Category: Walk Audit

Streetsblog MASS: “A Walk Audit of Worcester”

Streetsblog MASS: “A Walk Audit of Worcester”

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Streetsblog MASS: “A Walk Audit in Worcester”

These photographs were all taken last December, for a virtual “walk audit” for the Indian Lake neighborhood that was hosted by WalkBoston, a statewide pedestrian advocacy organization, and WalkBike Worcester, a local advocacy group.

WalkBoston hosts walk audits all over the Commonwealth. Typically, they bring groups of people together to identify hazards and obstacles to foot traffic in a specific street of neighborhood. Since the pandemic began, WalkBoston has been conducting audits virtually, by sending advocates out to evaluate areas individually, collecting their findings via online forms, and discussing the results in group Zoom meetings.

“Even if what you’re seeing is depressing, the process is a tool to bring people together and build capacity and community assets to produce positive outcomes over the long run,” said LeighAnne Taylor, WalkBoston’s Program Manager and organizer of the Indian Lake event, in a phone conversation with Streetsblog after the walk audit. “Taking an inventory of all the issues is tedious, but it gives people an opportunity to make things happen when grants become available.”

Posted May 5, 2021

 

Downtown Brockton Virtual Walk Audit

Downtown Brockton Virtual Walk Audit

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On April 15 and April 29, 2021, WalkBoston and MassINC conducted a virtual walk assessment with community members in the downtown Brockton area as part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion grant program, with support from the Solomon Foundation. The two main goals of the Gateway Cities walk audit project are to effect change at the local level to work towards safer, more enjoyable streets and to inform state policy and legislation to prioritize budgetary investment in Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth.

Read the full report here.

Worcester Indian Lake Virtual Walk Audit

Worcester Indian Lake Virtual Walk Audit

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On December 1 and December 15, 2020, WalkBoston conducted a virtual walk audit for the Indian Lake Neighborhood of Worcester, MA. WalkBoston, WalkBike Worcester, and Worcester Mass in Motion co-hosted this walk audit process, which was requested by residents who are interested in activating the open spaces of their neighborhood and making it more walkable. The walk audit process was covered in a Streetsblog Mass article on May 7, 2021.

Read the full report here.

Fitchburg Intermodal Center Virtual Walk Audit

Fitchburg Intermodal Center Virtual Walk Audit

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On November 30 and December 14, 2020, WalkBoston and MassINC conducted a virtual walk assessment with Fitchburg community members in the Fitchburg Intermodal Center area as part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion grant program, with support from the Solomon Foundation. The two main goals of the Gateway Cities walk audit project are to effect change at the local level to work towards safer, more enjoyable streets and to inform state policy and legislation to prioritize budgetary investment in Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth.

Read the full report here.

Springfield Union Station Virtual Walk Audit

Springfield Union Station Virtual Walk Audit

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On October 6 and October 22, 2020, WalkBoston and MassINC conducted a virtual walk assessment with Springfield community members in the Union Station area as part of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion grant program, with support from the Solomon Foundation. The two main goals of the Gateway Cities walk audit project are to effect change at the local level to work towards safer, more enjoyable streets and to inform state policy and legislation to prioritize budgetary investment in Gateway Cities across the Commonwealth.

Read the full report here.