N.C. Cooperative Extension, Swain County Center has assessed town’s walkability
Written by: Sara Eisinger - sara@thesmokymountaintimes.com
A walk audit was completed by members and friends of N.C. Cooperative Extension, Swain County Center to assess Bryson City walkability in April, May and June.
“Our plan is to compile all the input and photos and create a report to present to the town aldermen and county commission and apply for available grant funding,” said Shannon Royce, family and consumer sciences and cooperative extension agent. “There may be future audits with elected officials and NCDOT based on the response to the reports we present.”
The extension organized three official audits.
“We had people do individual ones and then submit their audits to us,” said Royce.
Official audits were conducted on April 16 at 8:30 a.m., May 14 at 8:30 a.m. and June 11 at 6 p.m.
Three people attended the first audit. The second audit saw four attendees and the final audit drew seven.
“We pretty much did all the town limits,” Royce said. “From the corner of Main to Everett Street, Everett to Bryson Walk and Bryson Place, Island Street, Depot Street, Bryson Street, Greenlee Street, Ramseur Street, Mitchell Street, Slope Street and the School House Hill area.”
Royce reported feeling disappointed by the lack of interest and participation shown by residents.
“The audits are important, more so when you have community support to gather information on the pros and cons of the walkability, accessibility of our town related to physical activity and economic development,” said Royce.
The extension’s walk audit identified several key areas in need of improvement such as trees and sidewalks.
“Many (trees) need to be trimmed back to allow for easier maneuverability and sight,” Royce said. “Some need to be replaced with a more sidewalk friendly species as the roots have come up into the sidewalk in several areas.”
Auditors identified some positives along their walks such as new sidewalks, landscaping and lighting along Island Street that was completed with grant money.
“The new area near the train was well done with the crosswalks, landscaping and sidewalks,” said Royce.
This was the extension’s first walk audit.
“There hasn’t been a walk audit assessment for town per say,” said Royce. “However, there is the plan the town manager gave to us and the project that the planning board is working on from the Main Street and Everett intersection, eastward on old Highway 19.”
Royce thanked all who participated in helping the extension identify areas in need of improvement.
“We would like to thank all our volunteers that came out and participated in each of the Walk Audits: Cynthia Womble, Amber Johnston, Molly and Corey Kennedy, Julie and Tom Richards,” Royce said.
News article appear in the Smoky Mountain Times 6.26 edition
