The Walk Friendly Communities (WFC) program recognized seven new communities and renewed designations for three past recipients for their commitment to prioritizing pedestrians and creating safe, comfortable and inviting places to walk.
The Walk Friendly designation is based on community efforts to expand opportunities for walking and improve pedestrian safety across a wide range of programs and activities, from planning and design to outreach and law enforcement.
From dense urban centers to small college towns, the latest Walk Friendly designees reflect a wide range of communities demonstrating a commitment to improving conditions for walking:
- Platinum
- Gold
- Eugene, Oregon (Renewed Designation)
- Silver
- Lawrence, Kansas
- Cary, North Carolina (Previously Bronze)
- Bronze
WFC is a national recognition program developed to encourage cities and towns across the United States to develop and support walking environments with an emphasis on safety, mobility, access, and comfort. Sponsored by FedEx and managed by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center since 2010, the program distinguishes communities leading the way in walkability and seeks to share their stories to inspire other communities to move towards their own innovative solutions.
“Communities nationwide are implementing some impressive programs that create a welcoming pedestrian environment,” said Dan Gelinne, WFC program manager. “These range from improved sidewalk connectivity and campaigns that promote walking to work or school, to open street events that host recreation and activities for a healthy lifestyle. Part of recognizing these efforts is to showcase programs or infrastructure that serve as model guidance. Seven years into the program, communities continue to submit new and impressive projects and plans that we’re excited to share on their behalf and inspire others.”
This year also marks a new high honor distinction: New York, New York earned the Platinum level designation. Joining Seattle, Washington in the top tier, these two cities among 65 Walk Friendly Communities across the nation are the only two recognized as Platinum level.
Cities and towns interested in joining the ranks of Walk Friendly Communities are encouraged to submit an application. The next round of applications is open now, and submissions are due by June 15, 2017. Interested communities are encouraged to visit www.walkfriendly.org to learn more about the program and review the application process.
“FedEx is very proud to sponsor the Walk Friendly Communities program. As part of our 2016 FedEx Cares commitment to invest $200 million in 200 communities around the world by 2020, this program has had a far-reaching impact across the United States in making communities safer for pedestrians.” said Rose Flenorl, manager, FedEx Global Citizenship.
About the WFC Program
Walk Friendly Communities awards designations from bronze to platinum to participating communities with a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans, and policies. Modeled after the League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Communities,” WFC is the first program to highlight walkability initiatives and programs. At the core of the WFC program is a comprehensive web-based assessment tool that evaluates community walkability and pedestrian safety related to engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation, and planning. The assessment tool is intended to both evaluate conditions for walking and provide communities with specific feedback and ideas for improving walkability. WFC is sponsored by FedEx and maintained by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. It is supported by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $58 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.