In the Central Florida city of Eatonville, Mayor Bruce Mount has been leading morning walks since 2011. Their popularity have helped improve residents' health and opened eyes as to the need for more pedestrian-friendly environments.
"What started as a mayor's morning walk for a healthier staff and community is expanding into a renewed dialogue about pedestrians in Central Florida," reports Alicia Mandigo. "In three small cities in the region, Maitland, Winter Park and Eatonville, city officials have initiated a series of morning walks. The walks are popular with residents trying to improve their health, like Sarah Williams."
"Organized walks, or any popular exercise program, are fine for the participants, but to make walking a healthy habit of a community at large, that means the pedestrian experience needs to be appealing to a wider public," Mandigo notes. "A group of Rollins College graduate students in urban planning, along with adjunct professor Bob Hahn, are looking for ways to rebuild Eatonville as a healthy community."
FULL STORY: Popularity of Morning Walks May Shape the Pedestrian Streetscape of Central Florida
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