Tag Archive for 'Q&A'

Walking in Seattle is running a series to showcase the perspectives of prominent walkers in the city. This week’s Q&A is with Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin:

Walking in Seattle: Where is your favorite place in the city go for a walk?

Richard Conlin: I have a favorite route that leaves my house in Madrona, goes through Frink and Colman Parks, and returns along Lake Washington. I walk home from City Hall frequently as well, usually along Madison and then Union or nearby back streets.

WiS: What do you like most about walking in the city of Seattle?

Conlin: Greenness and flowers, many people out on the street.

WiS: What is the top thing you’d like to see improved for walking in the city of Seattle?

Conlin: Increased maintenance on sidewalks and stairways.

WiS: One last question – be honest, do you wait for the crosswalk signal?

Conlin: If the coast is clear for a couple of blocks, I won’t wait. Also, hate being at crossings where the crosswalk doesn’t correlate with the green light unless you were there to push the button when the signal changed.

If you’d like to nominate a local walker to be included in this Q & A series, or volunteer to participate, please use our contact form.

Walking in Seattle is running a series to showcase the perspectives of prominent walkers in the city. This week’s Q&A is with Seattle City Council Member Sally Clark:

Walking in Seattle: Where is your favorite place in the city go for a walk?

Sally Clark: Depends on whether I’m with or without Bill, my dog.

If I’m with Bill, then a walk around Seward Park or up through Myrtle Edwards is my choice. However, he really likes a walk through the UW campus, too. The best walk event is when I have an un-programmed Thursday night. Bill and I can walk from our house in Brighton (south of Seward Park) to Columbia City to meet my partner for dinner. That’s a great neighborhood walk.

If I’m without Bill, perhaps skipping out of the office for fresh air, then a walk down to Pioneer Square for lunch at the Elliott Bay Café or something from Caffe Umbria.

Walking in Seattle: What do you like most about walking in the city of Seattle?

Sally Clark: I like the variety of options. You can do architecture walks in Pioneer Square or Capitol Hill or Magnolia. You can do a “poke around Pike Place Market” walk. You can wander South Lake Union down to the new park at the lake. In all of these you’re surrounded by what we’ve built. Or, you could opt to get lost in nature at Discovery Park, in Dead Horse Canyon or at Westcrest.

Walking in Seattle: What is the top thing you’d like to see improved for walking in the city of Seattle?

Sally Clark: I don’t think is particular just to Seattle. Those of us who drive have to remember we’re not in a race. Stopping to allow someone to cross is not a sign of weakness. Most of us are not brain surgeons on our way to emergency rooms.

Walking in Seattle: One last question – be honest, do you wait for the Crosswalk light?

Sally Clark: Official answer: Yes.

If you’d like to nominate a local walker to be included in this Q & A series, please use our contact form.

Walking in Seattle is starting a new series to showcase the perspectives of prominent walkers in the city. Our first Q&A is with Sally Bagshaw, Seattle City Council Member, downtown resident, and frequent walker:

Walking in Seattle: Where is your favorite place in the city go for a walk?

Sally Bagshaw: I have walked to work every day since 2000. I walk the Waterfront, to our Parks, to our Seattle Center, and I walk around downtown every day. My office is only 8 blocks from my condo. A couple weeks ago when my office was having a pedometer-based walking challenge, I walked from downtown to the Metro Theaters in the University District so I could a) get over 15,000 steps and b) see what was going on in South Lake Union construction.

Walking in Seattle: What do you like most about walking in the city of Seattle?

Sally Bagshaw: The trees, the flowers, my neighbors, the clean air, our parks. And of course, exercise! I don’t run anymore, so aside from a round of golf, long walks are my favorite life-extending exercise.

Walking in Seattle: What is the top thing you’d like to see improved for walking in the city of Seattle?

Sally Bagshaw: My favorite question of all! I want to make the Lake to Bay Loop a reality. We are going to do this. We –to my delight– received money from the Feds to build our pedestrian/bike overpass over Elliott and the railroad tracks to connect the Waterfront to the Seattle Center. The RFPs went out this spring and I believe the contractor has been selected.

Also — working with our Parks Department and with our Parks Foundation I want to connect our Parks like Olmsted’s String of Pearls idea. I also want to create more Pedestrian Green Streets like 8th Avenue downtown where people can enjoy a long walk with widen sidewalks, trees, art, benches, pedestrian lights, good cafes along the way, and a vibrant local community. I’d like traffic to slow down a few m.p.h. to make our downtown safer. These are my goals for my Parks and Seattle Center Committee and I am really excited to be a part of this.

Walking in Seattle: One last question – be honest, do you wait for the Crosswalk light?

Sally Bagshaw: I do –most of the time — out of shame and the prospects of getting busted. But I will confess that at night when I’m walking home alone after dark I keep moving. I watch traffic carefully and I bolt across when it’s safe to do so.