MDOT to Evaluate Trenton's 'Walkability'
The Michigan Department of Transportation is visiting several Michigan communities throughout August to evaluate walking conditions.
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Just because a city has sidewalks and stoplights doesn’t make it a great place to take a walk.
Each year, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) executes "walkability" evaluations to determine if improvements can be made to walking conditions in several communities throughout Michigan.
Trenton was among seven communities selected to participate in a "walkability" audit slated for August 16.
The free audit will be conducted by Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, along with Trenton officials, to evaluate conditions and offer improvement ideas.
Burden has 40 years of experience in developing, promoting and evaluating active transportation facilities, traffic calming practices and sustainable community design, according to an MDOT release.
The audit will focus on two important areas in Trenton's Downtown Development Authority, or business districts, near West Jefferson between City Hall and Rotary Park and along West Road between the Cultural Center and Fort Street.
Mary Bohling, educator at the Michigan State University extension sea grant program, said the audit would allow Trenton officials to collaborate with regional efforts like the Downriver Linked Greenways and the International Wildlife Refuge.
Other Michigan communities receiving audits are Paw Paw, Alpine Township, Wyoming, Meridian Township, Gaylord and Detroit.
Those interested in finding out the walkability of their Trenton neighborhood can visit www.walkscore.com.
In This article
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City of Trenton City Hall
2800 3rd St, Trenton, MI -
Rotary Park
Harrison Ave & Riverside Dr, Trenton, MI -
Trenton Cultural Center
2427 West Rd, Trenton, MI -
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Nate Stemen
10:52 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Where are the best and worst places to walk in Trenton?
Eva Deck
11:38 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The best places to walk or cycle are the bike path along the Frank & Poet Creek and Elizabeth Park. The neighborhoods are good as well because there are sidewalks. The worst places to walk are West Jefferson except in the downtown area, Fort Street, and King which have no sidewalks and make getting from one neighborhood to another or from Trenton to Woodhaven difficult without a car.