Community Members Gather For Allentown Walk Audit; Still Time To Submit Feedback

On August 10th, volunteers and staff from AARP Lehigh welcomed more than 60 participants and partners for its Allentown Community Walk Day. Enthusiastic participants gathered at Fountain Park to continue its 2023 Walk Audit initiative.

Organized under the banner of the Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley Regional Plan, the Walk Audit initiative aims to transform communities into pedestrian-friendly environments, prioritizing the safety, accessibility, and convenience of pedestrians. The initiative was born out of the realization that many Pennsylvania communities were designed with an exclusive focus on automobile travel, often neglecting the needs of pedestrians.

Before the Community Walk Day, AARP Lehigh Valley promoted its Tell Us About Your Street initiative to gain public input on identifying areas where walk audits are most needed, thus contributing to the development of better pedestrian infrastructure. The Tell Us About Your Street form is still active and can be completed HERE.

Community collaborators joining AARP Lehigh Valley for the Walk Day included AmeriCorps, City of Allentown, Community Bike Works, Greater Valley YMCA, Lehigh Valley Active Life, Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Michael Baker International, PA APA-Lehigh Valley/Berks, Senator Jarrett Coleman’s Office, The Fé Foundation, and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

A notable highlight of the day was the participation and support of Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca and members of the police force, whose presence underscored the commitment of the entire community, including local authorities, towards creating a safer pedestrian environment.

The Allentown Community Walk Day's success is an encouraging example of community engagement in advocating for pedestrian-friendly urban planning. As the Age Friendly Lehigh Valley Regional Plan continues to drive initiatives aimed at fostering safer and more accessible streets, the impact of the Walk Audit initiative is expected to reverberate across the region, ultimately contributing to a more pedestrian-friendly Lehigh Valley.

For more information about the initiative – including completing the Tell Us About Your Streets Form - and additional upcoming events, visit the Age-Friendly website HERE.