A drizzle during the fourth Car-Free Sunday SG event yesterday could not keep picnickers, walkers, cyclists and even pet owners off streets that are usually the domain of vehicles.

Luckily for 2,800 families taking part in the Families for Life Walk, the skies cleared in time for the 7.30am flag-off by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin.

In all, some 13,000 participants enjoyed the 1.5 km walk from the National Gallery Singapore to the Empress Lawn, where they were greeted with music, food and the chance to take part in a fitness workout.

The walk is part of efforts to promote resilient families, organised by non-profit organisation Families for Life to coincide with this month's car-free event.

Car-free Sunday SG is a six-month pilot that turns part of the city into a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly area every last Sunday of the month until July, with each edition featuring a different line-up of activities.

At yesterday's event, participants could enjoy a breakfast picnic, go on walking trails, or watch a movie outdoors.

Mr Tan said having the Families for Life Celebrations together with Car-Free Sunday SG was a good idea, and his ministry would explore doing this more often in future.

"There is the novelty of getting to walk around in an area where you don't normally... I think it's a good opportunity for families to get out, and bring the children out together," he told reporters at the event.

Senior staff nurse Suzanne Mak, 31, who was at the event with nine other members of her immediate and extended family, believes it is a good way to maintain and strengthen familial ties.

Mrs Mak said: "At the end of the day, family will always have your back."