|
| |
|
|
About Us
The Issue
Southern California neighborhoods built after World War
II were designed primarily for cars. People who would like
to walk to the store, a transit stop, or for recreation
frequently find the walking environment unpleasant or dangerous.
The San Diego region ranks third in the nation (behind New
York and Miami) in the percentage of traffic fatalities
that are pedestrians (22.5% - double the national average
of 11.4%). Sidewalks commonly abut a busy street, or there
is no sidewalk at all. Intersections are too wide, or make
no provision whatsoever for pedestrians. A generation ago,
children walked to school; today this is rare, due largely
to poor walking conditions. One result is a drastic reduction
in physical activity and a burgeoning obesity epidemic and
its associated diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
See our slide show on how this
problem arose and what we can do to fix it.
What We Do
WALKSanDiego is a regional, grassroots organization formed
in 1998 and dedicated to making our neighborhoods more walkable.
Through our educational events, training, advocacy, and
work with local governments and SANDAG, WALKSanDiego is
working to reclaim our streets and blocks through improved
streetscape designs, accessible walking paths, and traffic
calming measures. See our current
projects and past accomplishments.
Help Your Own Neighborhood
WALKSanDiego can't be everywhere at once, so we rely on
neighborhood leaders and concerned citizens to help diagnose
walkability problems and request local government action
to change dangerous streets and intersections. We've provided
tools to help you. Peruse
the publications at the bottom of the Home Page to see
what we mean.
Support Our Work
You can help change the world of walking by becoming a
WALKSanDiego member, through corporate sponsorship, or by
volunteering. All contributions are tax-deductible. See
more information
|
Staff
Ken
Grimes, Executive Director
kgrimes@walksandiego.org
 Ken
Grimes has worked throughout his career in the public
and nonprofit sectors to strengthen local communities
and improve the quality of life, particularly for low
income residents. He has extensive experience helping
neighborhood groups work in partnership with local government
and increasing community participation in decision making.
As Executive Director of one of the largest community
based nonprofits in Wiltshire, England he led a team
of community development specialists delivering social,
economic and environmental programs funded by European,
regional and local government agencies. In this capacity
he served on the boards of a number of regional and
national organizations in the UK, and worked with nonprofits
and public sector agencies in Russia, Japan and Brazil.
A former housing planner at the San Diego Housing Commission,
he played a leading role in developing and implementing
the Housing Trust Fund, and the citywide inclusionary
housing program. He has co-authored a number of articles
on housing and community development which have appeared
in the Journal of the American Planning Association
and other planning publications. He received his
Masters degree in City Planning from San Diego State
University and holds an undergraduate degree in sociology
from the University of Bath. |
Leah
Ostenberg, LEED AP, CNU-A, Program Manager
lostenberg@walksandiego.org
Before joining WalkSanDiego, Leah was a Community Planner
for RBF Consulting's Urban Design Studio, where she
worked on projects ranging from community outreach to
homeless and housing needs assessments to detailed urban
design plans. Before moving to San Diego, Leah was an
Independent Consultant for the City of East St. Louis,
Illinois where she worked directly with the Mayor and
City Manager in their City-Wide Clean-Up projects. In
this role, Leah coordinated and organized volunteer
efforts, and created a database containing illegal dumping
locations, among other tasks. Leah holds a Bachelor's
degree in Biology from Principia College and a Master
of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of
Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. |
Cynthia
Offenhauer, Administrator
coffenhauer@walksandiego.org
 Cynthia
has had extensive experience working in organizations
in administrative and bookkeeping support roles. She
prefers living in urban areas, living in both in Boston
and San Diego while raising a family. Most days she
walks, cycles or use mass transit for both commuting
and pleasure. She and her husband are active in sustainable
living pursuits and enjoy the beach and sailing in their
spare time. Mayor Jerry Sanders recently recognized
them as "Urban Environmentalists" and featured
their native plant garden in a press conference he held
at their home. She is a graduate of Saint Louis University
with a degree in Social Work and attended the Advanced
Study for Business Program at Radcliffe College in Cambridge,
MA. |
Juan
Antonio Ramirez, Project Coordinator
jaramirez@walksandiego.org
Before joining WALKSanDiego, Juan Antonio worked
in the non-profit and private sector where he obtained
valuable experience in community outreach, especially
in underserved communities. As a native Spanish speaker
and coming from a Latino family, Juan Antonio understands
the needs of Latin underserved communities and the many
benefits of walkable communities. Juan Antonio received
his Masters in City Planning Degree from San Diego State
University and did his internship in the Municipal Planning
Institute in the City of Tijuana, Mexico where he obtained
his undergraduate degree. |
Kathleen
Ferrier, AICP, Contract Project Manager
Before joining WALKSanDiego for the Health
Equity by Design Project, Kathleen worked in the private
sector where she worked with healthy communities concepts,
specifically improved walkability design concepts and
traffic calming techniques. She also has experience
with transportation policy, smart growth concepts, and
affordable housing and development policies. As a WALKSanDiego
Boardmember, Kathleen led walk audits and assisted in
capacity building efforts to educate community members
about healthy community components. Kathleen received
her Masters in City Planning Degree from San Diego State
University. Prior to obtaining a Masters degree, Kathleen
volunteered for the United States Peace Corps in El
Salvador working with rural, subsistent farming families,
with a large representation of Mestizo heritage. She
is fluent in Spanish. |
WALKSanDiego Board of Directors
Andy
Hamilton, President
ahamilton@walksandiego.org
Andy Hamilton has worked on transportation, land use,
and air quality issues at the San Diego Air Pollution
Control District since 1994. His work includes promoting
alternatives to motor vehicles, including walking. From
1986-1993, he did similar work as a staff scientist
at the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston. Andy holds
a bachelors degree in Biology from the University of
Kansas, a masters degree in Ecology from UC Davis, and
a masters degree in Urban & Environmental Policy
from Tufts University in Boston. Andy is the author
of the District's publication, Tools for Reducing
Vehicle Trips Through Land Use Design and WALKSanDiego's
SlowDown! Taming Neighborhood Traffic. |
Dave
Schumacher, Chair
dschumacher@walksandiego.org
Dave Schumacher has worked on public transportation
and land use planning issues for nearly 25 years, first
with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development
Board and now with the San Diego Association of Governments
(SANDAG) where he oversees the transit planning section.
He is a strong believer the role walking and public
transit can play in creating a more sustainable transportation
system; he practices what he preaches by walking to
work twice a week and taking transit the other days.
He recently served as chair of committee on High Occupancy
Vehicle Systems for the Transportation Research Board.
Dave holds a Bachelors degree in Geography from San
Diego State University and a Master in City and Regional
Planning from the JFK School of Government at Harvard. |
Chad
Spoon, Secretary
cspoon@walksandiego.org
Chad Spoon is a Research Coordinator for Active Living
Research. He received his master of regional planning
degree with a specialization in transportation and land
use management from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining Active Living Research,
Chad worked with Active Living by Design in Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, where he assisted with their community
partnerships. His interest in active living stems from
his pedestrian and bicycle planning background. Chad
helps manage the grant review process and offers ongoing
technical assistance and training to grantees. |
Cindy
Musser, CPA, Treasurer
cmusser@walksandiego.org
 As
Treasurer, Cindy Chairs the Finance Committee and holds
responsibility for overseeing and monitoring budgets
and financial controls. She joined Gatto, Pope &
Walwick, a San Diego firm of Certified Public Accountants
in 2003. Her financial experience as an Audit Supervisor
includes compilations, reviews and audits, general business
advisory services and computerized accounting system
consulting; her tax experience includes income tax planning
and preparation for individuals and corporations. She
is a firm believer in active lifestyles and the importance
of making walking a safe and viable option for all San
Diegans. A native Californian, Cindy grew up in Visalia,
CA and is a graduate of CSU, Fresno, Class of 1995.
Cindy enjoys traveling, walking, running and reading
and also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees
of Coastlands Church. |
Amanda
Wilson
awilson@walksandiego.org
 Amanda
Wilson is a research coordinator for Active Living Research
(ALR). Amanda received her Master of Science degree
from the University of Florida. Before moving to San
Diego, she was the assistant event director for Bike
Florida, an annual, weeklong bicycle and tent camping
tour. With an undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise
Sciences from Gettysburg College, her main interest
is in how recreation administrators, health organizations
and advocacy groups, like WALKSanDiego, can work together
to promote policies that support safe, accessible, places
for walking, bicycling and physical activity. |
Laura
Cote
lcote@walksandiego.org
 Laura
Coté is the Director of Administration at the
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) where
she is responsible for leading the agency's administrative
function, and in partnership with its executive team
serves as a catalyst for building and increasing organizational
capacity and effectiveness. Laura joined the agency
in 2006 as the Human Resources Manager and prior to
her role at SANDAG she was the Managing Partner of the
Coté Group, a strategic human resources consulting
agency with offices in Salem, MA and San Diego, CA.
She holds a BA from the University of California, Riverside,
a paralegal certificate from the University of San Diego
and several professional distinctions within the psychometrics
field. Laura grew up in Germany where walking was a
way of life - to school, to the market, to the park.
She currently enjoys sailing, traveling, hiking and
yoga. |
WALKSanDiego
Advisory Council
Nico
Calavita, Ph.D.
Professor - Public Administration, City Planning
Graduate Program, San Diego State University
Nico Calavita has taught at SDSU since 1980, including
courses in the History of Urban Planning, Urban Design
and Planning Implementation. He is also an adjunct professor
in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at UCSD, where
he teaches a course in land use planning. He has written
extensively about urban growth and affordable housing.
His articles on the politics of growth, inclusionary
housing, and housing trust funds have appeared in the
Journal of the American Planning Association, Housing
Policy Debate and the Journal of the Associate
Schools of Planning. He writes regular commentaries
in the San Diego Union and Los Angeles
Times on growth and housing issues. He is Co-chair
of SALUD (Scholars for Active Living through Urban Design).
|
Hon.
Mary Sessom
Mayor, City of Lemon Grove
Mary Sessom resides in Lemon Grove with her husband,
Steve, and her two teenage children, Jared and Anna.
Prior to being elected to the Lemon Grove City Council
in 1994, she was active in her community serving as
PTA president and Vice President of the Lemon Grove
Education Foundation. Outside of the city, and based
on her 20 years as a lawyer, Ms. Sessom served as a
Judge Pro Tem of the Superior Court (1990-1991), Past
President of the Foothills Bar Association (1995) and
was appointed by San Diego County Supervisor Dianne
Jacob to the Board of Trustees for the San Diego County
Law Library (1995-1996). Ms. Sessom was elected Mayor
of Lemon Grove in 1996, and was re-elected in March
2000. Not only is she the city's first directly-elected
mayor, but also its first female mayor. When not working
at City Hall, she teaches at Cuyamaca Community College.
She serves as a director for SANDAG and is a member
of the Salvation Army Ad Hoc Committee for the Kroc
Community Center. Ms. Sessom has been a Soroptimist
since 1993. For recreation, she studies Tai Chi and
holds a red belt and an honorary black belt in Tae Kwon
Do. |
Michael
J. Stepner, FAIA, FAICP, FIUD
Principal, Stepner Design Group
Michael Stepner has over 30 years of experience in leading,
managing, and participating in comprehensive planning
programs and the development of public policy. He is
a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a
Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners,
and a Fellow of the Institute for Urban Design. Currently,
Mr. Stepner serves as Director of Land Use and Housing
for the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
Previously, he was the City Architect for the City of
San Diego and has served as an advisor to the cities
of Washington, DC; Seattle, Washington; Orlando, Florida;
Kingman, Arizona; Coronado, California; National City,
California; Liverpool, England; and others. He is internationally
recognized for his leadership and innovation in community
planning, public participation, visioning and, particularly,
for his reliable follow-through to implementation. He
served as the Dean of the New School of Architecture
& Design and continues that association as an adjunct
professor in addition to lecturing at various colleges
and universities throughout the country. Mr. Stepner
has received numerous awards from community and professional
organizations for his accomplishments in the planning
field and is listed in Who's Who in America. |
James
Sallis, Ph.D.
Professor - Psychology, San Diego State University
James Sallis is a professor in the Department of Psychology
at San Diego State University, where he has taught since
1992. He is also an adjunct professor in the Department
of Pediatrics at UCSD. He has taught courses on "Physical
Activity and Public Health" and "Risk, Risk-Taking,
and Lifestyle Change." Dr. Sallis is a member of
the International Advisory Board for Physical Activity,
Sport and Health Policy Research Centre of the Flemish
Government in Belgium; the Board of Advisors for Kalsugan
Community Services and Filipino-American Wellness Center
in San Diego; and the Scientific Advisory Council of
the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center at the
University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver,
Colorado. He has written extensively on health and physical
activity issues for families, children, students and
patients. He currently heads the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation's Active Living Research project aimed at
understanding neighborhood design components that promote
routine physical activity. |
Linda
Scott
LKS & Associates
Linda Scott was the 2003 President of the San Diego
and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Public
Works Association, and past recipient of that organization's
award for Outstanding Service in the Private Sector.
Linda has an avid interest in making communities work
better. She is a past chair and current member of the
Scripps Ranch Planning Group and a recipient of the
Scripps Ranch Civic Association's Community Service
Award. She works as a Project Manager for McGill Martin
Self, Inc., specializing in the implementation and financing
of public infrastructure. She was a member of the SANDAG
Walkable Communities Advisory Committee. |
Kathleen
A. Garcia, ASLA
Director, Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC
Kathleen Garcia, a registered Landscape Architect, practices
planning, landscape architecture, and urban design throughout
the country. She is a Principal in the nationally recognized
firm of Wallace Roberts & Todd LLC, where she is
the director of the San Diego office. Ms. Garcia holds
a mayoral appointment in San Diego as a Planning Commissioner,
the sole landscape architect to have served in that
capacity. Ms. Garcia was the former chair of the Citizens
Committee on Urban Form & Environment for the Strategic
Plan 2020 (City of Villages) and has continued with
its direction as a Planning Commissioner. In addition
to her citywide appointment, Ms. Garcia also serves
on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Economic
Development Corporation (SEDC). A native Californian,
Ms. Garcia is a graduate of UC Berkeley and Harvard
University's Graduate School of Design. |
Mark
D. Rohrlick
Principal, Westmark Development, Southern California
Mark has been involved in real estate in Southern California
for more than 20 years. Mark is responsible for managing
planning efforts for large community acquisitions for
Westmark Development. Previously, Mark managed Lennar
Communities' development activities in San Diego County,
including The Bressi Ranch, a unique, walkable community
in the City of Carlsbad. Mark is a member of the Board
of Directors for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, a
member of the North County Board of Directors for the
Building Industry Association (BIA) of San Diego County,
and is also a member of the Presidents Council of the
BIA. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (1982),
and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
Mark also holds a private pilot's license and a California
State General Engineering Contractors License. |
Monica
Zech
Media Chair
Native San Diegan Monica Zech spent 29 years in broadcasting,
the last 18 years as an award-winning traffic reporter
for radio and television. She now works as the Public
Information Officer and Safety Educator for the City
of El Cajon Fire Dept. She has spent endless hours as
an injury prevention speaker and researcher, delivering
weekly safety lectures to schools, local groups and
military bases. Monica is professionally and personally
aware of pedestrian safety issues in San Diego. The
pedestrian safety issue became especially important,
and personal, when Monica's own father was killed as
a pedestrian on June 5, 1992, in the city of La Mesa.
For many years, Monica has been delivering pedestrian
safety lectures to senior groups, company safety meetings,
and local schools. Those interested in a safety talk
can contact Monica through her web site at www.monicazech.com.
|
Ramona
Finnila
Principal, Finnila & Associates
Ramona Finnila served as a City of Carlsbad councilperson.
She was the Mayor Pro Tem from 1996-98 and 2004. Ms.
Finnila provided council leadership for Carlsbad's Livable
Streets and Livable Neighborhoods initiatives to increase
walking within the city. Ms. Finnila has been involved
in the Carlsbad community since the late 1970's. She
was a teacher and counselor at the Yamaha Music School
in Carlsbad from 1977-81. She took many leadership positions
within the Carlsbad school district throughout that
time. In the late 1980's she became involved in several
regional government committees, and in the 1990's served
as Vice Chair of the SANDAG Transportation Subcommittee,
along with several other SANDAG committees. Ms. Finnila
has served on the Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Commission,
the Juvenile Justice Panel of the Police Dept., and
the Carlsbad Unified School District/City Council Coordinating
Committee. |
|
|
|
 |
|
