Old Hill Walk Audit to Optimize Safe Walking and Bike Routes

As part of the Healthy Hill Initiative’s effort to optimize safe walking and biking routes in Old Hill, representatives from Way Finders, the City of Springfield, non-profit agencies, residents and other stakeholders participated in a walk audit to assess the quality of a near 2-mile route in the neighborhood.

“This walk audit will help us to identify physical infrastructure issues and barriers to walking and biking that currently exist in Old Hill, and assist us in identifying on-going crime hotspots in the area,” said Way Finders Community Building and Engagement Director Beatrice Dewberry. She along with Kiah McAndrews-Davis, of the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services who is project manager for Mass in Motion, and Stacey Beuttell, of WalkBoston, organized the audit. “In the long run, we will see where and how to make improvements, and in turn, create a safer and better quality walk environment for residents,” Dewberry said.

Participants in the audit on April 27 focused on lighting, tree and shrub overgrowth on sidewalks, curb cuts, lane markings and signage, accessibility for residents in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges, and traffic speed and patterns. In addition, walk audit participants will identify any areas plagued by drug or other criminal activity that discourages residents from using their neighborhood parks and sidewalks.

Funded by the BUILD Health Challenge, Baystate’s Better Together Social Impact Grant and Trinity Health’s Transforming Communities Initiative grant, the Healthy Hill Initiative (HHI) is a collaboration of agencies that include Baystate Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, and Partners for a Healthier Community, along with working to improve the health and wellbeing of Old Hill.

HHI promotes Complete Streets policy implementation, advocacy for the Mason Square grocery store effort, and offers programming that focuses on physical activity for all ages.  Neighborhood walking groups and youth fitness activities are linked to the Mason Square C3 public safety initiative.

Representatives invited to participate in the audit along with Way Finders include the Department of Public Works, the Parks Department, Gardening the Community, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Mason Square C3 Police, the Springfield Housing Authority, MHA, Stone Soul, the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, DevelopSpringfield, Springfield College, Healthy Hill Initiative Resident Health Advocates, Brookings Elementary School, walking group participants and others.

Prior to the walk, WalkBoston will outline concepts behind the theories of “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” as a way of assessing the walking route. The route encompasses several neighborhood streets including Orleans, Tyler, Oak, Walnut, Pendleton Avenue, Hancock, Alden, Eastern Avenue, and Quincy.  Participants will share their observations and make recommendations for inclusion in an audit report that will be presented to city officials and appropriate departments for follow-up action.