The Walk Safely Milwaukie Program (WSMP) is intended to empower Milwaukie’s neighborhoods to identify and implement local projects and other citizen-led activities to make walking in Milwaukie a more comfortable and commonplace experience.
Milwaukie City Council Resolution 83-2010 enacted a three-year Pilot WSMP. WSMP makes funds available for capital projects and educational/awareness initiatives designed to improve the walkability of the community.
This program is unique in that it seeks to broaden the range of ideas, efforts, and comprehension of what makes a walkable city. Traveling on foot between neighborhood destinations enhances livability and promotes health and well being while at the same time signaling to drivers to slow down. Pedestrian safety projects and traffic calming devices that improve walking conditions within neighborhoods have the potential to decrease traffic speeds and vehicular noise levels. As a result, these projects can strengthen community identity and pride, put more eyes on the street, and potentially deter crime and other unwanted activity. With that in mind, the most successful projects will be those that directly improve the environment for walking.
The first step to apply for funding is to contact your Neighborhood District Association (NDA). By nature, NDAs are most aware of on-the-ground conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Each year, NDAs are supported by staff in documenting these conditions through a neighborhood "Walk Safely Report", a catalog of current conditions, challenges, and priorities in your community. The deadline for Walk Safely Reports is Feb 15th of each year. NDAs use feedback from the reports to develop project ideas and submit proposals.
Guidance for preparing the report, including a template and each NDA's 2011 report is available here
Your input on walking conditions, concerns, and ideas is important and encouraged! Please contact your Neighborhood District Association (NDA) or the City's Community Development Department at (503) 786-7600 for more information.
