Annual Longest Day Parkway Provides Opportunity for Exploration

By Abby Haney, The Sandy Standard

Under the sun in the beginning of June, Sandy citizens are invited to Deer Pointe Park to partake in this year’s Longest Day Parkway event. Every year, Sandy’s Park and Recreation Department shines light on one of Sandy’s many parks and provides opportunities for citizens to connect with each other and their city. 

The annual Longest Day Parkway event is a long tradition of Sandy that was inspired by Portland’s Sunday Parkways. Citizens may recall Sandy’s ice cream socials at different parks. There, citizens could get to know their neighbors and city departments provided information and Q&As. But this ended, and Longest Day Parkway took its place. Roads at the designated park are closed for people to ride or stroll around and visit the various booths set up by City of Sandy departments. The addition of Deer Pointe Park in Sandy provides the perfect location for this year's event. 

“We try to go to all of the different parks, and because this is a new one, we wanted to go there,” Parks and Recreation Recreation Coordinator Carol Cohen said. 

The event brings communities and neighbors together without the requirement of driving. The Parks and Recreation Department encourages everyone to attend and welcomes all varieties of activity, from walking to skating. 

“It’s just a great opportunity to get people to get out, to walk, or bike, or go in their strollers, skateboards, or whatever,” Cohen said.

While the event is focused at one park in one neighborhood, it isn’t exclusive. The event goal is to bring neighbors closer within the area but also to branch out to the entire community and create a united Sandy. 

“It brings people out of their cars. It also gives a way to explore these new parks,” Cohen said.

City of Sandy departments will be there hands-on, with activities and information for all ages. The activities aren’t always the same year-to-year, but provide enjoyment on a sunny day. 

“All the department heads will be there,” Cohen said. “Each department does something different and we never know what they’re going to do.” Some of these possible activities include cornhole, spin-a-wheel, or even a dunk tank. The activities departments provide a prize, so excitement is generated for winning. 

Similar to other departments, Parks and Recreation is able to use the event as a promoter. They are able to promote their upcoming summer camps and events, such as the Drop In event at Cedar Park, which includes a skating and bike competition and vendors who will provide giveaways and discounts. 

“It’s great for us because we just got our summer recreation guide out and it's a way for us, the Parks and Rec, to promote our camps that are going on this summer,” Cohen said.

The event not only provides the community opportunity to talk with each other, but also to the city. Department representatives run the booth and provide information for citizens. 

“I feel like they look forward to this event and I feel that it's a great way for the community to talk to city employees because we’re all together at once. I feel like that’s a positive for the community and for us,” Cohen said.

Sandy’s Longest Day Parkway is on June 18 this year from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m at Deer Pointe Park. Hotdogs, refreshments, and ice cream will be available afterwards. Roads near the park will be closed off to create a safe space for those who attend. Motorized vehicles will not be allowed during that time. Everyone is encouraged to attend and enjoy a sunny day in Sandy at its newest addition of parks. 

“It’s not motorized so any means of transportation, walking, biking, skating, roller skating, all of that stuff is encouraged," Cohen said.