Examples of Other Venues Hosting Similar Programs to Mall Walking



Entrance to Xfinity Arena at Everett

Examples of Other Venues Hosting Similar Programs to Mall Walking

Not every community or neighborhood has a mall. Rural areas, including communities on Native American lands, may need to rely on venues other than malls, such as a single multipurpose store selling a variety of goods, a community cultural center or senior center, or faith-based or school venues to establish a walking program. There is also the possibility of walking at facilities with both indoor and outdoor routes to add variety to the walking routines. Indoor and outdoor walking routes may be an attractive option for rural areas. An indoor walking route can potentially be anchored in a community center program with outdoor walking path(s) as additional options. In pilot work done by the developers of this Guide, several walking programs in venues other than malls were evaluated, including programs in a zoo, botanical garden, and skating rink. Two of these programs are described below. Although external characteristics, such as weather and darkness, may affect walkability at outdoor venues, these venues provide walkers with different scenery and variety specific to the venues. In many cities, there are public venues other than malls that either currently offer or have the potential to offer walking programs.


Not every community or neighborhood has a mall. Rural areas, including communities on Native American lands, may need to rely on venues other than malls, such as a single multipurpose store selling a variety of goods, a community cultural center or senior center, or faith-based or school venues to establish a walking program.



Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington
An enjoyable walking program in a very walkable environment.

Site Description

A public zoo with a walking club is available to seniors (55 years or older) for walking Tuesday and Thursday from 9:15 am to 11:30 am. Walking times are during daylight hours year-round. The walking route is entirely outdoors. Few other people are in the zoo during walking program hours, even though it is open to the general public during this time.

Environmental Features

    Outside
  • A well-lit parking lot, good visibility for pedestrians, and motorists with adequate spaces.
  • Accessible parking spaces for individuals with mobility limitations or aids at entrance.
  • Dedicated walkways from parking lot to entrance closest to the walking program or route.
  • Marked walkways and crosswalks.
  • Lighting along walkways.
  • Traffic control on either side of crosswalk.
  • Ramps, curb cuts, or mountable curbs in front of entrance.
  • Aesthetically pleasant features: trees that offer shade and animal statues.
  • Bicycle racks.
  • Benches and street furniture.
  • Directional signs to key landmarks.
    Inside
  • Pleasant aesthetics, including artwork, plants, water features, interesting architectural features, and zoo animals.
  • Drinking fountains, benches, and rest places.
  • Restrooms along well-lit, clearly marked and maintained route.
  • Cafes open during walking hours with senior discounts.

Programmatic Features

  • Program leader.
  • Quarterly socials that include a speaker on health care and another on zoologic topics.
  • Warm-ups and stretching guided by program leader.
  • Independent walking after 15-minute group warm-up.
  • Other exercise stations available.
  • Hand-held maps for walkers and apps available for smart phones that provide virtual tours.
  • Discounted coffee for walkers.
  • $15 for 3-month walking club membership that allows access to the zoo.
  • Parking passes included with the walking club membership.



Senior Zoo Walkers stretching.


Four Senior Zoo Walkers.


Zoo Bear.


Senior Zoo Walkers.



XFINITY Community Ice Rink, XFINITY Arena at Everett, Everett, Washington
An innovative walking program that serves older adults and students with disabilities.

Site Description

The facility is open 5 days a week for walking: Monday through Thursday from 12-4pm and Fridays from 10:00am – 2:00pm. There is no walk-on when there is an event on the Main Arena or on holidays. The entrance to the concourse is through the Main Arena doors.

Environmental Features

  • Bus stop within 490 feet of walking program entrance.
  • 90-minute street parking in area surrounding the facility.
  • Adequate parking near closest entrance.
  • Handrails on steps and ramps.
  • Bicycle racks.
  • Sports memorabilia surround walking track.
  • Watch hockey practice on overlapping days.
  • Information kiosk and board with map.
  • Drinking fountains.
  • Clearly marked bathrooms.

Programmatic Features

  • Program leader.
  • Sign-in sheet.
  • A scavenger hunt conducted by program leader.
  • Voluntary stations for alternative exercises set by program leader.
  • Open to a local program for kids and young adults with special learning needs as part of their physical education credits and transitional training into the community.



Entrance to Xfinity Arena at Everett


Laminated signs of exercises.


Xfinity Arena at Everett


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