How Walkable Is Your Community?

Krista N. Farley, MS

The Plan• Overview of Healthy Communities (10)• Walk Around Neighborhood (30)• Debrief on What You Observed (10)• What Can You Do In Your Community? (5)• Questions and Answers (5)

Social Ecological Model

6 Elements of a Healthy Community

Healthy Community

Compact & Varied

Neighborhoods

Connectivity

Inviting

Safe & Accessible

Healthy Affordable

Food

Comprehensive Design

What To Look For?

Infrastructure

• Schools and services near housing

• Traditional mixed use• Businesses accessible by

multi-use• Shared open space, parks,

greenspace, etc.• Develop community hubs

Street Design• Quality sidewalks clear of

obstacles with amenities• Connected streets• Bicycle lanes• Wide shoulders on rural

roads• Access to physical activity

opportunities• Safe and accessible for

everyone – traffic calming

Why Don’t We Walk?

Percent “yes”

2011 2006 2002-03 1998  No sidewalks 39% 31% * *  Health problem 30% 33% 29% 26%  Unsafe street traffic 29% 25% * *  Family responsibilities 28% 30% 23% 31%  No one to walk with 28% 27% * *  No facilities/trails nearby 28% 19% 19% 16%  Work schedule 26% 23% 28% 38%  Lack of crosswalks 24% 18% * *  Lack of lighting 23% 19% * *  Too hilly or steep 20% 22% * *  Loose dogs 19% * * *  An unsafe neighborhood due to crime

15% 14% 12% 14% 

Other 13% 2% * *  No scenery to enjoy 11% 7% * *  

Extreme Sports PlaygroundBut What About Everyone Else?

Our Walking Route

Comprehensive Plans

Educate & Encourage Behavior ChangePrograms• Awareness• Skills• Support

Environmental ImprovementsProjects• Community Gardens• Greenspace• Streetscape

Health RewardsPolicies• Complete Streets• Zoning• Regulations

Connect The Dots

Schools

Libraries

Health CentersNeighborhoods

Retail Stores RoadwaysSidewalks

TrailsBike Lanes

Transit

Environmental Scan

The New (Old) Town

• Select an area of concern, around community hubs, or areas being improved.

• Invite stakeholders to an informational session and walk

• Share impressions and data• Identify short, intermediate and long term visions• Compile results and share with stakeholders

How To Do It?

Who To Invite?

• Citizens• Mayors• Commissioners• City Council Members• Traffic Engineers• Planners/Architects• Public Works/Parking• Police/Fire Department• Transit

• Business Leaders• Parks and Recreation• School Personnel• Senior Center• Chamber of Commerce• Relators• Developers• Public Health• Others…..

Share Your Results

• www.kchdwv.org• www.walkscore.com• www.completestreet.org• www.activelivingresearch.org• www.pedbikeinfo.org• www.cdc.gov• www.saferoutesinfo.org

Tools to Use

Krista N. Farley, MSDirector of Health Promotion

Kanawha-Charleston Health Department108 Lee Street, East – Charleston, WV 25301

(304) 348-6493Krista.N.Farley@wv.gov

www.kchdwv.org

For More Information