Press release
People in Inverness are being urged to get outside this midsummer in a bid to help shape the way the city uses its outdoor spaces.
A new grassroots campaign wants to see 10 per cent of the population using the streets, parks, pavements, paths and other outdoor areas of Inverness on foot, scooter, bike or skateboard for at least 20 minutes on Thursday, June 21.
The aim of the Own Your Street Inverness campaign is to see the Highland capital lead the way in making streets and outdoor spaces safe, friendly and enjoyable for people of all ages, incomes and abilities, whatever their motivation.
Dr Katie Walter, a GP at Cairn Medical Practice and one of the people behind the project, said: “We believe that it is by showing, as a community, how we use our common space or how we would like to use it that we can help shape Inverness into a city fit for the future.”
Some suggestions for the day include cycling to school or work, having a tea party in your street, going for a walk round the block, going to the skate park, canoeing or kayaking on the canal or lochs, mountain biking on the trails around the city, looking for nature in your neighbourhood or getting together with colleagues to go for a lunchtime stroll.
Dr Walter added: “You can do it alone, or as a group, you can take your dog, or your deckchair, you can just walk round the block, join a led walk or cycle, you can get to work by bus, or walk to see your nan, pack your tent and head off for the hills, or organise a tea party. Or maybe just sit in your garden and watch the sky, the birds or the flowers.
“It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it is using the streets or outdoor spaces in or around Inverness. If you say or nod hello to one other person along the way, job done!
“And if you have to drive that day, you can show your support for making our streets a better place by sticking to 20mph.”
The group is hoping to get 6123 people – 10 per cent of the city’s population – taking part in the event in one way or another and showing the world what a great place Inverness is.
People can pledge to join in on the event’s Facebook and are being asked to share what they are doing on social media using the hashtag #ownyourstreetinverness
While the event is open to anybody at any point during the day, there will be an organised walk and bike ride for anybody who wishes to join a group. The Big Fit Walk, supported by Paths For All, will leave Cairn Medical Practice at 15 Culduthel Road, IV2 4AG at 6pm, with a Big Bike Revival cycle, supported by Cycling UK, from the same location at 7.15pm.
People are also being encouraged to visit the Northern Meeting Park, which will be open to the public from 5pm to 8pm on the day.
More information can be found at www.ownyourstreetinverness.org
ENDS
Note to editors
For further information please contact Dr Katie Walter on 07769 334914.