Based on observations made during fieldwork and student arrival at the Melrose Middle School and High School campus, WalkBoston and WatsonActive recommend the following improvements be considered on Melrose Street between the Lynn Fells Parkway intersection and the Tremont Street intersection.
Mass in Motion Melrose High School/Middle School Campus Bicycle and Pedestrian Accessibility Project
WalkBoston conducted a walk assessment in the Old Hill neighborhood at the request of Way Finders staff (formerly HAP Housing) and Springfield’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). WalkBoston is assisting HHS in its implementation of walkability principles throughout Springfield under a CDC grant known as 1422. Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood also received a grant (know as the Healthy Hill Initiative) from the national awards program, BUILD Health Challenge that focuses on improving public health by addressing the 3 Ps of Policy, Physical Infrastructure and Programs. The Healthy Hill Initiative (HHI) is improving public safety by engaging residents of all ages in fitness activities that put eyes on the street and children playing in underutilized parks. Way Finders is one of the HHI partners.
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WalkBoston-OldHillNeighborhoodWalkAssessment-Springfield
Holyoke is one of 18 communities participating in the MassDOT multi-disciplinary program to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety in Massachusetts. One of the components of the MassDOT program is to conduct walk and bike assessments that identify infrastructure challenges to biking and walking, and recommend short- and long-term improvements. These assessments are also a means of building local knowledge of the importance of well-designed bicycle and pedestrian facilities. WalkBoston and MassBike led a walk and bicycle assessment of two locations in Holyoke: the intersection of Beech Street at Resnic Boulevard / W Franklin Street and the Appleton Street Corridor between Sycamore Street and Chestnut Street.
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As part of its efforts to improve traffic safety and revitalize its economy, the Gateway City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts (population 40,000) is pursuing Complete Streets as a framework to address the needs of all road users (people walking, biking, driving and taking transit). Through this initiative as well as others, the City aims to generate more activity in its post – industrial downtown and surrounding areas. Fitchburg started implementing Complete Streets in September 2016 by replacing one of the two travel lanes along Main Street downtown with a bike lane and wooden and concrete planter boxes. These changes, which will be piloted for a year, have reduced traffic speeds on Main Street and beautified the neighborhood , creating a safer, more attractive and more comfortable environment for residents and visitors alike.
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WalkBoston-DowtonWalkAssessment-Fitchburg
The Acushnet Avenue neighborhood walk assessment supplements the great efforts of the Love the Ave initiative, facilitated by the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, and the recent City of New Bedford’s road safety improvements in the neighborhood. WalkBoston connected with the Love the Ave initiative after a MassDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Awareness Program follow-up meeting. The Community Economic Development Center (CEDC), a community stakeholder and member of the Love the Ave initiative, hosted a meeting to discuss the value of a walk assessment to increase pedestrian safety in the neighborhood, particularly along Belleville Avenue, which separates residential districts from Riverside Park.
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WalkBoston-AcushnetAvenueWalkAssessmentFinal-NewBedford