Tama and Toledo residents perform the walking audit in downtown Toledo. Photo by Cyote Williams.

On June 2, Ethan Standard, who is the Community Health Improvement Manager for Wellmark as part of the Healthy Hometown Powered by Wellmark initiative, came to Toledo to perform a walking audit and help provide some insight on how improvements can be made to downtown to make the city more walkable.

Standard’s focus was not only on how to make the city more walkable for its residents and in turn make the area safer but also to bring more business and life to the downtown area.

A walking audit is when a group or individual walks parts of the community to determine what areas need improvements to make walking more accessible for the people who live there — including upgrading sidewalks to make them wider, building trails and connecting them to key parts of town and updating crosswalks to make them more visible to drivers.

Crosswalk signs are often ignored by drivers. Standard said that less than 15% of cars stop on their own for crosswalks that do not flash, but crosswalks with flashing lights see that number jump up to over 85%. According to Standard, these types of changes have been successful in other Iowa communities such as Belle Plaine and LeClaire.

Wayfinding was another important aspect of the walking audit. Having proper signage in place that shows people where key community destinations are and how to reach them on foot.

Community health improvement manager Ethan Standard presented to the group extended crosswalks that would allow safer crossing. Photo by Cyote Williams

These signs can be a massive help in directing people to local businesses, parks, and other community amenities that would get locals and travelers involved in the city.

Safety when walking was a major topic of discussion. High speeds and a lack of crosswalks on the 17th Street and Highway 63 intersection make it dangerous to cross.

Pocket parks and pop-up outdoor spaces were two ideas Standard presented to the walking audit group. Pocket parks could go in empty lots that aren’t occupied by businesses, and these small parks could bring some liveliness to the downtown area while providing a space for children to play.

Pop-up outdoor spaces would take over a parking space or several spaces and create an outdoor seating area for a coffee shop or other business without taking up space on the sidewalk. Losing a couple parking spaces in front of a business could be a concern for some, “Cars don’t spend money, people do,” Standard said in response. “While you may push one or two cars down the street, the amount of people and seating you can fit into those parking spaces would make up for that in a big way.”

The cities of Tama and Toledo listed pedestrian connections and safer routes to schools as two of their top priorities. The possible changes presented by Iowa Living Roadways would make both of those priorities doable with some easy changes.

The proposed changes after surveys by Tama and Toledo residents, focus group participants and input from the Tama and Toledo Community Visioning steering committees are:

Traffic calming measures and signage for increased pedestrian and vehicular safety.

Connect existing sidewalks to provide better connections between existing amenities such as the Tama-Toldeo Water Park, STC High School and elementary school, both Tama and Toledo’s downtown areas.

Improving downtown Tama with better wayfinding, on-street parking, and community projects such as pocket parks and wall murals.

Connecting the Tama Rec Trail and Cherry Lake.

Rethinking Oakhill Park between State and McClellan Street to better accommodate residents and their children.

Improving downtown Toledo with better wayfinding, pop-up outdoor spaces for businesses and activities, and increased on-street parking.

Increasing access to existing amenities such as Toledo Heights Park and South Tama Recreational Trail.

Improve existing sidewalks within the areas south of downtown Toledo.

The new proposed trails and sidewalks that could be added to the community would be:

-Toledo Heights Park to Highway 63 via Prospect and Ross.

-Old football field to Elm Street via Ross Street (one block)

-Ross Street to the business district via Highway 63.

-Tama Rec Trail and Toledo City Hall to the business district and Broadway Street via First/Second street to Prospect Drive.

-Mill Street to Second street via Broadway Street.

-Lincoln Highway Trail — continue into Tama.

-Park Loop Trail (Summit to Church to 16th to Broadway, loops around the Tama-Toledo Family Aquatic Center and Oak Park)

-Oakhill Park to STC High School via 17th street.

-STC High School to Toledo via Highway 63

-13th Street to Sesame Drive.

-Highway 63 to Oakhill Cemetery via 9th Street.

-Garfield Street to Iowa Premium Beef via Fifth Street and Lincoln Highway.

-Tama Rec Trail to Cherry Lake Trail via Siegel and the City Hall parking lot.

-Downtown Tama to Cherry Lake Trail via 6.

-Pave the Tama Rec Trail.

All of these changes and improvements have the possibility to not only make Tama and Toledo more accessible to all ages, but also to connect the two communities together while businesses and the safety of community members benefit immensely.

*EDIT – This story has been edited to show that Ethan Standard is not part of Iowa Living Roadways, but is the Community Health Manager at Wellmark as part of the Healthy Hometown Powered by Wellmark initiative. We at the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle apologize for the mistake.