On November 15, 2006, WalkSanDiego presented its fourth annual Golden Footprints Awards at the San Diego Downtown Information Center. These awards honor individuals, projects and organizations who are leading the way to a more walkable region. Presenting the awards for WalkSanDiego was Andy Pendoley, President of WalkSanDiego. Awards were presented in four categories.

Government Agency Category
The City of San Diego was awarded for its many pedestrian-friendly street and building projects throughout the city, new street design policies, lighting policies, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access programs, a Traffic Calming Program, and a forthcoming Pedestrian Master Plan, all designed to support walkable communities. Example projects include the pedestrian design improvements seen throughout Downtown; the dramatic roundabouts, reduced street widths, and new landscaping on La Jolla Boulevard in La Jolla; a planned redesign of University Avenue in North Park; and policies such as the City of Villages growth strategy that, over time, will make walking safer and more enjoyable as roads are rebuilt and new development is added.

Project or Program Category
Caltrans District 11 was recognized for its multi-agency effort to build a more walker and bicycling-friendly border crossing that became known as Friendship Plaza. The highlight of the project is a widened, colored concrete walkway lined with artwork. The design concept is the mission theme, which unites California and Baja California. All the missions from Northern California to Cabo San Lucas are depicted along the walkway. A dashed line represents the El Camino Real Trail, which connected all the missions. Other features of the project include a widened one-way bike path with k-rail, new fencing along the entire border, new landscaping, benches, trash cans, bike racks, lighting, and a reorganized bus loading area.

Non-Profit Organization Category
This small nonprofit organization, the City Heights Community Development Corporation has made a large impact on pedestrian safety in this ethnically diverse community. It worked with residents to recommend traffic calming and school pedestrian safety measures in four neighborhoods; raised $20,000 for enhanced crosswalks at key locations; brought the San Diego Unified School District and the Redevelopment Agency together to fund new curb extensions and enhance the crosswalks at a new elementary school; sponsored the creation of streetscape art at another elementary school and an alley pedestrian plaza. The CDC also organized nine elementary schools to participate in Walk to School Day and worked with Councilman Jim Madaffer's office and city staff to create walking maps for several schools.

Individual Category
Ms. Buffo serves on the Board of the El Cajon Community Development Corporation, which nominated her for the award in the Individual Category. Ms. Buffo has dedicated significant time and effort to pedestrian advocacy as one of the CDC's founding board members. She participates on a variety of committees that support a pedestrian-friendly Downtown El Cajon. By creating and implementing Walk About in Downtown El Cajon, a self-guided walking path, and by being involved with the successful intersection stamping on Main and Magnolia, she has contributed significantly to transforming the area into the most pedestrian-friendly section of El Cajon.

Government Agency Category: Andy Pendoley presents award to Tanya Duggan from San Diego City Mayor Jerry Sanders' office.

Project or Program Category: Andy Pendoley with Emilio Viramontes, who is holding the award and Dan Gallagher (to Emilio's right) of Caltrans District 11. Along with them are other project team members.

Non-Profit Organization Category: Andy Pendoley presents award to Andrea Groves and Jay Powell of City Heights Community Development Corporation.

Individual Category: Andy Pendoley presents award to Peg Buffo of El Cajon Community Development Corporation. With Ms. Buffo is Eagle Scout James Oakes, whose Eagle Scout project involved developing the downtown El Cajon self-guided walking path.