Walkable maps guide residents toward a healthier community

In July 2010 Avenue Community Walking Maps were delivered to more than 13,000 north-central Edmonton residents to help guide them through the pathways of their neighbourhood.

The walking map, which includes Alberta Avenue, Cromdale, Delton, Eastwood, Elmwood Park, Parkdale, Spruce Avenue and Westwood, is the result of a partnership between the University of Alberta and City of Edmonton’s Walkable Edmonton program. Creators of the map worked with community members to identify walking routes and destinations such as grocery stores, schools, coffee shops and community services or facilities in the area.

Candace Nykiforuk, from the U of A’s School of Public Health, says projects like this are important for the development of healthy communities.

“We all know walking is one of the best, free ways to get physically active, but there are also the social benefits of being connected to your community and feeling you belong,” said Nykiforuk. “These maps will help residents better know their neighbours and feel safe and comfortable in their neighbourhood.”

The Avenue Community Walking Map is the eighth in a series of walking maps for Edmonton neighbourhoods called Communities on Foot. The series was originally created as a joint project between the city and local community leagues and groups to promote walkable, vibrant and sustainable neighbourhoods. Other communities with walking maps include Woodcroft, Riverbend, The Ridge, Stony Plain Road, Strathcona Centre, Parkallen and Mill Creek South.