Where you live can impact how physically active you are. The design of your community can make it easier to walk or bike to the store, to a restaurant or to work. Communities that have sidewalks, trails, bike lanes and street lighting make walking and cycling safer and more enjoyable.
Active Communities:
- Have trails, parks and sidewalks that link to stores, restaurants and community places which will make walking and cycling an easy choice
- Provide access to public transit near people's homes
- Are well lit and safe
- Have many people out on the streets walking and cycling
How "Walkable" is Your Community?
Get a Walkscore rating for your home address – this tool looks at what is around your home that is within walking distance and explains how "walkable" your community is.
Do a "Walkability" Audit
Another way to examine the walkability of your community is to get out there and perform a walkability audit or checklist. There are a variety of these tools available. One such tool is The Heart and Stroke Foundation's 'Neighbourhood active, healthy design checklist'.
Key resources
Shaping Healthy Active Communities Toolkit
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care – Active Living
Health Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
ParticipACTION
Municipality links:
Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville
More resources….. 
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