November 7, 2009

Overview  Introduce Leading Partners  About Safe and Walkable Hillside  What makes a neighborhood safe and “walkable?” Problems Solutions  How to go about making changes to your neighborhood

Fit City Duluth Fit City Duluth is a public/private community initiative designed to change the social culture and physical environment of Duluth to encourage active, healthy lifestyles.

SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program) Goal: Implement policies and practices that create active communities by increasing opportunities for non-motorized transportation (walking and biking) and access to community recreation facilities. SHIP Active Community Coordinator Jim Skoog, Saint Louis County Department of Public Health & Human Services Focus on Active Communities is 1 of SHIP’s 6 initiatives to improve health

Homebuyer Education & Counseling Low Interest Home Rehab Loans Energy Efficiency Audits & Loans Community Organizing Crime Prevention NHS Duluth (Neighborhood Housing Services of Duluth)

Safe and Walkable Hillside Goal: To improve the walkability and bikability of both Central Hillside and East Hillside Creating connections to destinations Focus especially on children and the elderly

In St. Louis County, Minnesota… 19.6% of the population is younger than % of the population is 65 or older This represents over one-third of our county’s residents! Also… 17.0% of the population in St. Louis County (older than 5 years) has a disability 08 / 80 Rule SOURCE:

Bridgeport Way, Tacoma, Washington BEFORE Examples Before and After

Bridgeport Way, Tacoma, Washington AFTER Examples Before and After

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

SHOPPING CENTERS HOMES IMPERMEABLE BORDER Wider is not always Better

“Every freeway is a political statement.” - Lewis Mumford

But wait a minute… We’re not here to talk about freeways We’re here to talk about…

S A F E T Y ! “Over the last 80 years we have been making cities much more for cars’ mobility than for children’s happiness.” Enrique Penalosa, former Mayor, Bogota, CO

A pedestrian hit at 40 mph has an 85% chance of being killed. At 30 mph the likelihood of death is 45% At 20 mph the fatality rate is only 5% (FHWA, Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide, 2002)

What does it take to be a walkable community? Need to address the needs of our specific community with the five Ps: Preparing Programming Promotion Policy Physical Projects

Preparation The Active Living 5 Ps Approach Physical Projects Policy Change Programs Promotion ? Physical Activity Chronic disease Congestion, pollution Local economies Safe streets Livable communities

Here’s our opportunity…

What makes a Safe and Walkable neighborhood?

Places to Gather

We are working towards this in Duluth…

A new look at the school bus Some communities have adopted a Walking or Biking School Bus to keep children active in a safe environment.

What does it take to be a walkable community? Need to address the needs of our specific community with the five Ps: Preparing Programming Promotion Policy Physical Projects

Let’s Go For A Walk!