Q & A with Feet First Executive Director Lisa Quinn

Walking in Seattle is running a series to showcase the perspectives of prominent walkers in the city. This week’s Q&A is with Lisa Quinn, Executive Director of the pedestrian advocacy organization Feet First:

Walking in Seattle: Can you summarize what your organization does for pedestrians?

Lisa Quinn: Feet First is the only non-profit, pedestrian advocacy organization promoting walkable communities throughout Washington State. We help people take steps to create better places to live, learn, shop, work, and play – a world that cares about health, community and design. We develop Safe Routes to School programs, create Neighborhood on Foot walking maps, conduct walking audits, develop a statewide pedestrian safety curriculum, coordinate walking ambassadors, support active transportation policies, both locally and in Olympia.

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

Lisa Quinn: I live in Ballard, and I love walking around my neighborhood. I frequent the farmers’ market on Sundays and make my way to the Locks and Golden Gardens.

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

Lisa Quinn: Growing up in the ‘Inland Empire’ outside of Los Angeles, living here is like living in a postcard. And even after 12 year of living in the PNW, I still appreciate the natural beauty–especially on sunny days! I like lots of things about walking in Seattle. Surrounded with water, mountains and a beautiful city skyline Seattle gives a warm invitation to get out an explore places by foot.

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

Lisa Quinn: I would like the city’s budget to support its goal to be the most walkable city in the nation. While I am fortunate to walk safely and comfortably to the store, bus, library and to a friend’s house, there are a lot of people in Seattle who do not have the same ability. This is a huge equity issue. Putting people first should be a priority when developing new capital improvements. Until we see a serious shift in how city department budgets are approved, we might be shooting ourselves in the foot, as these projects can have the tendency to undermine pedestrian improvements.

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

Lisa Quinn: I do wait for crosswalk signal….I guess that makes me a true Seattlelite.