Conn. ASLA Chapter Focuses on Safe Walking and Biking Routes for Landscape Architecture Month

Roderick Cameron, president of the Connecticut ASLA chapter.

Forty-eight state ASLA chapters are working to bring attention to communities this April about the connection between design and physical activity as part of the ?EUR??,,????'??Design for Active Living?EUR??,,????'?? theme for National Landscape Architecture Month.

The Connecticut ASLA chapter are working with students and civic groups to assess safe walking and biking routes between schools and neighborhoods, using checklists designed by the National Center for Bicycling & Walking (download at www.ctasla.org). These ?EUR??,,????'??report cards?EUR??,,????'?? help communities look at design elements that encourage people to be more physically active.

?EUR??,,????'??Years ago, we all used to walk to school, to the store, to the park, or to a friend's house, but now we often are unable to walk or bike anywhere safely, because our communities are designed mainly for car travel,?EUR??,,????'?? notes Roderick Cameron, president of the Connecticut ASLA chapter. "The change from a pedestrian to a commuter lifestyle has fueled an epidemic of obesity in the U.S., particularly among children. We want to encourage everyone to look at their communities during April and become advocates for an environment that is more exercise-friendly. As landscape architects, we can design activity back into our communities."

The Connecticut chapter is also commemorating National Landscape Architecture Month with a program at the Legislative Office Building on April 27 honoring the Connecticut landscape legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted.