[NFBSea] FW: Tell the City: Public space programs should be equitable, accessible

Tue Feb 9 08:47:12 UTC 2021

Passing on for your information.

Tell the City: Public space programs should be equitable, accessible

<http://seattlegreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/SNG-horizontal-logo-for-Summ
er-Parkways.png> 

Support a Stay Healthy Blocks program that works for people!

Seattle's Stay Healthy Blocks
<https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/permits-and-services/permits/stay-he
althy-blocks#:~:text=The%20Stay%20Healthy%20Block%20permit%20allows%20people
%20to%20use%20the,not%20authorize%20events%20or%20gatherings.>  is a DIY
open space program that allows people to walk, roll, and play in calm
neighborhood streets while remaining socially distanced. While enjoyed by
many, the program is currently inequitable and extremely burdensome. Stay
Healthy Block permit holders from across the city came together to write a
letter
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zq1Qh3CUr7ywBE278OK2vlLK3Rt2UGlh/view?usp=
sharing>  asking the city to improve the program.

Click here to send an email in support
<https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/aNp8PYhbxHjFnl5KiejK6A?t=16128150
75>  of an equitable and accessible program that provides open space for
people.

<https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/aNp8PYhbxHjFnl5KiejK6A?t=16128150
75> 

<https://seattlegreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/KidsOnScooters_WallingfordS
HS_20201015.jpg> 

When Seattle rolled out the first Stay Healthy Streets in mid April
<https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/04/16/announcing-stay-healthy-streets/> ,
neighbors all over the city reached out, asking how to make a Stay Healthy
Street <https://stayhealthystreets.org/faq/>  in their neighborhood. The
decrease in traffic was increasing speeding and other unsafe driver
behaviors, and people wanted outdoor space to recreate outside of their
homes and to get to essential jobs and services. But the City initially
focused the program only on existing neighborhood greenways
<https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/green
ways-program> , a network of residential streets that already prioritizes
people walking and biking and discourages vehicle traffic.

Last fall, SDOT launched the Stay Healthy Blocks program
<https://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2020/09/21/the-mayor-just-announced-free-stay-
healthy-block-permits-adding-to-the-recent-success-of-stay-healthy-and-keep-
moving-streets/> , in which neighbors could create their own space to walk,
roll, and play in the street. We were thrilled, and heard positive feedback
from people across the city. Normally reserved Seattleites texted the
contact numbers listed on signs, saying, "I can't say how much this has
improved my life." 

  <https://seattlegreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/> 

Despite the positive reception, the City imposed restrictive rules on the
second permit cycle that drastically reduced the effectiveness of the
program and ensured that only those privileged with time and money can
participate. 

*	Limited hours cause confusion for drivers and extra labor for permit
holders.
*	Sign requirements are costly.
*	Storage requirements make the program inaccessible for those living
in apartments or in Seattle's densest neighborhoods most in need of public
open space.
*	Groups that forget to move signs daily have had to risk citations
and fines.

These changes turned an extremely promising program into an unworkable one
that only a few can enjoy.

<https://seattlegreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/KidWithSoccerBall_Wallingfo
rdSHS_20201015.jpg> 

We call on the city to improve the program so that every neighborhood can
enjoy the benefits of streets that prioritize people:

1.	Allow the Stay Healthy Blocks to be in place 24/7, mitigating the
need to move and store barriers.
2.	Restore all Stay Healthy Blocks applications that have not been
renewed.
3.	Provide the necessary equipment to permit holders to close the
blocks.
4.	Work with the residents who want to make their Stay Healthy Blocks
permanent.
5.	Assist residents to start Stay Healthy Blocks, especially in areas
without adequate open space.

By making these changes SDOT will allow the Stay Healthy Blocks program to
flourish and grow into a program that provides safe and healthy space for
people on all of our city streets.

We need a program that provides public open space where it's most needed,
not just where homeowners can afford it.

<https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/aNp8PYhbxHjFnl5KiejK6A?t=16128150
75> Click here tell the City to support a Stay Healthy Blocks program that
works for people! 

<https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/aNp8PYhbxHjFnl5KiejK6A?t=16128150
75>  Thank you for your continued advocacy!

  <https://seattlegreenways.org/wp-content/uploads/clara.jpg> Clara Cantor
She/her

Community Organizer
Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
Website
<http://email.mg2.littlegreenlight.net/c/eJxdjk1qxDAMRk9jL40s_8hdeNEwzDWC63g
cFycpicswtx9nSrsoCCQ-pKc3eSfjG_HiEaQDKw2CMgBCiqskjfoiNWkY7ABMw5JR1NJaTXlPaa0
lz02sqfGa67iEUsuaxzIxMzBz8WdDRCKrsA894tXPrX0x9c7w2utI4Q92D49DbHvuMd_953bM8V5
qLWE5-ud80kXcFt58iHH7XtsoJSris_-YLDllIVl9c2SUdiRNgim4c-GmXna_R__sXowfuSfDkk5
L>  - Twitter
<http://email.mg2.littlegreenlight.net/c/eJxdjs1uhCAQgJ8GjmQYQPTAoWazvfXSBzC
ILNKM2iiN6dsXt-mlySTzk5lvvsm1MnSWZ4cgW2ikQVAGQEhxl1ajvkltNfRND0zDklBQLoVi2mN
cKae5iDUWTomGxWfKaxryxEzPzM1dCRGtbRTWoo44ubmUT6ZeGN5rlLPC4i7CttTu_e31op7---C
7-9iOOZyZKPvlqL_Txb82eXE-hO1rLYOUqCyfnYfuMVrAB3glO0DvJzRtN41hRB8Qn35_R__8nox
fvR-Jf0_X>  - Facebook
<http://email.mg2.littlegreenlight.net/c/eJxdj01uwyAQhU8DS8TwGy9YxEqTA_QAFia
AabGpYiLU2xen6qbSSDN6mnnvm7s5gRs0ToZROFEFklEuKSVArqAFExcQWtBRjRQJukZGcqo1-_j
wfsspLpVsvuIc87TalNMWp3RHckTyYo7GGNNacdaHLuFsllq_dsTPiF17tdZIsM7PpXwSV9Yuvb-
db4d5s987fpiPsi-upZyTXfeOEI-YYxVXY50rz61OAIxrvJhZdy-rQwDJ-y9KwUBhCLNXQQOAfWH
-Hf3DfHn8Uv4A3EhR-g> 

please email  Clara at SeattleGreenways.org <mailto:Clara at SeattleGreenways.org>

<http://email.mg.seattlegreenways.org/o/eJxdjcEOgjAQRL-GHpvdwhZ76EFQfoMUKLUK
NIES499bNF7cy-xMMvMGrSCXSMxrAQJBQPJIRc6RN7KW9bWRTUXynDdVVsDs-GZNjJN1q7XL07w2
HlbHJje1s_GTX1zrh4yqjC76ECFQpRMifSljq76bPnRbXHf_2GaTNt1R5H2YWdSm78O-xBZR5CW7
acCyBOxG6mxhLcAoUcGJFJVSGlLd> 

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