Community invited to participate in ‘walk audits' to shape Boone's pedestrian future

BOONE — The town of Boone, in partnership with AARP, will host a series of community walk audits to gather community input and help inform the future of walkability and pedestrian infrastructure in Boone. Community members are encouraged to participate in the walk audits and can sign up through the Town of Boone's website, where they can also find route maps, parking information and additional event details. The audit will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 9 a.m. The walk audits are being conducted as part of the town's ongoing pedestrian planning efforts, including Boone Next and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. Participants will be divided into teams and assigned one of four designated routes throughout Boone. During the walk audits, participants will document their observations, identify barriers to safe and accessible walking, and provide feedback on opportunities to improve the pedestrian experience. A town of Boone staff member will accompany each team to guide participants through the walk audit and facilitate discussion along the route. The goal of the walk audits is to gather firsthand community perspectives that can help guide future transportation and infrastructure decisions. Community input will help the Town better understand the experiences of people walking in Boone and identify opportunities to create a safer, more accessible, and more walkable community for residents and visitors of all ages. Community members interested in participating are encouraged to sign up in advance. The registration form, along with maps of the four proposed walk audit routes, parking information, and additional details, is available through the Town of Boone's website at boonenc.gov/p&i. Registration will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15. For more information, contact Jessica Mitchell, Advanced Planning Specialist, or Jane Shook, Director of Planning & Inspections, at (828) 268-6960 or planning@townofboone.net.