WalkBoston has created a series of walking programs and walking routes intended for all residents of the city. These walks are designed to accomplish several goals:
The organization works with local businesses and neighborhood walking groups to develop routes throughout the city. After developing these routes, the organization creates maps for distribution to organization members, to businesses along the route and to other interested parties. All 30 maps are available on the group’s webstie and are mailed out to members. These maps are comprehensive and make an effort to appeal to beginner and advanced walkers. Included with each map are several items:
Below are the numerous types of walks that WalkBoston has put together for the community. These ideas can be used to develop a walking program within any municipality that is interesting and user friendly. Further information can be found on its website. (http://www.walkboston.org/events/walks.htm)
Customwalks are self-guided walking tours created by WalkBoston for organizations or events. In 2005, the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau commissioned the “Commonwealth Avenue Mall Sculptures” and the “Avenue of the Arts” for the National Association of Art Educators.
STEPS is a program sponsored by the Boston Public Health Commission to promote increased physical activity and nutrition in the city. It includes Neighbor Walks, WalkBoston’s Safe Routes to Schools, and working with neighborhood walking groups to improve walking.
Smartwalks focus on “smart growth possibilities” — higher density, mixed-use and mixed-income neighborhoods, conserving natural areas and open space while reducing automobile dependence and energy consumption, and improving pedestrian/bicycle accessibility. Participants discuss successes, missed opportunities and proposed development.
Winterwalks last 45 to 90 minutes. They include frequent stops inside buildings at intervals along the route to allow participants to get warm. At the end, walk leaders point out spots to enjoy hot chocolate or coffee.
One interesting walk developed recently is for a local hospital. Walk Boston teamed with hospital staff to develop a few interesting walking routes in the neighborhoods around the hospital. The goal was two-fold. First, these routes give hospital visitors something to do instead of sitting around in a waiting room. Second, the routes highlight amenities that people may need to access while waiting, such as pharmacies, bookstores, restaurants, and convenience markets.
Results
Overall, the WalkBoston walking series has been very popular and well received. Its main avenue for success is teaming up with local businesses and community organizations to develop the routes. These businesses and organizations also help to promote the program and in most cases help fund the development of the map. The WalkBoston model is easy to get off the ground and is likely to be well received in any municipality.
Lessons Learned
Offering walks that fulfill a variety of purposes, in various settings, and that are available to all walking abilities is necessary to ensure a successful program. Including supplemental information with each map is central to making the walks dynamic and multifaceted; not only is a person walking on a safe pre-determined route, but they are learning, sightseeing, and window shopping along the way. Adding the supplemental information is key to convincing businesses/organizations to sponsor the various walks because of the additional patronage they may gain.
Strengths
Walking maps provide benefits to everyone in town. Not only can they help to revitalize a downtown business district, they help motivate residents to keep fit. Walking maps can also highlight areas of interest, such as historical landmarks and natural habitats. The maps give residents a reason to walk, help build community and can inspire commercial growth. Also, having many people walking brings an added measure of safety to the area.
Innovative Ideas
Implementation
Metuchen took the following steps to implement its
“Walk Metuchen” program:
Metuchen partnered with NJ Transit which promoted the program at the borough train station. The Municipal Parking Authority also promoted the program when it distributed commuter parking permits.
Resources
Metuchen Creates a Walking Metro System
A Healthy Communities Program sponsored by the Borough of Metuchen and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
www.feetfirst.info
Founded in 1996 to promote the rights and interests of pedestrians and to encourage walking, Feet First serves the Puget Sound region and all of Washington state
www.walkboston.org
WalkBoston is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to improving walking conditions in cities and towns across Massachusetts. Founded in 1990, its goal is to make walking and pedestrian needs a basic part of the transportation discussion
Contacts
WalkBoston
Old City Hall
45 School Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 367-9255
Email: info@walkboston.org
References
Feet First. (2005). Six Basic Walker Rights. Retrieved August 23, 2005 from: http://www.feetfirst.info
Fenyk, H. (2005, May). Walk Metuchen. [Report]. New Brunswick, NJ: The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Rodriguez, D., Khattak, A.J., & K.R. Evenson. (2004). Can neighborhood design encourage walking and bicycling?: Physical activity in a urbanist and a conventional suburban community. Chapel Hill: University of Chapel Hill.
WalkBoston. (2006). Events. Retrieved March 24, 2006 from: http://www.walkboston.org/events/walks.htm
