woodbridge community mapping

Pioneering Healthier Communities

• Launched by YMCA of USA – A key component of Activate America

• Drives policy, structural, and environmental change in communities to promote healthy lifestyles

• The Pioneering Healthier Communities Woodbridge, New Jersey Team:– Woodbridge YMCA– Office of the Mayor of Woodbridge Township– Woodbridge Municipal Alliance– Metuchen, Edison Woodbridge YMCA– Raritan Bay Medical Center– Woodbridge Township Board of Education– Woodbridge Township School District

Goals of ‘Walkability’ Audit

• Raise community awareness of opportunities for safe walking and biking

• Improve the health of residents by promoting physical activity in safer and more pleasant walking and biking environments

• Help the community to assess their needs and set priorities to make our streets and sidewalks safer

• Educate children on the type of development that promotes a healthy and safe lifestyle.

• Maximize public participation and build community pride

May 30th, 2009Woodbridge TownshipPioneering Healthy Communities

Community MappingWalkability AuditSafe Routes to School

What is the grade of the child you are participating in this event with?

How many children do you have in Kindergarten through 8th grade?

How far does your child live from school?

On most days, how does you child arrive at/leave from school?

How long does it normally take your child to get to school?

Distance vs. Mode of Transportation

1

2

12

5

7

3

2 22

4

2 2

4

2

14

11

Carpool

Family Vehicle

School Bus

Walk

Has your child asked you for permission to walk or bike to/from

school in the last year?

At what grade would you allow your child to walk or bike without an adult

to/from school?

Which of the following issues affected your decision to allow, or not allow your child to

walk or bike to/from school

Would you probably let your child walk or bike to/from school if this problem were changed or

improved?

…Would probably allow

Post Survey

Do you think after this event you will walk more or less?

As a driver will your attitude/behavior change towards pedestrians because of this event?

Would you participate in this type of event again?

Explain your child's response to the event

•Very exhausting, good exercise

•We got lost because signs were covered by shopping carts,

trash, and bushes

•Very happy to observe things that are good and bad in the

school areas

•She enjoyed it- tried to observe what problems walkers

could face on the road

•My child learned road safety rules

•Good walking around school

•He had fun and it was educational

•We had fun and educated more about walking safety

•Sore legs: felt independent

•He liked it: it was cool to walk around the school area

•Fun: eye opening to the speed of traffic

Explain your child's response to the event

What were your greatest take-aways from the event?

•Knowing about the neighborhood•Happy to be able to help Woodbridge Township•Make neighborhoods safe for all our children•We need to work together and get things done for our school•Drivers need to be more aware of the pedestrians and willing to share the road •The township and school trying to improve the safety of children•We learned about safety issues•The shirt and to visit the area around the school•Now understands how nice and clean the area is•Good experience to learn roads in town I normally don’t walk•Teaching my children walking safety•Enjoyed the day activity; love to walk

What were your greatest take-aways from the event?

How did this event change your perception of your neighborhood?

•We never had a chance to see the beautiful surroundings near us

•Take a walk to see if any changes need to be made

•Discuss neighborhood with child on any risks and positives

•I will notice things more in my neighborhood

•My children and I need to be more involved in community activities

•Neighborhood is safe, but I realized a lot of work needs to be done

•There are very unsafe areas for my kids to cross the street

•Some improvements needed but very clean and well kept

•Feels awesome

How did this event change your perception of your neighborhood?

Did you learn about the sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic, etc?

•There were some very good sidewalks & crosswalks

•At the same time at some places not enough room

•It needs to be fixed in a proper way so kids feel comfortable

to walk to school

•How important they are for pedestrians

•I learned crosswalk, sidewalk and traffic rules

•There is not always a sidewalk or crosswalk

•Faded crosswalks: most cars don’t pay attention to walkers

Did you learn about the sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic, etc?

As a driver, will your attitude/behavior change towards pedestrians because of this event?

•Will think more about pedestrians’ safety•I’m going to drive slower•Watch out more for kids•Talk to our mayor about cleaning up sidewalks, gutters and

putting sidewalks in•I’ll be more aware of pedestrians and drive more consciously•To be very careful with pedestrians and make sure they

are safe•Respect sidewalks with pedestrians waiting•I am always careful and watch out for pedestrians-

especially small ones!

As a driver, will your attitude/behavior change towards pedestrians because of this event?

Do you have any suggestions for improving the walkability audit?

•Great exercise program and networking with other parents

and children

•We should bring bottled water and have more time and

improve maps

•Township must encourage school program for same audit

•Promote it a little more

•More participation from school

Do you have any suggestions for improving the walkability audit?

http://www.bikenwalk.com

- Contact: Dr. Wansoo Im

- Email: im@vertices.com

-Telephone: 609-651-1352

Woodbridge PHC Team

- Contact: Kim Cole

- Email: Kim.Cole@metuchen-edisonymca.org

- Telephone: 732-596-4182

Resources