Walk audits are a great tool to gather information about street conditions, engage community members, and informational planning and traffic safety projects. Through walk audits, you can help improve walking, health, and quality of life in your community!  Currently, Kentucky ranks 3rd highest for physical inactivity. 32.8% of Kentuckians reported doing no physical activity or exercise other than their regular job in the past 30 days. Being physically active and reducing sedentary behavior can benefit health. Regular physical activity is associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases. Walk audits can identify street inequities and lead to safer and fairer
 street environments- 90% of high-income communities have sidewalks while only 49% of low-income communities do. (Which is The City of Falmouth)

Knowing this, The Pendleton County Family and Consumer Science Agent conducted a walkability audit in the City of Falmouth.  The walk was approximately 2 miles long and it included key locations in our county.  Locations included: Public Library, Veterans Park, Athletic Park, Downtown historical sites and restaurants, Miracle Point Playground and fairground.  

A total of 17 individuals did the walk and completed the audit.  Some individuals walked on their own and some did it as a group with agents.  Participants included youth, elderly an individual physically impaired to include all abilities.  Three follow up virtual meetings were held after the audit and included participants, two city council member and planning and zoning. 

As a result of the walkability audit and follow up meetings the following has occurred:

1. A Storywalk committee has been formed to encourage safe walking and literacy events for youth and family.
   1. Permanent and portable Storywalk signs have been purchased and installed through a grant 
2. Results were presented to city council and city council has agreed to:
   1. Painting all crosswalks identified as needing painted in audit with road funds
   2. Purchasing one of the five Wayward signs being purchased 
3. A small grant was obtained to purchase Wayfinding signs to help point residents in the right direction for key locations and businesses in our county
   1. Five Wayfinding signs purchased, one sponsored by city council, other four with grant funding.
   2. Each sign included six panels pointing the direction for local sights and businesses
   3. Businesses were given the opportunity to purchase their panel, helping reduce cost and a total of 9 local businesses purchased their panel

We will be conducting a second walkability audit in the City of Butler this summer.

The results of walk audits can be valuable to the community planning process and can lead to improved mobility conditions for pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Help reduce traffic congestions and pollution by leaving the car at home.

When the built environment is pedestrian-friendly and supports walking and other physical activities, it has the potential to reduce rates of chronic disease in communities . Walkable neighborhoods with well-connected transportation networks have been linked to more walking, less obesity, and lower coronary heart disease risk. 

We are excited that our walk audit project will help increase exercise opportunities for our residents and boost social interaction among neighbors by creating a walk friendly environment.