Some areas of Greater Napanee are definitely more pedestrian friendly than others.
That’s the findings of a recent walking audit, led by resident Aaron Fenney, as they traveled from Market Square to the new town hall at 99 Advance Avenue.
The route saw them disembark from Market Square north on John Street, west on Graham Street to Centre Street, north on Centre until Advance Ave, then east until 99 Advance.
They used the walking audit tool kit by the AARP. Feeney chose this tool for a number of reasons, including the fact that Napanee has an older and AARP’s focus on older population meshed well, and because its design struck a good balance between being technical enough to collect good data, while not being so intense to be confusing for first time users.
Feeney told council during their session this week that Market Square though a bit run down, is a safe and inviting place to be in and travel through.
In Market Square, shops are directly on the street with parking lots or street parking available for public use. On Advance Ave, shops are further back from the road with no pedestrian route to the front door.
Another finding is that John/Graham streets have wider sidewalks with slower traffic driving past. Along Centre St/Advance Ave there are thinner sidewalks with faster and industrial traffic.
“On the whole, Centre Street is a technically serviceable but deeply uncomfortable and unsafe space on which to walk,” Feeney shared.
Council Angela Hicks joined the group and shared with council her findings.
Hicks encouraged all of council to pick a time to all take a walk along that stretch of Centre Street to experience things first hand.
Feeney encouraged the town to add walking audits as a part of the official town maintenance cycle.
Council voted to note and receive the deputation.
Written by Emily Chatwood
