Hi everyone,
We're organizing a walk audit of Needham Center / GPA in partnership with WalkMassachusetts (walkmass.org/walk-audits), a statewide nonprofit that has led walk audits across Massachusetts for many years.
When: Wednesday, October 7th at 12:00 PM
Where: Meet in front of Town Common
Why now: Now that the Select Board has voted to move forward with the four-lane configuration, we want to make sure resident-generated observations are part of the record.
A walk audit is a guided walk where community members observe and document current conditions along a route (sidewalk condition, crosswalk visibility, intersection design, signal timing, and sight lines) to see how well the Center works for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, with an eye toward safety and environmentalism. WalkMassachusetts will help compile the group's observations into a summary report with recommendations, which we plan to share with the Town and DPW afterward.
We'd love to have you there.
Perspectives from a range of folks, including families navigating the Center with kids, strollers, mobility devices, or sensory sensitivities, make for a much stronger, more complete report. If you have a few minutes, we'd also really appreciate help spreading the word to neighbors, friends, or other groups who might be interested.
No RSVP, just show up on Wednesday October 7th at noon in front of Town Hall. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
If you are interested in volunteering some time to help us run and organize this event, please respond here!
Aidan Boni
Safe Streets Needham