City receives grant from America Walks
Alexandria, La. (Jan. 7, 2020)—The City of Alexandria has been selected to receive one of 19 Community Change Grants awarded by America Walks for use in 2020.
“We are excited about the grant and thankful to America Walks for seeing the value of this project aimed at bringing people together downtown to exercise, chat and meet on a path that is marked and monitored,” said Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “The Safe Harbor Walking Path is a program that ties in perfectly with the Harbor Patrol and the installation of cameras downtown.”
Downtown Alexandria has had a lot of positive changes come its way in the past few years. As the landscape has changed, attracting more people to come downtown and ensuring safety has been a priority, according to Hall. The mayor’s Harbor Patrol program dedicated police officers patrolling the downtown area and the installed of security cameras to further enhance safety. To coordinate with that program, the City will be marking those paths as the “Safe Harbor Walking Path.” This, path, which will be paid for by the America Walks grant, will let citizens know that while they are shopping, going to class, visiting a government building or just exercising, they are being monitored by cameras and can be assured the path is a safe one.
Alexandria was selected from more than 400 applications for projects that demonstrate the passion, creativity and commitment of local walking champions. The City will work with America Walks to successfully complete the project and share lessons with other community change agents. While the projects and programs work to improve walkability, the results of each grant will have a positive change on many areas of that community.
“At a time when pedestrian fatalities are at an all-time high and communities continue to try and find ways to be healthy, these grants provide support to those doing the hard, inspiring work at the local level,” said Executive Director Kate Kraft. “We are excited to work with these communities and use their efforts and stories to encourage other walking champions.”
America Walks is a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing communities and advocates the resources to advance safe, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and be physically active for all. The program, now in its fifth year and supported by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, Lyft, the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD), Oregon Walks, and WalkBoston, provides funds that support grassroots efforts aimed at creating safe, accessible and enjoyable places to walk and move.
Contact:
Cynthia D. Jardon
Communications
318.449.5025
318.955.9463
cynthia.jardon@cityofalex.com
