Walkable communities are healthier, safer, and more economically vibrant. Feet First’s mission, since 2001, is to help people create walkable neighborhoods. Your support is essential to our success and that’s why we’re asking for your help during #GiveBig on May 10. Thank you!
Here are a few of the ways Feet First makes a positive impact in our communities:
Sound Access for All
Feet First advocated for the installation of vibrating crossing signals around the future Judkins Park light rail station to help the DeafBlind community access Lighthouse for the Blind, located a few blocks from the station.
Feet First works to ensure safe and convenient walking connections to Sound Transit light rail stations throughout the region. We helped secure $35 million government investment in walking connections to the Northgate light rail station, including a pedestrian bridge across I-5 to North Seattle College.
Safe Routes to School
Feet First and our partners have worked with more than 65 schools and 35 school districts in Washington state since 2004. We place emphasis on working in low-income neighborhoods or areas with poor health indicators, because walking to school is a social equity issue. Children who live in high-poverty areas are more likely to experience higher rates of obesity, lower test scores, and higher pedestrian fatalities.
Students and their families need walkable communities to thrive. We’ve provided essential skills and tools to nearly 40,000 students, empowering them to navigate their communities safely, and helping to create lifelong habits and skills. Students with higher rates of physical activity perform better academically. Walking to school is a fun, effective way to get kids moving. It also provides additional opportunities for friends and families to connect, while easing school-related traffic congestion.
Community Work
Feet First’s expertise in walkability makes a difference in Washington state ” from Anacortes to Yakima, from Tacoma to Soap Lake, from Spokane to Redmond, from Olympia to Lakewood, and Seattle to San Juan Island
Local partnerships: We design walk routes and train Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors to lead walks. We advocate for smart investments to support walking and policies, such as complete streets that make our roadways safer for all users. We create walking maps and walking audits that bring community members together with city staff to identify and implement improvements to make streets safer.
Statewide influence: A Feet First board member serves on the state Pedestrian Safety Advisory Council and a nominator for Complete Streets improvement grants.
#GiveBig – https://www.givebigseattle.org/FeetFirst
Access more information about Feet First here: feetfirst.org