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City of Madison

Traffic Engineering - Yang Tao, Interim City Traffic Engineer & Parking Utility Manager

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Walk-tober 2022 – Celebrate Walking in Madison

October is a great month for walking.   The temperature is cooler and the fall colors are changing throughout the month.  Walk to work, walk to the store, walk to pick up food, walk before school or just walk for fun. Walk-tober 2022 features walking routes each week to encourage you to get out and enjoy the season.  We also have a Walk-tober Challenge to encourage you to keep walking all month, with fun prizes for everyone who completes it.

We also have a Walk-tober Challenge (PDF) to encourage you to keep walking all month and have fun prizes for everyone who completes it.

Activities

Get inspired leading up to October 1 by looking at the Madison Public Library’s Walk-tober Reading List, which has book ideas for children and adults. Look for new books added to this list throughout the month and enjoy a book about walking when you prefer to stay inside (or for reading on a nice day under a tree).

From October 2-8 get out and explore your own neighborhood. Try a different route than you normally walk and get a new perspective on where you live or stick to your favorite and reflect on what you enjoy about your neighborhood. Walk Ideas (PDF)

  • Join the Marquette Neighborhood Association at the Orton Park Bookwalk on Sat, Oct 8. The boookwalk features local author Kevin Henkes "In the Middle of Fall" and will be up all day for your enjoyment.

From October 9-15 get out and do nature walks and join in National Walk to a Park Day on October 10! What park will you be visiting? #walktoaparkday Check out one of the many Madison Parks hiking trails or just walk looking for different birds, trees, flowers still in bloom or take in the view from one of our lakes or streams. Walk Ideas (PDF).

From October 16-22 find out more about Madison’s history on your walks. Check out Madison's Preservation Plan for Cultural Walking Tours in historic districts, including Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County

From October 23-31 check out some of Madison’s great public art by foot. Look for electric box art, murals, and sculptures. You may also see art in people’s yards or in businesses if you look closely.  Walk Ideas Coming Soon

If you see things that could make walking easier and safer, find out more about the City of Madison Traffic Engineering Neighborhood Programs and how you can be a part of improving your neighborhood. 

ALL MONTH

Traffic Engineering Photo Contest

  • Traffic Engineering would like to post YOUR photos reflecting each week’s theme (see above) on Facebook and Twitter, and choose a winner each week! The public will vote for a grand prize winner at the end of October. Submit photos via email to Colleen Hayes, the City's Pedestrian Bicycle Outreach Specialist, with your name, title of the photo, and the location photo was taken.
  • You can also share your walking photos and activities on your social media accounts with the hashtags #walktobermadison and #walkbikemadison and tag us on Facebook (@CityofMadisonTrafficandParking).

Walk or Wheel Challenge 

  • The Walk or Wheel (WOW) Challenge is a fun and educational way for students at any Dane County school to get walking and rolling in the month of October. Contact Caitlin from Wisconsin Bike Fed or visit Walk Bike & Roll to School  for Safe Routes to School resources and support. 

StoryWalks

  • Don't miss the fire-themed StoryWalk happening Downtown on State Street. The StoryWalk kicks off on Sun, Oct 9 along with the annual Fire Truck Parade. The parade starts at 1pm on State Street and ends on the Capitol Square. There will be a scavenger hunt of fire safety items in downtown businesses. The downtown StoryWalk will be up for the entire month of October.
  • Dane County is hosting a StoryWalk along the trails at the Lussier Family Heritage Center just outside Madison along the Capital City Trail. Walk the trail and the pages of the featured book will unfold as you go. October features Count Down to Fall by Frank Hawk.