Síclovía, San Antonio’s spin on Bógota, Columbia’s Ciclovía, had its second outing on Sunday, March 4, 2012, making two miles of Broadway car-free for folks to enjoy outdoor recreational sports and activities without having to worry about being run over.

From Mahncke Park to Maverick Park, skateboarders, walkers, runners, hula hoopers, skaters, tricyclers, bicyclers, bubble-blowers, strollers, scooters and dog lovers were out enjoying the couldn’t-ask-for-any-better weather.

Síclovía’s slogan “Go play in the street!” should add (and parks) in parentheses. The YMCA had a stage set up in Mahncke Park to give attendees a taste of Zumba, kickboxing, Pilates and more. Plus, the City of San Antonio’s Forester Michael Nentwich and his volunteers were giving away free drought-resistant trees to good homes. I must say that today was the first day I’ve ever seen someone ride a bike while holding a tree.

Down Broadway at Lions Field, hula hoops were at the ready, along with giant chess boards and bubble wands. A taekwondo presentation was in full swing, demonstrating this South Korean martial art. The Witte Museum even had a booth set up to teach attendees about vegetable gardening now at the H-E-B Science Treehouse.

The first Síclovía was in October 2011, and it was a hit. Seems like this go-round was even more popular, judging by the number of attendees up and down Broadway who said “Sí!” (“Yes!”) to fitness. ¡Viva San Antonio!

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!