Williston Walks! is an initiative to generate public interest in walking around the Taft Corners area, to observe, listen to neighbor suggestions and document how to make sidewalks safer and more comfortable for walking.

The Town of Williston, working with Net Zero Vermont and AARP-VT and several state regional partners, has released the final report for Williston Walks! – A Community Walkability Assessment of the Finney Crossing and Blair Park neighborhoods. 

The assessment focuses on walking conditions in two neighborhoods of Taft Corners, an area that sees high levels of daily activity from residents, workers, and visitors. The goals of the project are: 1) to better understand how safe, comfortable, and accessible it is to walk in these neighborhoods by gathering public input, 2) to identify opportunities for improvement, and 3) to report the findings and recommendations to decision-makers. 

The Williston Walks! project was built around direct community input. During the summer and fall of 2025, local residents participated in workshops and a community walk audit held on September 20, 2025. Participants walked key routes, observed conditions firsthand, and shared their experiences related to safety, accessibility, and overall walkability.

Organizers emphasized that walkability plays a critical role in public health, transportation choice, and quality of life. Safer and more inviting walking environments can benefit children, older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who relies on walking as part of daily life.

The Williston Walks! initiative was supported by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, with additional partnership from AARP Vermont, the Vermont Clean Communities Coalition, and the Vermont Department of Health.

Resources: 

Williston Walks! A Community Walkability Assessment – Final Report

Walk Audit 2 Page Summary

AARP Walk Audit Toolkit