By Esther Lerman Freeman | Contributing Writer
Hi Neighbors! Have you heard of Oregon Walks? Oregon Walks, (formerly called the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition), is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1991. Oregon Walks’ guiding principles are:
1. Walking must be safe.
2. Walking should get you there.
3. Walking is transportation which builds better communities.
4. Walkable communities require careful, inclusive design.
5. Streets shared by pedestrians and others are the best streets.
6. Everyone who leaves home is a pedestrian, whether in a wheelchair, stroller, on foot, or even getting to a motor vehicle or mass transit.
Oregon Walks has implemented several impactful community programs including a Black Walking Initiative, a Walking School Bus program and advocacy for lower speed limits. I am learning about their work and I would love to partner with them to develop walking groups in our beautiful Concordia neighborhood.
If you are interested in joining me, I hope to create various walking groups that meet on a regular basis.
These could include:
• Groups that get together to walk their children to school in the mornings and home in the afternoons (like the bike busses)
• Groups for weekly or monthly walks for folks with different endurance levels, including some for folks who prefer shorter strolls at a leisurely pace and some who want longer faster walks
• Groups that meet up monthly to explore other neighborhoods on foot
You get the idea, it’s like a Meetup walking group but with your neighbors. It has the benefit of meeting and getting to know your neighbors while also getting sunshine and exercise.
If you are interested in leading a walking group, joining a walking group or participating in increasing our sense of community through weekly or monthly amblings, please email me at brainmind@comcast.net and put Concordia Walks in the subject line. Looking forward to walking with you!
Esther Lerman is a Concordia resident who is passionate about all the many local nonprofits and the good works they do….