Walk There! Decatur

Gold WFC

The City of Decatur, with its tree lined streets and more than 60 miles of sidewalks in 4.5 square miles, is a prime location for walking. Historic homes, a range of fine dining and shopping, and a conveniently small size help to create an inherently pedestrian-friendly city. Residential neighborhoods are low traffic with neighborhood schools and numerous parks. The downtown core has green-space and expansive sidewalks with a growing amount of retail built for strolling and window-shopping.

WalkScore.com rates the City of Decatur as the most walkable city in Georgia with the highest walk score! The three-year-old organization has rated more than 3,000 cities and neighborhoods nationwide, including 65 cities, based on the distance of amenities block-for-block. Click on the link at the bottom of this page to find the walkscore for your address.

The City of Decatur has earned the designation of a GOLD Level Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Read about Decatur's accomplishments here.

 

Wednesday Walks 

10 am, changes to 9 am in May
Meet at Decatur Recreation Center

Join Decatur Parks & Recreation every Wednesday for a 2-3 mile walk through historic Decatur neighborhoods. We scout out neighborhoods and streets that are safe for everyone.

We mix up the locations and routes to keep it interesting. Have you ever been to that park across town? Come with us…We will give you a reason to visit.

 

Pick up a Walking Map!

We have a newly designed walking map with six routes around Decatur. Maps are available at the Decatur and Ebster Recreation Centers and the Decatur Visitor's Center. You can also download one here. Enjoy your walk in Decatur!

 

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Be Safe and Be Seen:  Make yourself visible to drivers

  • Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.
  • Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
  • Cross the street in a well-lit area at night.
  • Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles so drivers can see you.
  • Click here for Bright at Night!

Be Smart and Alert:  Avoid dangerous behaviors

  • Always walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
  • Stay sober; walking while  impaired increases your chance of being struck.
  • Don't assume vehicles will stop. Make contact with drivers, don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, he or she may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
  • Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals. Look before you cross the road.
  • Be alert to engine noise or back up lights on cars when in parking lots and near other on-street parking spaces.
  • If you must wear headphones, leave one ear open so you can be aware of your surroundings.

Be Careful at Crossings: Look before you step

  • Cross streets at marked crosswalk or intersections, if possible.
  • Obey traffic signals such as walk/don't walk signs.
  • Look left, right, and left again before crossing a street.
  • Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
  • Look across ALL lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Even if one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
  • Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Walking Map
Walk There! Map