News

WalkHendo plan seeks to promote 'culture of walking'

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 22, 2023

Crosswalk improvements at four busy intersections along Four Seasons Boulevard are part of the newly adopted Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan, the city of Hendersonville announced.

The new pedestrian plan aims to transform Hendersonville into a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly community by establishing a vision that supports multimodal goals, guides developer participation and positions the city for future funding and partnership opportunities. Following
a presentation at a Dec. 7 meeting, the City Council unanimously voted to adopt the plan.

“The Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan is important because having the option to safely and efficiently walk in Hendersonville becomes more critical as our community grows,” said Hendersonville’s Strategic Projects Manager Matthew Manley. “Pedestrian improvement projects typically take many years to plan and to secure the necessary funding. Having an updated guiding document is a crucial step in making Hendersonville more walkable for all.”

In collaboration with NCDOT, Hendersonville has demonstrated its commitment to pedestrian-friendly urban planning through a series of improvements.

A new pedestrian crossing has been completed at the intersection at South Grove Street and 176. Projects with updated pedestrian signals and crossings are underway with estimated completions in spring of 2024 on Four Seasons Boulevard/U.S. 64 at Thompson Street, Orr’s Camp Road, Howard Gap Road and Fruitland Road. NCDOT has also submitted for funding for improvements to the U.S. 64-North Oak Street intersection at the YMCA and UNC Health Pardee.

The Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan Process kicked off in April 2022 and was led by the Walk Hendo Steering Committee, Traffic Planning & Design, Hendersonville City Staff and NCDOT in collaboration with residents who provided input in online surveys and public meetings. The plan includes the following goals:

• Connect People to Places: Walk Hendo prioritizes the creation of a seamless pedestrian network by linking sidewalks, greenways, and street crossings to key destinations and transit hubs. By fostering connectivity, the plan aims to facilitate easier access
  for residents and visitors.
• Build Safer Streets: Ensuring safety for pedestrians of all ages is a cornerstone of the Walk Hendo plan. The City will focus on developing comfortable connections that prioritize safety, making streets safer for everyone.
• Address Policy: To support the expansion of the pedestrian network, Walk Hendo emphasizes the importance of aligning City policies to enhance pedestrian access. The plan aims to integrate pedestrian-friendly considerations into the land development code and other City policies, ensuring that future development supports the creation of a more walkable community.
• Promote a Culture of Walking: This plan seeks to create a culture where walking is not only encouraged but celebrated. By enhancing the comfort and safety of walking in Hendersonville, these elements will play a pivotal role in creating an environment that encourages
  and enables people to choose walking as a viable mode of transportation.