How Walkable Is Your Community?
Krista N. Farley, MS
The Plan
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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
Compact &
Varied
Neighborhoods
Comprehensive
Design
Connectivity
Healthy
Community
Healthy
Affordable
Food
Inviting
Safe &
Accessible
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%
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Health problem
30%
33%
29%
26%
Unsafe street traffic
29%
25%
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Family responsibilities
28%
30%
23%
31%
No one to walk with
28%
27%
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No facilities/trails nearby
28%
19%
19%
16%
Work schedule
26%
23%
28%
38%
Lack of crosswalks
24%
18%
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Lack of lighting
23%
19%
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Too hilly or steep
20%
22%
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Loose dogs
19%
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An unsafe neighborhood due to
crime
Other
15%
14%
12%
14%
13%
2%
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No scenery to enjoy
11%
7%
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Extreme Sports Playground
But What About Everyone Else?
Our Walking Route
Comprehensive Plans
Programs
Educate & Encourage Behavior Change
• Awareness
• Skills
• Support
Projects
Environmental Improvements
• Community Gardens
• Greenspace
• Streetscape
Policies
• Complete Streets
• Zoning
• Regulations
Health Rewards
Connect The Dots
Schools
Retail Stores
Neighborhoods
Roadways
Sidewalks
Trails
Bike Lanes
Transit
Libraries
Health Centers
Environmental Scan
The New (Old) Town
How To Do It?
• 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
Who To Invite?
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Citizens
Mayors
Commissioners
City Council Members
Traffic Engineers
Planners/Architects
Public Works/Parking
Police/Fire Department
Transit
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Business Leaders
Parks and Recreation
School Personnel
Senior Center
Chamber of Commerce
Relators
Developers
Public Health
Others…..
Share Your Results
Tools to Use
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www.kchdwv.org
www.walkscore.com
www.completestreet.org
www.activelivingresearch.org
www.pedbikeinfo.org
www.cdc.gov
www.saferoutesinfo.org
For More Information
Krista N. Farley, MS
Director of Health Promotion
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department
108 Lee Street, East – Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 348-6493
Krista.N.Farley@wv.gov
www.kchdwv.org