Make Maine walkable again | Opinion

Waterville’s Walkability Initiative Grows Amid National Push for Pedestrian-Friendly Cities

By Maine News Now

Waterville, ME – In a quiet corner of downtown, a handful of residents have taken up the task of mapping out the city’s sidewalks, hoping to turn a patchwork of uneven paths and missing crosswalks into a network that encourages walking, not driving. The effort, led by Aaron R. Hanlon, a long‑time citizen and longtime advocate for pedestrian safety, is part of a broader movement in Maine and across the country that is putting the footstep front and center in urban planning.

A Community‑Driven Survey

Hanlon’s project, dubbed the Citizens’ Walking Survey, began last month after he noticed that many of his neighbors complained about uneven sidewalks, missing curb cuts, and a lack of safe places to cross streets. He recruited a small group of volunteers to walk around the city and document sidewalk availability, condition, and safety features. The team used a simple online form that allowed participants to upload photos, note hazards, and rate the overall walkability of each block.

“Walkability is more than just a buzzword,” Hanlon said. “It’s about people’s everyday lives—getting to the grocery store, picking up a child from baseball practice, or simply walking to the coffee shop on a rainy day.” The survey is already feeding data to city planners, who hope to prioritize repairs and improvements in the most deficient areas.

Maine’s Growing Love of Walking

Hanlon’s initiative is part of a state‑wide trend toward pedestrian-friendly development. Recent surveys by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 82% of Americans say that “being within an easy walk to shops and parks is important when deciding where to live.” The same poll revealed that 63% of respondents would pay more to live in walkable neighborhoods, while 71% admitted that places they need to go are currently too far to walk safely.

In Maine, local studies echo that sentiment. A 2013 transit report from the Greater Portland Council of Governments cited research by University of Southern Maine professor Yuseung Kim, who reported that Baby Boomers are increasingly looking for “walkable communities with good transit connections, many parks, cafes, and other businesses.” Meanwhile, surveys conducted in towns such as Falmouth, Presque Isle, Rumford, and Waterville itself show that walkability preferences span generations—from Gen Z and Millennials, who indicated that 92% and 85% respectively would pay more to live in a walkable community, to younger residents for whom pedestrian access means independent access to schools, museums, and recreation.

Travel + Leisure magazine even named Portland “the most walkable destination in the U.S.,” a title that has attracted visitors and residents alike. However, as Hanlon and other advocates point out, the benefits of walkable design go far beyond tourism.

Health, Happiness, and the Economy

Health professionals note that walking has clear benefits for physical and mental health. A 2025 Lancet study linked increased pedestrian activity to reduced rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Economists have also identified walkability as a powerful engine for local economies. A World Economic Forum article highlighted that walkable urban areas tend to generate higher tax revenue and support more robust local businesses, as residents are more likely to shop and patronize services within walking distance.

“Walkable streets bring people together,” said Hanlon. “When a neighborhood is easy to get around on foot, more folks stay, more businesses thrive, and the town’s tax base grows.”

The Roadblock: Car‑Centric Infrastructure

Despite these benefits, many Maine towns remain heavily car‑centric. Winter weather, long distances between services, and the convenience of owning a car contribute to a culture of driving. In practice, this means that sidewalks are often missing or unsafe, crosswalks are few, and the few available are poorly maintained.

Public transportation, too, presents a challenge. While buses run between major centers such as Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, and Portland, the routes typically end at park‑and‑ride facilities on the outskirts of towns. From those drop‑off points, residents still need a taxi, a rideshare, or a second bus leg to reach downtown—steps that discourage people from using public transport in the first place.

“People aren’t avoiding walking because they dislike it,” said Kim. “The infrastructure simply makes it unsafe and inconvenient.” Studies by Stanford University and other institutions corroborate that safer streets, traffic‑calming measures, and reliable public transport are key to increasing pedestrian activity.

What’s Next for Waterville?

The data gathered by Hanlon’s survey will guide city officials in making a prioritized list of sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. Mayor Dan St. Pierre announced at the town council meeting that the city will allocate $350,000 from its capital improvement fund to begin repairs on the most critical streets.

“We’re looking at a future where everyone can get around safely without a car,” St. Pierre said. “This is the first step toward a more resilient, inclusive community.”

In addition, the city is exploring partnerships with regional transit authorities to create more pedestrian‑friendly park‑and‑ride options. Pilot projects that include on‑the‑ground shuttles, upgraded sidewalks to park‑and‑ride sites, and clearer signage are under discussion.

A Call to the State

Hanlon hopes that his project will inspire similar efforts across Maine. He has reached out to municipalities in Aroostook, Penobscot, and Hancock counties, offering to share his methodology and data tools.

“If every town had a way to systematically assess its sidewalks, we could create a statewide map of walkability,” he said. “That map could inform everything from zoning decisions to tourism marketing.”

As Maine continues to grow, the need for safe, walkable streets becomes increasingly urgent. Whether the state can meet the challenge will depend on how quickly local governments can transform data into action, and how many citizens will embrace walking as a viable, everyday alternative to driving. For now, in Waterville’s streets, a handful of residents are stepping forward—quite literally—to pave the way.