How To Improve Walking Routes in Your Community
- October 9, 2009
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Create the Good
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- Music John Sutton
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Voice Over Artist
Robyn Ferrari
Walking is one of the best ways to get around – and a great form of exercise. Encourage more of it by enlisting neighbors to identify ways to improve walking routes in your community. It’s rewarding, easy to organize, and a great way to boost access to local destinations.
You Will Need
- A Sidewalks and Streets toolkit
- Volunteers
- An area to assess
- Street maps
- Clipboard, paper and pen, and a camera
- A follow-up meeting
Step 1: Download surveys
Download the Sidewalks and Streets toolkit at CreateTheGood.org/howto. Volunteers use these checklists to rate a walking route on various criteria, like the condition of the sidewalks, the safety of the crosswalks, and the area’s overall cleanliness.
Step 2: Find volunteers
Find friends and neighbors willing to walk a designated route in town and note along the way what could be done to make it easier or safer for walking. Consider enlisting a local organization’s help in supplying volunteers.
Include someone with mobility challenges if possible, and someone with a stroller. You can also consult with an expert who understands mobility concerns for people with physical challenges.
Step 3: Map out an area
Choose a date, time, and location for the walk. Map out an area to assess that should be pedestrian-friendly. You may choose your own area to walk, or ask the opinion of community leaders.
Step 4: Conduct the survey
Ask each volunteer to bring along a street map, clipboard, paper, and pens, plus a camera to record any examples of items that require change or repair. Rate each item on the survey.
Photos are especially powerful tools for illustrating problems and convincing community leaders of changes needed.
Step 5: Tally the scores
At the end of the walk, collect the surveys. Tally the results and identify improvements you can make now or in the future.
Step 6: Share your report
For improvements that require help from local agencies, produce a report that includes photos. Share your report with local agencies and elected officials and request action!
Step 7: Compare notes
Go to CreateTheGood.org/howto to check out how other communities have made themselves more pedestrian-friendly. Then post an article about your own success!
Studies show that safe, walkable communities promote meaningful participation in community life.
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Comments (2)
The Walking Route How-To guide is simple and easy to use. Keep them coming!
about 1 year ago by MRSPADirector
Para las mejoras que requieren la ayuda de agencias locales, producir un informe que incluye fotos. Compartir su informe con las agencias locales y los funcionarios electos y la acción petición!
3 months ago by tartesso
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