FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
WalkCLT Returns to FreeMoreWest with Twilight Event
Wayfinding Signs Encourage Residents to Get Outside and Walk 

Charlotte, NC (May 17, 2017) – Sustain Charlotte and OrthoCarolina are bringing back the popular walking initiative, WalkCLT, which promotes walking as a form of transportation. The next neighborhood to see WalkCLT is FreeMoreWest and a twilight launch event will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017.

WalkCLT, an initiative launched in Plaza Midwood in 2015, uses wayfinding signs, on both ground and eye-level, to encourage residents of the neighborhoods surrounding FreeMoreWest to walk in the community. Signs will tell residents how many minutes it will take to walk to popular destinations (i.e. 16 minutes to coffee and donuts). Partners in this initiative include #thesavageway, Recover Brands and Roots Rated Media.

“In a country where suburban sprawl and auto-centric development often trumps pedestrian oriented neighborhoods, it is especially important to highlight the many social, economic, and environmental benefits of walkable communities and advocate for safer, more adequate pedestrian infrastructure,” said Shannon Binns, Founder & Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte.

On Friday, June 2 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., there will be a twilight event to kick-off this WalkCLT initiative. Participants are encouraged to walk, bike or carpool from their residence to Recover Brands (1518 Bryant St.). Here, Sustain Charlotte will have a check-in table where participants can log miles walked and receive a wristband that qualifies for several discounts at surrounding restaurants and shops (see the #WalkCLT 2017! Facebook event page for all discounts offered). Participants can then explore the neighborhood; walk to nearby businesses or down the Stewart Creek Greenway toward Blue Blaze Brewing.

“Walkable communities are important,” said Blair Primis, Vice-President of Marketing at OrthoCarolina. “With WalkCLT, we’re highlighting the walkability of Charlotte and supporting local neighborhoods at the same time. It is a smart and fun way to explore and learn about our great city.”

By raising awareness for how easy it is to walk our neighborhoods, this event is encouraging physical activity, promoting the reduction of harmful emissions by vehicles and building a vibrant community. 

“OrthoCarolina is dedicated to being an active participant in our community and WalkCLT is the ideal event for us to support,” added Primis. “It’s encouraging an active lifestyle while showcasing the local businesses in a great Charlotte neighborhood.”

Participants are encouraged to use #WalkCLT on social media posts to help spread the word that Charlotte is a walkable city.

The event on June 2 is free, family-friendly and open to the public. For more information, visit walkclt.com or engage with Sustain Charlotte on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @Sustain_CLT and #WalkCLT. 

About OrthoCarolina
With expert physicians and care providers in locations throughout our region, OrthoCarolina is one of the nation’s leading orthopedic practices and your destination for comprehensive orthopedic care. Our expertise in the areas of foot and ankle, hand, hip and knee, shoulder and elbow, spine, sports medicine and pediatrics to offer a continuum of care unmatched in our region — and throughout the country.

OrthoCarolina. You. Improved. 

Connect with OrthoCarolina at orthocarolina.com or on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Sustain Charlotte

Sustain Charlotte is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, engaging and uniting citizens to solve Charlotte’s sustainability challenges. We inspire choices that lead to a healthy, equitable and vibrant community for generations to come. Visit www.sustaincharlotte.org for more.

CONTACT

Shannon Binns | Sustain Charlotte | [email protected] |  704.338.2610

Logan Stewart | OrthoCarolina | [email protected]  |  704.619.1190

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