Stevens Point given ‘Walk Friendly’ designation
Metro Wire Staff
Stevens Point has been named a “Walk Friendly Community.”
Mayor Mike Wiza said the city had been awarded a bronze-level designation by Walk Friendly Community, a national organization sponsored by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.
The Walk Friendly Communities program encourages towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. The WFC program recognizes communities that are working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access, and comfort.
According to Wiza, the city was recognized for:
- Creating a resident-led Bicycle and Pedestrian Street Safety Commission that provides
suggestions on walking and bicycling-related topics and initiatives. - Updating/amending city policies and zoning codes to include pedestrian-friendly parking and development policy language.
- Adopting a 10-minute “walk to park” campaign to expand service areas of parks and recreation facilities to residents.
- Adding parks, open spaces, and trails into the transportation network of the city’s Comprehensive Outdoor Park and Recreation Plan.
- The Green Circle Trail’s scenic 27-mile trail connects with over 45 miles of other trails in the city.
Wiza said receiving the bronze-level recognition means the city has “more work to do.”