May 17, 2012
Active Living Initiative Scores Doraville on Ease of Walking and Biking 0
The Doraville Active Living Initiative held a meeting a few nights ago where they shared the results of their Walkability and Bikeability study of the city. The result: not bad overall, but there are some areas for improvement. The Northwoods area scored 24/30 on walkability, Tilly Mill and Oakcliff are still not fully assessed. On Bikability, Oakcliff scored 25/30, Tilly Mill got 23/30, and Northwoods was assessed at 21.5/30. Not bad, but like I said – still some room for improvement.
A photo album containing the results of the walkability assessment can be found here. A similar album containing results of the bikeability assessment is here.
Northwoods resident Margaret Jo Reilly was at the meeting, and passed along the following notes about the Active Living Initiative:
- This study is a joint project of the DeKalb Board of Health and the CDC.
- Funds are made available by the Atlanta Regional Commission and more info can be found on this website. $190,000 is allocated for the livability project. Funds have already been allocated for access in commercial/public areas, most notably a pedestrian access sidewalk following Shallowford connecting Buford Hwy. to P’tree Ind.
- The bad news – only 15% of the $190,000 is left for residential use and there is a preference for “safe route to school” projects so I think Northwoods and most other communities are out of luck.
- Other than the above project, there are no grant opportunities that the committee is aware of, but they suggested contacting peds.org to get info on possible grants.
- Considerable concern was shown for the need for sidewalks or similar pathways on Tilly Mill Rd. and Winters Chapel Rd.
- Surveys were given out for seniors and those that may not have internet access to download them. Northwoods had a good showing and no more surveys are needed for that area. Some surveys for other areas in Doraville are still needed.
- The next Movie Under the Stars at Honeysuckle Park on 5/26/2012 will be “We bought a Zoo”.
- Luke Howe, ass’t. to the mayor, told everyone that he is always accessible for these and other concerns and can be reached at luke.howe@doraville.ga.us
- The final meeting date will be in late July and we will be notified as to when.
