A collaborative team of faculty and staff from the College of Natural Resources and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has launched a new online resource designed to help communities across North Carolina and beyond improve access to safe, walkable spaces that support physical activity and overall well-being. The Walk Audit Toolkit website provides step-by-step guidance for local leaders to assess and enhance walkability in their communities.
Developed with support from the NC State Global One Health Academy, the Walk Audit Toolkit equips cooperative extension professionals, parks and recreation professionals, local health departments, and local community leaders with practical tools to evaluate built environments and advocate for meaningful change.
The website builds on earlier work from NC State Extension and the NC Division of Public Health, expanding existing walk audit resources with actionable strategies for what to do after an audit is completed. Users can learn how to engage community stakeholders, identify barriers to physical activity, leverage findings to support policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) improvements, and find funding resources to support their change work.
Carmen Long, area family and consumer sciences agent for Allegheny and Surry Counties, experienced the power of this change work firsthand. Reflecting on a process that began with a walk audit in the western North Carolina community of Sparta in December 2023, she shared, “Because of our walk audit, improvements have been made that are helping create a safer, more inviting walkable community. Throughout the process, I’ve had the opportunity to meet new people and build meaningful partnerships with individuals, local government, and community organizations who share a commitment to walkability. These connections have strengthened our efforts and led to exciting progress, including securing grant funding to renovate a community park and begin planning our town’s first greenway—important steps toward a healthier, more connected community.”
Physical inactivity remains a major contributor to chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These challenges are especially pronounced in rural and underserved communities, where limited infrastructure—such as sidewalks, trails, and safe crossings—can restrict opportunities for active living. By improving walkability, communities can increase physical activity, reduce health disparities, and enhance overall quality of life.
The Walk Audit Toolkit emphasizes community-driven solutions and cross-sector collaboration, bringing together partners from public health, planning, transportation, parks and recreation, and beyond. It also highlights the importance of integrating natural environments—such as parks and green spaces—into walkability efforts to support both physical and mental health.
Key features of the website include:
- A step-by-step guide to planning and conducting walk audits
- Tools and templates for documenting findings
- Strategies for engaging stakeholders and building partnerships
- Guidance on translating audit results into actionable improvements
- Resources to support long-term, sustainable change in the built environment
The project reflects NC State’s commitment to the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, environmental health, and community well-being. By empowering local leaders with practical, evidence-based tools, the Walk Audit Toolkit aims to foster healthier, more resilient communities.
The development of the toolkit was informed by community engagement and collaboration with Extension professionals and local stakeholders, ensuring that the resource is adaptable to diverse community contexts and needs. Visit the site to explore the Walk Audit Toolkit and learn how to bring walkability improvements to your community.
This article was originally posted by the AHS Department.
