Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ recognizes that in order for people to feel safe and interested in walking, together we must create walkable communities. A walkable community is one that is designed with the pedestrian in mind. It includes strategies such as good transit, well-maintained parks and access to sidewalks, trails and destinations to walk (e.g., grocery store). Find out more about making your community more walkable. The Walkabout Awards are a celebration of people and organizations that are making communities and other environments more walkable in Nova Scotia. Through their actions, they are contributing to a culture of walking in Nova Scotia.

First introduced in 2011, the Walkabout Awards aim to acknowledge leaders who have made an effort to improve the walkability of environments where they live or work. In 2015, we introduced three nomination categories for the Awards:

Community Champion 

This is an individual, community group, public organization (e.g. school) or non-profit organization that has contributed, in some admirable way, to making a neighbourhood, facility, space or geographic community more walkable.

Mi’kmaq First Nation, Town, Village or Municipality 

This is a settlement or administrative division that has contributed, in some admirable way, to making its jurisdiction more walkable.

Private Sector

This is a business development association, chamber of commerce, entrepreneur, small business or corporation that has contributed, in some admirable way, to making a community, workplace, or business site more walkable.

Heart& Stroke Walkabout™ Award 2015

Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ is a comprehensive approach to encourage Nova Scotians to walk more. The initiative recognizes that in order for people to feel safe and interested in walking, we must create supportive communities. We want to acknowledge those who have taken steps to improve the walkability of their communities.

The Licenced Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia and Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ are partnering on this initiative to advance our shared belief that walkable environments are important in the lives of Nova Scotians. Working as a team, we can promote the importance of walkability and further this work across the province.

What is a walkable environment?

 Walking isn’t just a great form of physical activity, it is the way we best experience communities in Nova Scotia. In a walkable community, we see people of all ages and abilities getting to school, work and activities on foot. We see friends, colleagues and families out for a stroll enjoying fresh air. We may be able to walk to get our groceries and do other errands. Sidewalks and trails connect residents and visitors to multiple destinations. Signage and lighting help people move about more confidently. Benches help create a social atmosphere and give walkers a place to rest. Aesthetics like lighting, shrubs, flowers and litter collection help make the walking experience pleasurable. Beautiful buildings and welcoming storefronts also help people feel more at ease. Crossing the street, we feel safe and respected by people driving vehicles. The community feels vibrant and connected.

Three successful applicants will receive the Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ Award and will be recognized with a plaque, photograph and media release.

• Deadline for Application: 4:00pm on Saturday, August 15, 2015 Extended to Friday, September 4, 2015

To download application click here

Nominations

1. Mi’kmaq First Nation, Town, Village or Municipality
   • Settlement or administrative division
2. Community Champion
   • Individual, community group, public organization (i.e. school), non-profit organization workplace or public institution
3. Private Sector
   • Business development association, chamber of commerce, entrepreneur, small business or corporation
• No project is too small or too large to be nominated
• Nominations can be submitted by individuals who are not associated with the nominated project
• Self-nominations can be submitted

Nominations will be reviewed and assessed by a committee of representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Licenced Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia, Ecology Action Centre and Department of Health and Wellness.

Award recipients will be announced in early Fall 2015 and will be publicly recognized at an event(s) and through media, social media and websites.

As a thank you for submitting a nomination, you will be entered into a draw to win a Walkabout prize package valued at $50.

More Information For more information on making your community more walkable, please see the Creating Walkable Communities section of our website. Please email [email protected] with questions.

 

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Walkability Awards Presented in 2013:

The Brooklyn Civic Centre provides opportunities for people in Brooklyn, Hants County, to enjoy safe, year-round walking at no charge.  They also have created walking trails which give individuals a safe outdoor walking option as well.

 

The Yarmouth Trails Association received an award for their efforts to promote walkability in their community by providing many kilometers of trails for people to use on their walks.

 

Walkability Awards Presented 2011:

Inverness Education Academy/Centre opened their school for community members to use in the winter to walk. Through collaboration and recognizing the importance of walking, many schools in the areas are now opening their doors to allow senior citizens to walk more often and promote walking as a very cost-effective way to exercise.

 

The Town of New Glasgow invested in the George Street Bridge, a pedestrian crosswalk that allows walkers to avoid traffic while maintaining access to the town’s destinations.