City of Vancouver News Release:Vancouver named Best Walking City in Canada

City of Vancouver News Release

May 8 , 2008

Vancouver named Best Walking City in Canada

Vancouver has been recognized as the 2008 Best Walking City in Canada by the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine (CFPM).

The award, announced this week, was established to raise awareness of the need for safe, accessible and practical urban walking routes which encourage and enable residents to walk as part of their daily life, and lead to healthier citizens and more vibrant communities.

Factors contributing to Vancouver's win included the city's natural beauty, extensive parks, and the City’s Transportation Plan which makes walking one of our top transportation priorities. The City invests in transportation options besides car use through access and safety features such as widening sidewalks, neighbourhood traffic calming, and increasing greenways. These kinds of infrastructure improvements and the continuing acquisition of parkland support and emphasize walkability. Land-use planning has supported higher densities and neighbourhoods with easy walking access to shopping and work. Vancouver was also recognized for the number of kilometres of trails in the city, its ideal year-round temperatures, good air quality and many points of interest.

"This announcement reaffirms why Vancouver is such an attractive international destination and a great place to live and work," said Mayor Sam Sullivan. "Despite this success, we are not resting on our laurels. Our government will continue to make investments to enhance pedestrian corridors around the city and complete new walking trails in association with the construction of the Olympic Village at Southeast False Creek."

"Our exceptional parks and recreation system is a major reason Vancouver is recognized as one of the most livable and now most walkable cities in the world,” said Park Board Chair Korina Houghton, “Many residents tell us walking is their primary reason for visiting parks -- from the popular Stanley Park seawall, to quiet trails that border golf courses and ponds, to scenic seaside walks."

To encourage residents to walk more and be active, the City and Park Board have created Active Communities Vancouver which provides programs, information and inspiration to be "20% more active by 2010" for enjoyment and good health. The Active Communities web pages at www.vancouverparks.ca feature more than 40 "Step Out Walks" to guide citizens in new walking adventures across the city in parks, and on trails and city streets, providing a setting for a wide range of art, history, nature and architectural theme walks. An events calendar, and tips, tools and resources on how to be active are also available on the site under the Active Communities link.

For more information:

Corporate Communications
604.871.6336

Joyce Courtney
Park Board Communications
604.257.8699

[News Release Index]