Communities in Motion: Walking Town Meeting

Walking meetings serve many purposes. Primarily, they promote walking in your own community. This is particularly true when community or business leaders take the initiative and set an example for other community members. Town meetings “on the go” can fulfill many civic functions by allowing participants to:

• Exercise while conducting civic meetings or other business
• Observe community issues first-hand
• Highlight the safety and walkability of streets
• Bring attention to positive areas throughout town
• Identify areas that need improvement

According to Feet First, the Seattle-based pedestrian advocacy organization, the best reasons for conducting walking meetings are that these gatherings provide:

• Physical activity that fits into the day
• Energized and more alert participants
• Improved physical and mental well-being
• Camaraderie that cuts through hierarchical and status distinctions and sets people at ease
• Enhanced relationship building, group identity, and strengthened team spirit

They also contend that walking meetings are appropriate for any age and any size group as long as provisions are made for size and special needs. Ensuring that there is a clear leader and that someone is recording the events are both essential to having a successful walking meeting.