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Create a different world

Walkable communities save lives, improve health and expand economic growth. Feet First advocates and educates to ensure that all communities in Washington are walkable. 

Become a part of our people-powered movement and go Feet First.

Beacon Hill Walking Audit

Walking is the way many people get around in Beacon Hill. With the arrival of the Link Light Rail and increasing number of shops and destinations, we believe more and more people will choose Beacon Hill as a destination to walk. 

On February 25 the public is invited to join Feet First and the Beacon Hill Merchants Association in a conversation and walk through much of North Beacon Hill’s commercial district to help identify ways to improve the pedestrian experience and connectivity to the north and south commercial areas.

This walk is part of a larger ongoing conversation with in the Beacon Hill community to examine how to create a comprehensive transportation strategy that will improve health and neighborhood vitality. 

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our 2012 Legislative Agenda

Feet First's commitment to Safe Routes to School for our children is a key part of what we do. Children, parents, teachers and policy makers around the state have benefited from our advocacy, training, walking audits, and more. All of this work is made possible, in part, by funding through Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The 2012 budget will be another difficult one for the Legislature, with many proposals already made for cutting spending and raising revenues. Whatever comes out of Olympia, we need YOUR help to make sure the State continues to fund Safe Routes to School.

Feet First is advocating in Olympia to get Safe Routes to School added to any proposed statewide transportation funding package. We'll be meeting with legislators at Transportation Advocacy Day January 31st

It's important to remind legislators that demand for Safe Routes funding has more than doubled over the past six years. During the 2011-2013 biennium, WSDOT received 124 applications totaling $43 million dollars that were received from various localities around the state. Unfortunately, there was only enough money available to fund 29 of these applications, totaling $11 million dollars.

Please take a few minutes to let your legislators know that the small investment in Safe Routes to School is important to you. Click here if you are not sure of your legislators.

Background information and sample letter can be found in PDF form here. 

BECOME A FEET FIRST MEMBER

Help us strengthen the voice for people walking throughout Washington by becoming a Feet First member, business member, sponsor, or volunteer. Your commitment demonstrates the importance of walking in all aspects of our lives.

Join us IN REDMOND 
FOR a walk & Talk  

Feet First's quarterly Walk & Talk will be held in Redmond on Thursday, May 24 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Join the walk led by Mayor Marchione, Parks Director Craig Larsen, Guy Michaelsen from Berger Partnership and local artist, John Fleming. We are pleased to showcase our newest partner Adventure Walks and their mobile application--making your Walk & Talk experience even more interactive. The unique Redmond Walk & Talk will allow you to learn about the exciting changes happening around the Connector Trail and meet the artist whose work will be showcased along the route. We invite you to join us for a hosted reception following the walk. Through a generous sponsorship from the City of Redmond this event is free, however space is limited and participants must RSVP in advance.

Take a look at our past Walk & Talk in West Seattle around the Triangle with Seattle Councilmember Tom Rasmussen or our Walk & Talk along the waterfront led by Seattle Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. Also, co-leading the Walk & Talk around Yesler Terrace discussing the housing authority's new development and the connectivity was Seattle Councilmember Nick Licata and Seattle Housing Director, Tom Tierney. 

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TOUCHSTONES: A WALKING TOUR OF RAINIER BEACH

Learn how to lead digital walking tours using technology to explore the diverse places of Rainier Beach.

The Touchstones digital walking tour will reveal the people, history, and heritage of 12 locations in Rainier Beach. Touchscreen devices will be used as portals to online content through QR codes and Wi-Fi access points at each location. Online content will tell the history of each location, explain the heritage of the community, and highlight the contributions of individual residents. Walking tour participants can contribute their own stories through touchscreen devices, sparking a collective discussion of the past and present, with the ultimate goal of engaging residents in actively shaping the future. 

Get involved! Find information on the next training event here.

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WATERSHED WALKS

Learn how to lead engaging, informative walks in your community to connect residents to their environment.

The Watershed Walks Program is designed to train Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors to educate residents about the natural ecology of the Longfellow Creek/Duwamish River Watershed. Camp Long Naturalist Jeanie Murphy-Ouellette and Feet First Volunteer Coordinator Darcy Edmunds lead this training on how to effectively engage walking groups, what environmental threats affect our watersheds, and how individuals can reduce their impact on local ecology. 

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Encouraging Walkable Communities

Take a look at our Feet First Agenda. Cities across the state are taking steps to make the places where people live, work and play easier to get to on foot. The City of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Seattle have each met all of the outlined initiatives, which allows them to be a recognized Feet First Agenda City.

This program is just another way we promote walkable communities. Help us create a more walkable community where you live by joining Feet First today.

A Thank You to Drivers from Feet First

We are all pedestrians, some of us when we leave the front door, others when we leave a car. Feet First salutes the safe drivers who make our streets and sidewalks work for everyone. Take a look at our eight driving guidelines to help create a more walkable community.