Lead A Neighborhood Walk In Partnership With Feet First

 

Feet First, which promotes "walkable communities, is coordinating a number of citywide neighborhood walks on May 4th and 5th in partnership with Jane's Walks.

 

Darcy, a coordinator with Feet First told us:

This event  is similar to Stairway Walks Day which we coordinated back in February, except that Jane's Walk is a worldwide event to celebrate the work and ideas of urbanist Jane Jacobs by getting people out exploring their neighborhoods and meeting their neighbors. Free walking tours held on the first weekend of May each year are led by locals who want to create a space for residents to talk about what matters to them in the places they live and work.

We currently have 11 separate walks throughout the city planned for that weekend and are hoping to bring more neighborhoods and organizations together for the event. It's really easy to plan and design the walk, and we will support and promote all walks for the event.

Anyone  can lead a walk. Do you have a story to tell? Do you know your neighborhood like the back of your hand? Perhaps you’re a newcomer and can share your experience of learning about your new city? Do you have an idea for a fun, informative, unusual way of looking at cities and neighborhoods?  

There are only two rules: walks should be taken and given for free, and they should be walking conversations.  The rest is entirely up to the walkers, and the conversation topics are as varied as the people taking part, from art and architecture to potholes and shortcuts and from video surveillance to the urban forest: anything that helps you and others better understand our cities and neighborhoods as places and spaces.

To lead a walk for this event contact Jillian Witt at jillian.witt@gmail.com.

Give Your Input On Making Areas Around Children's Hospital Safer and More Walkable

Feet First, which promotes walkable communities, is sponsoring, along with the Laurelhurst Community Club, a "Neighborhood Walk and Talk"on Saturday from 10-12, to have the community to weigh in on the $2 million Seattle Children's Hospital has designated towards bike and pedestrian projects.

Partipants are encourages to give ideas and be creative on proposed projects.

The invite says:

"This two-hour walk and talk from 10-12pm will explore proposed new pedestrian signals that are designed to make it easier to access the Burke-Gilman.


"We'll take a look at necessary signage to go by foot easier and physical to around Seattle Children's and new curb ramp improvements. We'll also take a look at the new configuration to reduce the number of crashes at 25th and Blakeley Street.

"Your pictures, ideas, recommendations will be shared at the Livable Streets Workshop on November 13th."

Feet First will provide maps, clipboards and cameras. 10am-12pm. This is a family event and all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend.


Meet at the Giraffe Entrance at Seattle Children's at 4800 Sand Point Way NE.

If you would like to participate, contact Lisa Quinn at Feet First. Her email is lisa@feetfirst.info and phone number is 206-652-2310.

(photo courtesy of Feet First website)

Guided Natura Walk Tonight in Ravenna

Tonight at 6pm Feet First is having a guided nature walk in Ravenna.

"Bring the entire family down for a guided 45 minute walk with Joan Burton - local hiking book author, naturalist, and Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassador.

Learn about the history and discover hidden gems of our neighborhood as we tour three local parks (Ravenna-Eckstein, Cowen, & Ravenna Parks).

Afterwards relax with new and old friends while enjoying refreshments at Ravenna Community Center provided by Seattle Parks and Recreation from 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM," the website says.

You can dowload the Ravenna walk here.

For more information contact Chas Redmond at 206-932-6003.

Here are several posts we have done over the last year on Feet First.

Become a Neighborhood Walking Ambassador

Feet First, which promotes walkable communities, is holding Neighborhood Walking Ambassador training this Saturday from 10-12 at Alki Bath House in West Seattle.

As a Neighborhood walking Ambassador,  "you'll organize and lead walks that inspire, connect and inform people about hidden gems in your neighborhood.. Take steps towards improving your health and the environment while sharing your knowledge." their website says.

Feet First will give you all of the tools to promote and spread the word about good walking conditions.

You can register for Neighborhood Walking Ambassador training program by emailing info@feetfirst.info or calling 206-652-2310.

Here is a previous post we did on Feet First.

Feet First Maps Completed and Available Now

Feet First, along with the National Park Service and the Department of Neighborhoods, has been working for the past year on putting together a map of trails in the Northeast area of the city.

And it's ready now!

This new neighborhood walking map is available at all local libraries and community centers as well as many local coffee shops and businesses. It is also available on-line.

"Thanks to everyone for being active in this. If anyone is interested in leading walks, there will be programming events this spring and summer and volunteers will be needed to help. Let me know!" says Susan from the National Park Service.

She can be reached at susan_rosebrough@nps.gov

Check out the two posts we did - one last July and the other in September.