The District prioritized people over cars on Saturday by closing three miles of busy Georgia Avenue NW from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., stretching from Missouri Avenue south to Barry Street near Howard University.

The city was participating in the Open Streets Project, which has been adopted by 70 cities in North America.

The project promotes and supports health, wellness, and physical activity by temporarily closing streets to cars, encouraging people to explore public spaces on foot, scooter, bike, roller skates — or whatever moves them. It gives residents a chance to see what their neighborhood is like when cars aren’t whizzing by.

Thousands of people moved freely down the avenue, many with kids and dogs.

The District plans to expand the Open Streets program to every Ward.