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With cars banned, Philadelphians biked, skated and walked through Philly Free Streets

Philly residents loved the auto-free streets during Pope Francis' visit in 2015, prompting the city to restore that treat.

Owen Boraz, 3, is photographed by his dad, Joshua, 36, of Columbia, Md., at Third and Chestnut Streets during Saturday’s Philly Free Streets.
Owen Boraz, 3, is photographed by his dad, Joshua, 36, of Columbia, Md., at Third and Chestnut Streets during Saturday’s Philly Free Streets.Read moreDAVID SWANSON

Philadelphians got at least seven hours of car-free access to certain streets Saturday as part of the second Philly Free Streets, an initiative spawned by Pope Francis' visit in September 2015 and its numerous security-based closures.

From 6 a.m. until at least 1 p.m. joggers, bikers, stroller-pushers, and just plain walkers had full run of portions of typically traffic-heavy arteries, including Chestnut, Third, Vine, and South Streets, as well as portions of Germantown Avenue.

There was even room for games.