Northampton walk friendly communityCITY OF NORTHAMPTON
Mayor David J. Narkewicz
City Hall, 210 Main Street Room 12
Northampton, MA 01060-3199
(413) 587-1249 Fax: (413) 587-1275
mayor@northamptonma.gov
Contact: For Release Thursday September 6, 2012
Mayor David Narkewicz, 587-1249
Wayne Feiden, 587-1265
Northampton Names Bronze Walk Friendly Community
Mayor David J. Narkewicz announced this morning that Northampton was named a Bronze Walk Friendly Community. Walk Friendly Communities (www.walkfriendly.org) names communities Walk
Friendly when they show “a commitment to improving walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans and policies.”
“This is a great honor and reflects Northampton's strong commitment to making our city more livable and sustainable. I have been pleased to work with our Transportation and Parking
Commission, Department of Public Works, Office of Planning and Development, and Police Department to support these efforts,” said Mayor Narkewicz. Mayor Narkewicz's involvement extends
to his work on these issues as a City Councilor and the longtime Chair of the Transportation and Parking Commission.
The designation of Northampton as a Bronze Walk Friendly Community follows last year’s designation of Northampton as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. As of today, Northampton is
the only Massachusetts community listed on the Complete Streets Coalition’s website as having a complete streets policy, where all roads should be friendly for vehicles, bicycles and
pedestrians.
“Northampton’s comprehensive plans and our actions over the past decade have been dedicated to improve transportation for everyone, whether you drive, use a shared car, take a bus, bicycle
or walk,” said Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Development. “Our growing rail trail network has won many kudos, but the sidewalks that the Planning Board requires developers
to build to their projects, DPW’s new bicycle and pedestrian focus for every construction project, and the Police Departments efforts to educate the public to reduce unsafe driving behavior
are all part of the City’s comprehensive approach.”
###