CARP – Boots on the ground is the best way to test a community’s pedestrian safety.

Volunteers carried out a pedestrian safety and accessibility audit in Carp on a cool but clear Monday, May 27 morning. The audit was assisted by The Council on Aging of Ottawa (COA) volunteers on COA’s Age-Friendly Pedestrian Safety and Walkability committee. 

Participating in the audit were staff from the city’s Public Works-Environmental Services Department and the Planning, Infrastructure-Economic Development Department, the Huntley Community Association, and local seniors, including three residents and a staff member from the Carp Commons Retirement Village.  

Volunteers follow an All Season Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Checklist developed by COA and used in several community audits around Ottawa neighbourhoods.

“The focus of the audit is to provide the city and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry with information about safety and accessibility concerns in the community and to ask for repairs and sometimes structural change,” COA member and Carp resident Margaret Dunn said. “It also provides residents with an opportunity to view their surroundings from a different perspective and to become involved in advocating for positive change.”