Nationally renowned advocate for walkability and health Mark Fenton spoke before a full house of about 70 local leaders in Knoxville on Friday, April 8.
Fenton spoke about the need to improve walkability through quality design of corridors, developments and communities. Community design can promote walking and physical activity in ways that encouragement and other health messages can't, Fenton told the group.
Fenton spoke before an audience made up of elected officials, planning commissioners from around the region, local government staff, and walkability advocates at Knoxville Station Transit Center. He then led a walk audit with about 40 participants along nearby streets to discuss how improvements could be made to make walking a safer and more attractive transportation option.
The TPO, along with the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission, sponsored the walkability workshop.