Volunteers are needed to take part in a “walkability” survey to improve the safety and accessibility of sidewalks, roads and key traffic intersections for pedestrians throughout Westchester County.

The local survey is part of a statewide “Complete Streets: Making New York Walkable for All Generations” audit that will take place from April 19 to 23 and is led by the county’s Livable Communities Connection (LCC) and AARP New York. The Livable Communities initiative is the signature project of the county’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS).

Features of “complete streets” are well thought out traffic patterns, visible white diagonal lines to mark crosswalks, unbroken sidewalks and traffic signals that allow enough time for people with limited mobility to cross the road.

These conditions are important for people of all ages but are crucial for seniors, parents holding the hands of young children or pushing infants in baby carriages and individuals who use wheelchairs.

AARP New York said that the state has the third highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country for people over age 65.

A report from the AARP Public Policy Institute said that since the end of World War II, “transportation planning has emphasized vehicular mobility, often without attention to the needs of those traveling by foot, bicycle or public transportation or those experiencing reduced function due to age.”

The walkability surveys will be conducted in each of the nine LCC regions in Westchester. More than 20 intersections will be evaluated.

Volunteers will be asked to spend a maximum of two hours at a particular intersection and then write their findings, which will be included in a Livable Community Connection report that will be shared with county officials. The findings will also be used to encourage Complete Street legislation that balances the needs of motorists and pedestrians.

Individuals interested in taking part should immediately call the coordinator in the LCC region where they live and say what days they will be available. Wheelchair users are encouraged to call in advance to be sure that the intersections to be assessed will have curb cuts. 

DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said that Complete Streets are key features of Livable Communities and urged people to volunteer for the audit.

“We believe that the best way to identify and eliminate problems is to get the reactions of people who use key intersections, especially seniors, who walk at slower paces than younger people and may need walkers,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter also said that an earlier survey uncovered critical information about the need to install lights, extend the time a red light is on, disallow right turns on a red light and introduce curb cuts.

“And in the process, we’ve made Westchester much more walkable for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges,” she said.

Regional Livable Community Connections (LCC)

North West LCC at Westchester Community College
Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Ossining, Peekskill
Contact: Hannah Gross
Tel: (914) 606-6528
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North Central LCC at Family Services of Westchester
Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Yorktown
Contact: Joni Erhlich
Tel: (914) 241-0770
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North East LCC at ALOFT
Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers
Contact: Catherine Wynkoop
Tel: (914) 764-3356
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West Central LCC at Westchester Jewish Community Services
Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Tarrytown
Contact: Linda Schultz
Tel: (914) 761-0600, ext. 314
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Mid Central LCC at ElderServe Safe Center for Seniors
Eastchester, Scarsdale, White Plains
Contact: Nancy D’Auria
Tel: (914) 368-5506
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East Central LCC at Family Services of Westchester
Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Rye/Rye Brook
Contact: Rosalie Hines
Tel: (914) 937-2320, ext.155.
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SouthWest LCC at Yonkers Office for the Aging
Yonkers
Contact: Kristen Kodl
Tel: (914) 377-6822
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South Central LCC at Family Services of Westchester
Mount Vernon
Contact: Jean Williams
Tel: (914) 668-9124, ext. 11
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South East LCC at City of New Rochelle Office for Aging in partnership with United Hebrew Geriatric
New Rochelle, Pelham/Pelham Manor
Contact: Phillis Maucieri
Tel: (914) 235-2363
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