Feet on The Street
Walking and finding access to open spaces has become a big talking point during this pandemic as people seek places for recreation, exercise, and even social interaction with friends in neighbors all while maintaining physical distance. Over the past year we have gained an enlightened perspective of just how valuable it is to have convenient and safe access to not just parks and open spaces but the walking paths and trails that lead us there. We have also learned the many dangers that come with streets that more designed for cars instead of people.
However, thanks to organizations like the Piedmont Environmental Council in Charlottesville, we see the immense value that trails and open spaces bring to our communities. And thanks to groups like America Walks and Project for Public Spaces we have tools like Walk-Audits and Pop-Up projects that can help us build that access in an affordable and equitable way.
Check out the resources below to learn more about how you can improve walkability and public access in your community.
Building Bike and Pedestrian Connections in Charlottesville and Albemarle
Virtual Walk Audits: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
A walk audit is a walking meeting between residents and local officials on a pre-determined street or in a specific neighborhood to take stock of walking conditions and hazards. It’s a way to residents and community leaders to engage with their local officials in a meaningful way and come up with ideas to enhance their local environment.
In the article below, Ian Thomas, the State and Local Program Director at America Walks, explains how to lead a virtual walk audit and shares the results of two interactive virtual walk audit sessions for 2020’s online Walk/Bike/Places conference hosted by Project for Public Spaces.
Virtual Walk Audits: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
If you would like to learn more about how you can improve walkability and access to parks, trails, and other public spaces in your community reach out to Owen Bailey at obailey@eslc.org. ESLC’s Center for Towns creates and promotes safe and equitable access to parks, trails, and other public spaces throughout the region. By highlighting these community assets, within and between Eastern Shore towns, we seek to increase public usage and support of public open spaces to ensure that all citizens have a deeper connection to land and place.
About the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a private, nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. For more information please visit www.eslc.org.