Category: Announcement

Annual Party on March 29th!

Annual Party on March 29th!

By |
NETWORK WALKING + CONNECTIONS = STRONG COMMUNITIES
Communities and advocates are stronger when they connect, learn, and help each other. We are excited to launch the WalkMassachusetts Network to support local committees and organizers. Come learn about the network’s valuable peer-to-peer forums and technical assistance.
WalkBoston was the nation’s first pedestrian advocacy organization.  Please join us on March 29th, 2018 to celebrate and thank the many people  who have advocated and contributed to 28+ years of progress.
What: WalkBoston Annual Party
When: March 29, 2018 5-8PM
Where: Fort Point Room / Atlantic Wharf 290 Congress St, Boston, MA – please note, this is a different location than last year!
Cost: $25 – Beer, wine + food included with your ticket
This year’s Golden Shoe Awards:
• MBTA’s Plan for Accessible Transit Infrastructure Team: Laura Brelsford, Kathryn Quigley, Chris Hart, Melissa Dullea & Erik Scheier
Transit user accessibility and safety champions
• Underground at Ink Block: MassDOT, National Development & partners
Art and environmental public space magicians
• Matt Lawlor & Hillary Borcherding Board and Board/Staff heroes

SPEAKER | JEFF SPECK | Walkable City author, TED speaker

Head to wbmarch29th.eventbrite.com for more info & to register.

Want to volunteer that evening? Email Brendan!

WalkBoston awarded $100,000 in Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100″ program!

WalkBoston awarded $100,000 in Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100″ program!

By |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Wendy Landman, WalkBoston, 617-367-9255, wlandman@walkboston.org
Contact: Julie DeSilva, Cummings Foundation, 781-932-7093, jmd@cummings.com

WalkBoston awarded $100,000
Boston nonprofit receives Cummings Foundation grant

Boston, May 26, 2017 – WalkBoston is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s “$100K for 100” program. The Boston-based organization was chosen from a total of 549 applicants, during a competitive review process.

WalkBoston is a non-profit pedestrian advocacy organization dedicated to improving walking conditions in cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Representing WalkBoston, Wendy Landman, Executive Director, and Stacey Beuttell, Deputy Executive Director, will join approximately 300 other guests at a reception at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million infusion into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector. With the conclusion of this grant cycle, Cummings Foundation has now awarded more than $170 million to local nonprofits alone.

“This wonderful grant will enable us to work with community based organizations to help them create safer pedestrian environments in communities supported by the Cummings Foundation,” said Wendy Landman.

WalkBoston will use these funds to train and empower residents to be change agents for safe streets.

The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits that are not only based in but also primarily serve Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. This year, the program is benefiting 35 different cities and towns within the Commonwealth.

Through this place-based initiative, Cummings Foundation aims to give back in the area where it owns commercial buildings, all of which are managed, at no cost to the Foundation, by its affiliate Cummings Properties. Founded in 1970 by Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Woburn-based commercial real estate firm leases and manages more than 10 million square feet of space, the majority of which exclusively benefits the Foundation.

“Nonprofit organizations like WalkBoston are vital to the local communities where our colleagues and clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are delighted to invest in their efforts.”

This year’s diverse group of grant recipients represents a wide variety of causes, including homelessness prevention and affordable housing, education, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years.

The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston was founded in 1990, becoming the first organization in America dedicated to pedestrian advocacy. We strive to bring walking and pedestrian needs into the transportation discussion, collaborating closely with other advocacy, community and civic/educational groups. WalkBoston makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and more vibrant communities. For more information, visit www.walkboston.org.

About Cummings Foundation
Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester. With assets exceeding $1.4 billion, it is one of the largest foundations in New England. The Foundation directly operates its own charitable subsidiaries, including two New Horizons retirement communities, in Marlborough and Woburn. Its largest single commitment to date was $50 million to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Additional information is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.

###

Signal Timing Recommendations

Signal Timing Recommendations

By |

5/2017

11 ways to make Boston’s traffic signals work better for people walking

  1. Add concurrent signals at most locations. Concurrent signalization means that people walking receive a WALK signal in the same direction people driving have a green light (i.e., everyone can continue along Mass Ave). This should always be paired with the next item —
  2. Add a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) at signals to give people walking a 5-7 second WALK signal so that they can start into the crosswalk before people driving get a green light. 
  3. Automatic recall of WALK signals should be provided (this means that a WALK signal appears as part of each signal cycle without a push button) at all but rare, mid-block locations. Eliminate all non-functional and irrelevant push buttons. If middle of the night conditions warrant the elimination of WALK signals, change to flashing red signals.
  4. Short signal cycles should be the standard to make walking convenient, reduce delay and encourage compliance by walkers and drivers.
  5. High degree of consistency in signal operations should be used among as many locations as possible so that people walking and driving know what to expect. Perhaps there should be signage noting non-standard timing (e.g. “Wait for All Way Pedestrian Scramble” or “Heavy Turning Volume, Do Not Walk on Don’t WALK”)
  6. Addition of accessible audible signals with activation button should be provided at all signals.
  7. Countdown of full signal should be provided so that pedestrians know how much time remains before opposing traffic will get a green light. Flashing Don’t WALK and then solid Don’t WALK  should be based on appropriate clearance times.
  8. No “leading left” green arrows should be used. This sets up a dangerous situation for people walking who cannot see the leading left and think that crossing is safe, also people driving who turn on a leading left often block the crosswalks for pedestrians. If a protected left turn is required, have it at end of the green.
  9. Set signal phasing with recognition of pedestrian volumes, not just vehicle volumes (e.g. Park/Tremont, Dewey Square, Walk to the Sea). If technically feasible phasing should correspond with time of day and day of week (for example, mid-day Saturday Walk to the Sea, dozens of pedestrians must wait for a very long time while only a small number of vehicles pass by, leading to much crossing against the signal).
  10. Use stop signs to replace traffic signals in areas with light vehicle traffic and short crossing distances (e.g. Milk/Devonshire, Washington/Milk).
  11. After changing the timing for signals, post temporary signage near it: “We recently adjusted the signal timing at this intersection. Did we get it right? Let us know! Use BOS:311”
Lead a Jane’s Walk this May in your neighborhood

Lead a Jane’s Walk this May in your neighborhood

By |
image

Jane’s Walk is happening the first weekend of May (5th-6th-7th).
Last year, 1,000+ walks happened all over the globe!

Think of this as an opportunity to:

  • start a conversation with your neighbors,
  • continue highlighting safety issues that have been identified through initiatives like Boston’s Neighborhood Slow Streets application process
  • get outside and enjoy a weekend in May!

Create your walk idea on Janeswalk.org, or get in touch with us at WalkBoston (contact Brendan!). We’re happy to help you or your neighbors with suggestions, promote your walk, and answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to helping you get out walking!

Edit: We’ll add neighborhoods/cities/towns below that will be hosting walks on this post (and include links to the separate walks within the communities as we find out about them.) 

Boston – West End – “Jane’s Walk West End Tour”
Meet at the West End Museum
Saturday, May 6, 2pm
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/boston/janes-walk-west-end-tour/

Boston – West Roxbury – “West Roxbury Walk Audit”
Meet at the Hastings Street Lot
Saturday, May 6, 2pm
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/boston/west-roxbury-walk-audit/

Boston – Jamaica Plain – “Growing the City: Washington St from Forest Hills to Green St”
Meet at Brassica Kitchen & Cafe
Sunday, May 7, 11am
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/boston/growing-city-washington-st-forest-hills-green-st/

Boston – Roslindale – “Roslindale Gateway Path & proposed Blackwell Path Extension”
Meet at SE corner of the Arboretum (look for Walk UP Roslindale Banner)
Sunday, May 7, 1pm
http://www.walkuproslindale.org/weblog/2017/04/21/janes-walk-planned-sunday-may-7-at-1-pm-start-at-the-southeast-corner-of-the-arboretum/

Cambridge – “The Dense Layers of History in Old Cambridge”
Meet at Out of Town News Kiosk, Harvard Square
Saturday, May 6, 10:30am
http://www.janejacobswalk.org/upcoming-2017-walks/the-dense-layers-of-history-in-old-cambridge

Worcester – Jane Week (May 1 – 7, 2017) gives Worcester residents and visitors a chance to connect to each other, explore Worcester by foot and participate in interesting discussions on how we can enhance the design and function of our city. – 20+ events and walks throughout Worcester.
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/worcester-ma/

Lowell – “Labor Movement in Lowell”
Meet at Lowell National Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St
Saturday, May 6, 10:30am
http://richardhowe.com/event/labor-movement-in-lowell-walk/

Dedham – “Walking Tour of Proposed Dedham Heritage Rail Trail”
Meet at the parking lot by the football field/track on Whiting Ave
Sunday, May 7, 4:00pm
Saturday, May 13, 10:00am
http://mailchi.mp/f20ef35375c4/rail-trail-happenings-this-spring

Somerville – “A Metamorphosis of Industrial Buildings Along the Rails”
Kickoff to Somerville’s Preservation Month, ending at Aeronaut Brewery
Saturday, May 13, 9:30am
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/somerville-ma/meta/

Boston – Jamaica Plain – “Walking Tour of Monument Square”
July 1 & August 19, 12:45pm
http://janeswalk.org/united-states/boston/walking-tour-o/

Transit-Walkability Collaborative Established

Transit-Walkability Collaborative Established

By |

New coalition plans to promote walkable, transit-rich communities

America Walks announced today the formation of the Transit-Walkability Collaborative, whose purpose is to expand safe, healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities by harnessing the synergy between walkability and quality public transit service.

The nine founding members of the new coalition work at the national, state, and local level in the walkability and transit advocacy movements. They are Center for Transportation Excellence, American Public Transportation Association, National Association of Public Transportation Advocates, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, Circulate San Diego, WalkDenver, Health by Design/Indiana Citizens’ Alliance for Transit, WalkBoston, and America Walks. Each organization has signed on to a shared Statement of Purpose, which can be found on the America Walks web site here:

The Transit-Walkability Collaborative notes that integrating walkability and public transit helps to create safe, affordable, and enjoyable neighborhoods, whose residents complete their daily activities while owning fewer vehicles and driving less often.  These communities experience significant public and private-sector cost savings, lower rates of traffic fatalities, reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, higher levels of physical activity, and a better quality of life – especially for low-income families.

“Walkability and transit advocacy complement each other and accomplish common goals neither can achieve on its own,” said Ian Thomas, State and Local Program Director with America Walks and coordinator of the Collaborative. “By ensuring a high level of service for both walking and public transport, we stimulate mutually-reinforcing community benefits that help address a range of social problems – from health to economics to quality of life.”

The Transit-Walkability Collaborative has identified long-term objectives in the areas of research, communications, capacity-building, and policy change, and adopted a 2017 Action Plan.  One of the first priorities will be to conduct an environmental scan of walkability and transit advocacy groups, and then expand the circle further.  “We also plan to reach out to organizations with primary interests in bicycling, disabilities/access, social equity, public health, and smart growth,“ said Thomas.

Several upcoming events are being planned to stimulate more interest and discussion about the alignment of walkability and transit campaigns.  A fact sheet will be published in March in conjunction with a special webinar, and an online survey will be launched at the same time – to collect information about the ways walkability and transit advocates are collaborating around the country and what support they need.

###
About WalkBoston: WalkBoston makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and vibrant communities.

About the Transit-Walkability Collaborative:  The Transit-Walkability Collaborative exists to promote the benefits of walkable, transit-rich communities; to bring together transit and walkability advocates at the local, state, and national level; and to identify and implement programs and policies that simultaneously expand walkability and transit services in communities across the U.S.  The founding members are:

————————————————————————————————
Join WalkBoston’s Mailing List to keep up to date on advocacy issues.

Like our work? Support WalkBoston – Donate Now!
Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook