On Thursday evening, February 24, 2005, WalkSanDiego,
the region's pedestrian safety watchdog group, presented its
Third Annual Golden Footprints Award winners. The winners were
celebrated at WalkSanDiego's annual Golden Footprints Awards
Night, a gathering of the groups members and others working
on pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and other initiatives
to make the region's communities more walking-friendly. The
event was held at Exotic Bamboo, a festive tea shop located
on University Avenue in Hillcrest.
Awards were presented in four categories: Public Agency, Non-Profit
Organization, Individual, and Project or Program. In presenting
the awards, WalkSanDiego President Jamie Moody stated, "We
hear lots of talk about smart growth, obesity prevention, and
walkable neighborhoods. The truth is, there are numerous rules,
development practices, and funding shortfalls that make creating
walkable communities a monumental task. Tonight we recognize
people who are walking the talk to make the San Diego region
more walkable." The winners:
- Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) - In
the Government Agency category, CCDC won for its many pedestrian
friendly street and building projects in Little Italy, the
Marina District, Cortez Hill, the Ballpark District, and
the Gaslamp Quarter. Example techniques include corner bulbouts,
reduced street widths, wide sidewalks, contrasting materials
in crosswalks, active building fronts rather than blank
walls, and traffic signals providing an all-way walking
phase - known as a pedestrian scramble -- at Fifth and Market
Streets.
- Downtown Encinitas Main Street Association (DEMA) and
the City of Encinitas - In the Program/Project category,
DEMA and the City of Encinitas were recognized for the rebuilding
of a portion of Coast Highway 101, the city's traditional
main street. Improvements included corner curb extensions,
new sidewalks, imbedded art reflecting local themes, new
landscaping, and diagonal parking. The $5 million project
has lead to a revival of the historic and highly walkable
downtown area. New businesses and restaurants have located
to the street, which on any given day is filled with residents
and tourists.
- Euclid Avenue Revitalization Action Program Committee
- The Euclid RAP Committee was awarded in the category of
non-profit organization. The committee was sited for its
many efforts to improve walking in the Euclid area of San
Diego. Recently, the group was successful in helping design
and install a pedestrian-friendly gateway enhancement at
Euclid and University Avenues. The committee also worked
with the city to obtain a coveted Caltrans "Environmental
Justice" grant for creating bike and pedestrian-accessible
improvements along a major portion of Euclid Avenue.
- Richard Beas - Mr. Beas won in the Individual
category for his multi-year efforts to convince the City
of San Marcos to provide a crosswalk and flashing light
system on an industrially zoned street frequently crossed
by employees going to and from a parking lot. So far, the
city has refused to provide the crosswalk. WalkSanDiego
has provided comments to the city pointing out its outdated
standards for placing crosswalks, so far to no avail. Despite
these setbacks, WalkSanDiego believes the issue has raised
the city's awareness that it must reconsider traffic standards
affecting pedestrians.
- Bureau of Customs and Border Protection - The
Customs Bureau was presented an Honorable Mention for its
SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection)
Program. The program provides rapid processing for pedestrians
who cross the border frequently and who are pre-screened
for a special pass, similar to the vehicle lane version
instituted in 1995. Since its inception in August 2004,
the pedestrian SENTRI program has enrolled over 2,500 commuters.
Ms. Moody summed up the award winners: "More than any
other governmental agency in the San Diego region, CCDC understands
what pedestrians need to feel welcome and safe, and they simply
do whatever it takes to incorporate good design in sidewalks,
intersections, parking areas, and architecture. The Highway
101 improvements have brought back a traditional Main Street.
The Customs Bureau has provided the same advantage to pedestrians
enjoyed by drivers crossing the border. At the same time,
the Euclid RAP Committee and Mr. Beas have demonstrated that
ordinary citizens can propel improvements too." Ms. Moody
continued, "These winners have set the bar high for others
to follow. We hope tonight's awards will inspire cities, design
firms, and neighborhoods around the region to take bolder
steps for walkability."
Preceding the award presentation, WalkSanDiego described its
many efforts to revamp street design standards, increase regional
funding for pedestrian improvements, and address dangerous
conditions in neighborhoods throughout the region. The group
unveiled its Next Steps Project, aimed at helping minority
residents advocate more effectively for traffic calming treatments,
sidewalk repairs, hospitable transit stops, and other pedestrian-related
improvements. In a brief presentation, WalkSanDiego Vice-President
Andy Hamilton pointed out that minorities in San Diego are
at 2-4 times greater risk of suffering a pedestrian injury
or fatality, due to higher rates of walking and transit use.
More information about WalkSanDiego and its activities and
publications can be found at www.walksandiego.org.
The Euclid Avenue Revitalization Action Plan Committee
Olympic Race Walker Philip Dunn
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WalkSanDiego is dedicated
to enhancing the livability of communities by making
walking a safe and viable choice for all people.
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