City of Hanford leaders hope the community will join an important conversation about increasing forms of “active transportation,” to improve the City’s quality of life through a series of upcoming community engagement events in downtown Hanford next week.
In partnership with Alta Planning + Design, Inc., the City is developing an Active Transportation Plan (ATP), to guide strategy and investments for improving the community’s options for walking, bicycling, accessing public transit, and using other non-automobile modes. Funding for the City of Hanford’s ATP comes from the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program.
Next Tuesday, September 19, Hanford Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert and representatives from Alta will present Hanford City Council Members with a preview of the ATP, including the scope of work, timeline, and details on the community outreach events, which will begin on Wednesday, September 20.
“There are so many ways we can become a more active community,” Albert said. “But the reason why community member input is so valuable for this plan is that everyone brings a unique perspective because of where they live and how they get around town.”
The full schedule of community engagement events is as follows:
Wednesday, 9/20
Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Walk Assessment*
September 20, 2023, 10 a.m. - noon
Starts at Civic Auditorium (400 N. Douty Street)
*More details about walk route to be released early next week
Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Community Open House #1
September 20, 2023, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Civic Auditorium (400 N. Douty Street)
Thursday, 9/21
Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Community Open House #2
September 21, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Civic Auditorium (400 N. Douty Street)
Active Transportation Plan (ATP) Pop-Up Event
September 21, 2023, 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday Night Market Place at Civic Park (400 N. Douty Street)
At the community engagement events, attendees will be asked to complete a short survey to let the project team know how, when, and where they need to travel, and what the current challenges are to walking and biking in Hanford. The survey will also be available on the project webpage.
Additionally, community members can use an interactive webmap to share their thoughts and identify walking and biking destinations in Hanford.
When completed in late 2024, the final ATP will include citywide network recommendations for infrastructure improvements, while also highlighting policies and programs that can support active and sustainable mobility. In particular, the ATP will focus on improving safety, access, and quality of life for Hanford’s traditionally disadvantaged communities.
Visit the project webpage for more information and updates about the City’s ATP.