WATERLOO, ON, May 12 /CNW/ -- WATERLOO, ON, May 12 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine (CFPM) has selected Vancouver, BC as the Best Walking City in Canada for 2008. The CFPM established the Best Walking City in Canada contest to bring awareness to the country's health and well being of its residents and to celebrate each city's unique characteristics.
The contest was open to the country's 100 most populous cities and required completion of an application and questionnaire. The questionnaire looked at 8 different criteria in the areas of: trail and park accessibility; comfort and safety; and interesting and attractive scenery.
The City of Vancouver achieved high marks in the areas of:
- percentage of people who walk to work
- number of kilometers of trails
- ideal year round temperatures
- good air quality
- many points of interest and attractive landscapes
In addition, Vancouver's commitment to making their city walking-friendly can be found in other city-wide programs. Civic initiatives such as Active Communities Vancouver and One Day provide programs that enhance and support citizens to walk to work and exercise for enjoyment. There are more than 44 "Step Out Walks" featured on the Active Communities web site. Several of these City walks include themes such as art, history, architecture and nature. The establishment of 23 neighborhoods within the City has helped to create local walkable communities. These beautiful neighborhoods have been enhanced by the City's infrastructure that emphasizes and supports walkability through: transportation corridors, land acquisition and establishing Neighbourhood Greenways.
The First Runner Up is Fredericton, NB. The City of Fredericton scored high in the areas of good air quality, many points of interest and attractive landscapes and a very low personal crime rate.
The Second Runner Up is Nanaimo, BC. Nanaimo has lots of hiking trails and parks, moderate year round temperatures and good air quality.
The members of the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine (CFPM) are concerned about Canadians walking comfortably. Healthy feet are important to perform Canada's favourite exercise, walking. Therefore, the CFPM would like to recognize the cities that have walker-friendly environments and encourage their residents to participate in walking as an inexpensive and enjoyable form of exercise. Walking can be done anywhere and anytime. It can be for enjoyment, exercise and transportation. Studies have shown people who walk have fewer incidences of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity. The foot-friendly exercise can even help people live longer and improve their over all well-being.
Join us as we celebrate Vancouver as the Best Walking City in Canada on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 2:00 pm at the Italian Gardens in Hastings Park, Vancouver, BC.
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% of No.
People poor
Walking Area who air
trail of walk to Average quality
distance Parks work temperature days
Vancouver, BC 9.33 8.67 8.67 10 10
Fredericton, NB 7.33 7.33 5.33 4.67 10
Nanaimo, BC 10 8 4 9.33 10
Brantford, ON 8 6.67 2 8.67 4
Peterborough, ON 8.67 4.67 6 5.33 4.67
Regina, SK 5.33 9.33 9.33 2 10
Brandon, MB 6.67 5.33 4.67 1.33 10
Rimouski, QC 2.67 10 7.33 4 3.33
Greater
Sudbury, ON 2 2 10 2.67 6
Kingston, ON 1.33 1.33 8 8.67 0.67
Truro, NS 6 4 6.67 6 5.33
Hamilton, ON 3.33 2.67 2.67 7.33 1.33
Prince George, BC 4.67 3.33 3.33 3.33 2.67
Oshawa, ON 4 6 1.33 6.67 2
Timmins, ON 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 10
No.
of
points No. No. Overall
of personal pedestrian summary
interest crimes accidents presentation Total
Vancouver, BC 9.33 5.33 0.67 10 72
Fredericton, NB 8 10 6.67 10 69.33
Nanaimo, BC 7.33 2.67 5.33 7.33 63.99
Brantford, ON 5.33 4 8.67 10 57.34
Peterborough, ON 8.67 8 4 6 56.01
Regina, SK 10 3.33 2 4.67 55.99
Brandon, MB 4 6 6 10 54
Rimouski, QC 3.33 9.33 7.33 6 53.32
Greater
Sudbury, ON 1.33 7.33 9.33 4.67 45.33
Kingston, ON 2 8.67 8 4.67 43.34
Truro, NS 6.67 1.33 1.33 4.67 42
Hamilton, ON 4.67 7.33 4.67 4.67 38.67
Prince George, BC 2.67 2 2.67 7.33 32
Oshawa, ON 6 0.67 3.33 1.33 31.33
Timmins, ON 0.67 4.67 10 1.33 29.35
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