email protected], 704-359-7407

Uptown Bike Ride with Sustain Charlotte 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Join Gil and local nonprofit Sustain Charlotte and members of their Transportation Choices Alliance, on a short, scenic bike ride from uptown Charlotte’s beautiful Romare Bearden Park to stunning Freedom Park along the peaceful Little Sugar Creek Greenway. At Freedom Park we’ll circle the lake and then return to Romare Bearden Park.  Allow for 1 - 1.5 hours. For additional information visit: http://www.sustaincharlotte.org/ridewithgil

Walk the Talk on the Shamrock Gateway 4:00 p.m.

Methodist Recreation Center, 3200 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte NC. Event by Invitation. Join neighbors from local community associations and community planners to engage in dialogue about future plans for the Eastway corridor.

Keynote Presentation by Gil Penalosa and Q&A session with students 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. South Meck High School Auditorium, 8900 Park Rd., Charlotte NC Event by invitation.

South Meck, the largest high school in North Carolina, and Charlotte nonprofit GenerationNation welcome Gil and students from across Mecklenburg County to engage in dialogue about how communities work and how citizens make a difference.

Community Initiatives Roundtable Discussion - Southminster 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Thurdsay, October 15, 2015

Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC

Students join residents from Southminster and elected officials to discuss what’s being planned for the Queen City and ways that citizens of all ages can be involved in shaping our community’s future. Event Contact: Tracy McGinnis, [email protected]

Making Mecklenburg Livable for All 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m

Stage Door Theatre, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte, NC Gil will be speaking with community organizations that have partnered with Mecklenburg Livable Communities—an initiative that aims to construct and implement a unified vision for how Mecklenburg’s communities will grow and thrive into the future. At the event, Gil will offer his perspective on the Mecklenburg Livable Communities process with a short presentation and Q & A session. If you’re a Livable Meck partner organization and wish to attend: email [email protected]

Dilworth Artisan Station 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

118 E. Kingston Ave, Charlotte, NC

Friday, October 16, 2015

This inaugural event is a four-day demonstration of a great public space. The “Neighborhood Living Room,” is part of an award winning project by Varian Shrum. Join Gil and other community leaders to highlight the value of public spaces and access to public transit.. Speakers will address Charlotte-specific policy issues related to public space, placemaking, and district zoning ordinances that relate to transit development. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Event Contact: Varian Shrum, [email protected]

Bike Walk NC presents the 4th Annual NC Bike Summit. Gil Addresses Attendees At The North Carolina Bike Summit Followed By An Evening Ride In NoDa. For more information and to register visit: http://www.bikewalknc.org/nc-bicycle-summit/

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Grand Opening Multi-generational Play Park 10:00 a.m. Marion Diehl Park , 2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC The event is free and open to the public.

Join Southminster and Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation for the grand opening of the area’s 1st multi-generational play park. Come play and promote positive physical and cognitive health for people of all ages. The multi-generational play park is specifically designed to encourage creative play and intergenerational activities. State of the art fitness equipment at the new park will be the first of its kind in the U.S.