AARP Pennsylvania recently participated in the first 2024 Walk Audit along North Broad Street.

This first community Walk Audit was launched by The Philadelphia Livable Communities Network — which consists of community organizations like AARP Pennsylvania, HACE, North Broad Renaissance, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Philadelphia Orchard Project, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Clean Air Council, and Feet First Philly — and they were joined by representatives from Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability, the Streets Department, and Councilmember Jeffrey Young’s office.

Participants in the AARP Walk Audit survey noted street conditions and whether the stretch of North Broad Street, between Spring Garden and Girard, is accessible to anyone who needs to traverse the area. The group gathered after the Audit at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging to discuss its initial findings.

The Livable Communities Network will host at least two more walk audits this spring and summer. After this, the Network intends to create a final report from three major corridors and work with the council members and Mayor Parker’s administration to implement necessary changes by the community members and experts from the administration and councilmanic offices.

AARP Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Livable Communities Network will have updates on the walk audit series throughout the spring and summer. Interested AARP volunteers should contact AARP PA Associate State Director Yocasta Lora at ylora@aarp.org.

About Community Walk Audits

Community Walk Audits allow community members to identify where and how to improve the walkability of their cities, towns, and neighborhoods. During this activity, participants conduct a simple “walkability” survey.

Research consistently shows that most people age 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities for as long as possible. Unfortunately, many communities are not designed to support older residents. To empower communities nationwide, AARP works with strategic partners to raise awareness about the need for age-friendly livable communities.

For over a decade, Philadelphia’s Age-Friendly Action Plan has served as the blueprint for the Livable Communities Network to work together to make the commonwealth’s largest city a place that is good for growing up and growing older.

The Livable Communities team recognizes that a Walk Audit is a proactive first step to help inform local decision-making by prioritizing areas needing improvement and educating community members about the importance of street and sidewalk design.

Learn more at AARP Pennsylvania. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment.