Stairway Walks Day in Lakewood/Seward Park

On this gorgeous, crisp Saturday morning, Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors led 18 different stairway walks, from Seattle to Burien to Bellevue. It was all part of Feet First's 2nd Annual Stairway Walks Day, with approximately 450 walkers pulling on jackets, hats and gloves to go out and enjoy - and highlight - our historic stairway network.

Cathy and I happily led a group of 21 walkers along the Lakewood-Seward Park route, detailed in Chapter 22. It was a great crowd and a great day. The only glitch we found was on the Ferdinand stairs, where one six-foot stretch of landing was coated with a thick layer of ice - and everyone navigated it with aplomb. As I type this evening in West Seattle, a fine curtain of snow sifts down...I guess we lucked out today!

2013 Stairway Walks Day Recognized

On February 9th this year we teamed up with Feet First, the statewide walking advocacy group, for our first annual Stairway Walks Day. On that day Feet First volunteers led 300 people on 15 stairway walks across the metro area, all of them routes from the book.  

We've just learned that Stairway Walks Day has been nominated for a 2013 Sustainability Leadership Award from Sustainable Seattle, whose website says "...Started in 2001, these awards are designed to recognize those helping make the Puget Sound region a more sustainable and livable place." The event has been nominated in the "Transforming Spaces" category, with final winners to be announced January 31st at the Museum of History and Industry.

We're excited! Stairway Walks Day helped put a spotlight on how important our region's stairway legacy is - for connecting, exercising and just generally getting out to explore our neighborhoods. Next year's event, again with Feet First backing, will take place on February 8th.