S.A.F.E. Sidewalk Audit - Second Ward

(Safety and Accessibility for Equitable Sidewalks)

A photo of a street in Second Ward with no sidewalks but yet having a yellow street sign reminding people driving to watch for people biking or walking.

A City-wide Problem

North Super St. in Second Ward. The portion of the block has sidewalks on each side of the street. Photo Credit: Google
North Super St. in Second Ward. The portion of the block has sidewalks on each side of the street. Photo Credit: Google

North Super St. in Second Ward. The portion of the block has sidewalks on each side of the street. Photo Credit: Google

Well-designed and well-implemented infrastructure connects people to jobs, schools, and services. Safe and accessible sidewalks promote public health and environmentalism. Unfortunately, in Houston, it is often people who walk, use a wheelchair, or bike who are the most vulnerable because of non-existent, poor quality, or even dangerous infrastructure. Thousands of miles of streets lack adequate sidewalks, creating dangerous, inaccessible, and inequitable pathways for pedestrians. While several entities (e.g., the City of Houston, Harris County, METRO, management districts) play a role in developing and maintaining sidewalk infrastructure, their jurisdiction is limited, and current city ordinances put the onus on individual property owners to build and maintain sidewalks adjacent to their properties.

The sidewalk on this portion of a street in Second Ward is uneven and has cracks leading up to a sidewalk patch in great condition. It is generally inaccessible.
The sidewalk on this portion of a street in Second Ward is uneven and has cracks leading up to a sidewalk patch in great condition. It is generally inaccessible.

The sidewalk on this portion of a street in Second Ward is uneven and has cracks leading up to a sidewalk patch in great condition. It is generally inaccessible.

  • Sidewalks in Houston too often do not exist or are in poor condition.
  • Houston has no master sidewalk plan or audit.
  • People walk in a variety of unsafe conditions - with potentially dire consequences.
  • Funds to improve the pedestrian safety and access are inadequate.
  • Local ordinances and policies are confusing and complicated.

Taking Action in Second Ward

LINK Houston recently piloted S.A.F.E. Sidewalks (Safety and Accessibility for Equitable Sidewalks) in Houston's Second Ward to help raise awareness of the importance of safe and accessible infrastructure. The Second Ward community is in a high-demand area for equitable improvements to affordable transportation for people walking, rolling, biking, and riding transit (based on our 2018/2020/2021 Equity in Transit reports). Additionally, the area offers some naturally occurring affordable housing, both to own and to rent, with proximity to public transit. METRO provides transit services in the community, including its Green Line light rail and local bus service. While the majority of trips, particularly transit trips, begin and end with a walk or a roll, the community currently consists of relatively narrow streets and patchy sidewalks, providing unsafe and inaccessible pedestrian conditions. While the East End District, TIRZ 6 Eastside, the City of Houston, Harris County, and METRO provide sidewalk improvements in the area, gaps exist, and residents need improvements.

What, who, when, and where

LINK Houston organized community volunteers to audit sidewalks in a portion of Second Ward. The focus area general boundaries included Harrisburg on the south, Drennan on the west, Crites / Ira on the north, and Lockwood on the east. We provided a brief training, answered questions, and then divided into pairs and small groups to take notes while collectively walking all sides of nearly 70 city blocks. Volunteers were provided a map and survey forms for each assigned city block in both English and Spanish. LINK Houston collected all materials afterward and prepared a summary dataset. The purpose of the audit was to ascertain where sidewalks do and do not exist, plus assess the sidewalk's general condition. We combined one or several data points for each block to arrive at one summary view for each individual side of each block - 266 line segments.

LINK Houston staff and volunteers auditing sidewalks in the Second Ward neighborhood in Houston.


What We Found

The blue shaded area indicates the blocks we audited, described previously as the 70 city blocks bounded by Harrisburg, Drennan, Crites/Ira, and Lockwood. This base map also provides other transportation context, including a school speed zone on a portion of Navigation Blvd near the Ripley House Charter School, bus stops along Canal and Lockwood, and the METRO Green Line light rail along Harrisburg.

Teams of volunteers were given assignments consisting of several blocks to audit and survey forms to note issues.

Two LINK Houston volunteers walk and audit a sidewalk in a portion of the Second Ward neighborhood.

Two LINK Houston volunteers walk and audit a portion of a street in Second Ward, Houston.

Volunteers walked from the meeting place at the Ripley House campus out to their assignment. The combined efforts resulted in surveys and other notes for about 550 total issues. This map depicts the general location of issues. Specific addresses are not included in the dataset. The primary intent of the audit was to identify the general location of issues and gaps in the network so the community can advocate to decision-makers for improvements. - in other words, a starting point for community advocacy.

A portion of N. Eastwood in Second Ward, Houston. The portion of the street has narrow, but accessible sidewalks. Photo credit: Google

A portion of N. Eastwood in Second Ward, Houston. The portion of the street has narrow, but accessible sidewalks. Photo credit: Google

LINK Houston combined the data and cleaned it up to ultimately create one summary record for each side of each block. This map depicts the 266 blocks in the final dataset.

The 266 blocks total up to about 17.8 miles. The average individual block is about 360 feet long. The following maps depict the findings. You will also find a map tour of specific examples of "good and bad" sidewalk locations and a final interactive map at the bottom of the story.

About 69 of the 266 blocks are missing some or all of the sidewalk - approximately 4.6 miles of the 17.8 miles total. Streets missing sidewalks appear most concentrated north of Canal and west of Eastwood. Some blocks lack sidewalks on either side while other blocks miss only a portion on one side.

A street in Second Ward with no sidewalk and open ditches.

A street in Houston's Second Ward with no sidewalks and open ditches.

About 197 of the 266 blocks have some sidewalks: 30 blocks (2 miles worth) have partial sidewalks, depicted in light green on the map, and 167 blocks (about 11 miles) have complete or nearly complete sidewalks, depicted in dark green.

A portion of an incomplete sidewalk in Second Ward Houston. The sidewalk ends and grass continues.

A portion of an incomplete sidewalk in Second Ward, Houston.

An example of an accessible, well-connect, wide and safe sidewalk in Second Ward.

An example of an accessible, well-connected, wide and safe sidewalk in Houston's Second Ward.

Sidewalks that do exist are in varying condition:

  • Excellent - 77 blocks, 5.1 miles
  • Good - 37 blocks, 2.2 miles
  • Fair - 49 blocks, 3.6 miles
  • Poor - 34 blocks, 2.3 miles
  • Missing - 69 blocks, 4.6 miles
Patchy and overgrown sidewalk on a street in Second Ward. The sidewalk is overgrown by grass and inaccessible.

Patchy and overgrown sidewalk on a street in Houston's Second Ward. The sidewalk is overgrown by grass and inaccessible.

Volunteers noted specific issues for locations on many blocks. LINK Houston summarized the data up to the side of each block as a whole. One of the questions about each block was, "How severe is the sidewalk condition being reported?" This map depicts volunteers' combined rating for each of the 154 blocks where one or more issues were noted, meaning blocks not highlighted on this map possess sidewalks in good condition or missing altogether:

  • 'Annoying, but can still walk' - 75 blocks, 5.4 miles
  • 'Can walk, but might trip' - 21 blocks, 1.2 miles
  • 'Perceivable danger, would warn others' - 11 blocks, 1 mile
  • 'Experience danger using this sidewalk' - 8 blocks, 0.6 miles
  • 'No longer usable' - 46 blocks, 2.9 miles

Volunteers then specifically looked to document six common sidewalk issues:

  1. Missing sidewalks
  2. Sidewalk crumpling by tree roots
  3. Large crack or gap
  4. Uneven surface
  5. Not accessible for someone with limited mobility
  6. Not accessible for families traveling with young children

About 21 of the 266 blocks have one or several locations with sidewalk damage due to buckling from treet root growth.

Broken and inaccessible sidewalk in Second Ward, Houston. A portion of the sidewalk is damaged due to buckling from tree root growth.

Broken and inaccessible sidewalk in Second Ward, Houston. A portion of the sidewalk is damaged due to buckling from tree root growth.

About 93 of the 266 blocks have one or several locations with large sidewalk cracks or gaps, as the image depicts below.

A portion of a sidewalk showing a crack, which is unsafe and inaccessible.

A portion of a sidewalk showing a crack, which is unsafe and inaccessible.

About 102 of the 266 blocks have one or several locations where the sidewalk surface is uneven, as the image depicts below.

A portion of the sidewalk that is uneven and dangerous for someone who is rolling or pushing a stroller.

A portion of the sidewalk that is uneven and dangerous for someone who is rolling or pushing a stroller.

About 129 of the 266 blocks were deemed by volunteers to be potentially challenging or inaccessible to people with a disability.

The sidewalk curb in the image does not have an accessible curb for wheelchair access.

The sidewalk curb in this photo does not have an accessible ramp for wheelchair access.

About 40 of the 266 blocks were deemed by volunteers to be potentially unsafe for families with children (i.e., use of a stroller).

A large portion of the sidewalk that is falling apart, dangerous and inaccessible for families with small children.

A large portion of the sidewalk that is falling apart, dangerous and inaccessible for families with small children.

We knew some blocks would lack a sidewalk altogether. Volunteers tried to discern if there was evidence of someone walking by answering the question, "If sidewalk is incomplete or missing altogether, do you see evidence of people walking or biking along the street, such as paths worn in the grass or dirt? Yes / No / Unsure."

On about 14 blocks, volunteers found evidence of people walking where there is no sidewalk, as the image below depicts.

Area along a Second Ward street with no sidewalk infrastructure at all.

Area along a Second Ward street with no sidewalk infrastructure at all.


The Good, the Poor, the Missing - Specific Examples

1

Brady & Super (NW corner)

While the residents' valiant effort to bridge a ditch on a broken sidewalk is admirable, it does not mean the sidewalk is truly accessible.

2

Canal & Sidney

Trees provide many important benefits in Houston, including shade for people walking and rolling. The tree in this image is an old live oak whose knotty roots fill in the space where a sidewalk would exist and is actually the only gap in the sidewalk along either side of Canal. The siting of future trees should preserve space for accessible sidewalks too.

3

North Super (and nearby area)

We found many truly excellent sidewalks, especially north of Navigation Blvd. around North Eastwood and North Super. This example is wide-level, unbroken, and has corner cut ramps.

4

Eastwood & Sherman

Some vacant properties waiting for use also wait for sidewalks.

5

Drennan (and other places)

People often park along a street and block sidewalks, making it inaccessible and dangerous for people who walk or roll. We urge everyone who drives to park without blocking a sidewalk (photo credit: Google).

6

North Jenkins & Lovejoy

Even excellent infrastructure needs maintenance and continued care, such is the case at this corner cut ramp with dirt, debris, and weeds.

7

Bering & North Sidney

This sidewalk needs a curb cut ramp to make a safe crossing for all our friends and neighbors who use a walker, cane, or roll, or people who push strollers. Interestingly, the other side of this intersection has the ramp - so halfway there!

8

Sherman & Hunt

The sidewalks in this image are continuous, level, and have accessible corner ramps with truncated domes for non-visual detection (photo credit: Google).


Interactive Map of Sidewalk Condition

You can explore our findings with the interactive map below. Click on particular blocks to see what we learned. Address information only identifies the block and not in any case individual properties.

S.A.F.E. Streets Sidewalk Audit - Second Ward

Next "Steps"

Here’s how you can take action now by contacting the Mayor's Office, your Houston City Councilmember, the Houston Department of Public Works, and the Houston Department of Planning and Development:

Demand Dedicated Funding. Tell elected officials you want to see dedicated funding for safety programs for people walking, rolling, and biking. Urge leaders to prioritize the limited funding dedicated in the City budget and to seek additional resources for transportation priorities identified in the Vision Zero Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, Houston Bike Plan, and Resilient Houston. Scaling such projects to improve safety and access for people who walk, roll, or bike, particularly in communities of color, will improve climate justice and equitable outcomes for all.

Ask for Mobility Projects. Tell elected officials we need infrastructure projects that center improving safety and dignity for people who walk, roll, or bike routinely to access opportunity – and then layer on other improvements (like drainage, potholes, etc.). Encourage elected officials and bureaucrats to seek out public-private partnerships and philanthropy, as the City has done for other budget shortfalls.

Expect Systemic Change. Tell City of Houston officials we need systemic change, such as by establishing a Department of Transportation. A new department could leverage existing funding and staff and create a single point-of-contact for the public and for outside partners (including funding partners). Call on elected officials and transportation decision-makers to seek funding opportunities through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and partnerships with philanthropic entities to catalyze pilot projects with a particular focus on equity and climate justice.

TIRZ 6 Eastside covers portions of the study area, depicted in red, mostly along major streets or north/south local streets south of Canal.

TIRZ 6 Eastside covers portions of the study area, depicted in red, mostly along major streets or north/south local streets south of Canal.

Upcoming Policy Changes

City officials emphasize the value of walkability and promote initiatives such as the Vision Zero Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, and the Resilient Houston Strategy, however, Houstonians continue to face poor and dangerous sidewalks due to limited funding sources and political will to prioritize investments and improvements for people who walk and roll. Changes in how the city funds sidewalks may be coming with a new ordinance currently under development by the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. To view a presentation about the proposed ordinance which would create a “fee in lieu” structure, watch this Super Neighborhood Alliance meeting  recording  (the presentation starts approximately 20 minutes in). The city's Planning and Development Department is still ironing out all the details of the ordinance before starting a public comment process.

Replicate our S.A.F.E. Sidewalks Audit in YOUR Community

If you would like to audit sidewalks in your neighborhood so that you can have data to advocate with decisionmakers, contact us at info@linkhouston.org. We are happy to work with you and your community. We learned some lessons in this first such audit in Second Ward and look forward to helping others.

Thank you to all the community volunteers who joined this effort - for your time, effort, and passion!

A group photo of LINK Houston staff and volunteers during the S.A.F.E. Sidewalk initiative in Second Ward.

LINK Houston gratefully acknowledges the participation and contributions of all our community volunteers (some of whom are pictured here.)

www.linkhouston.org

LINK Houston advocates for a robust and equitable transportation network so all people can reach opportunity.

North Super St. in Second Ward. The portion of the block has sidewalks on each side of the street. Photo Credit: Google

The sidewalk on this portion of a street in Second Ward is uneven and has cracks leading up to a sidewalk patch in great condition. It is generally inaccessible.

TIRZ 6 Eastside covers portions of the study area, depicted in red, mostly along major streets or north/south local streets south of Canal.

LINK Houston gratefully acknowledges the participation and contributions of all our community volunteers (some of whom are pictured here.)

Two LINK Houston volunteers walk and audit a portion of a street in Second Ward, Houston.

A portion of N. Eastwood in Second Ward, Houston. The portion of the street has narrow, but accessible sidewalks. Photo credit: Google

A street in Houston's Second Ward with no sidewalks and open ditches.

A portion of an incomplete sidewalk in Second Ward, Houston.

An example of an accessible, well-connected, wide and safe sidewalk in Houston's Second Ward.

Patchy and overgrown sidewalk on a street in Houston's Second Ward. The sidewalk is overgrown by grass and inaccessible.

Broken and inaccessible sidewalk in Second Ward, Houston. A portion of the sidewalk is damaged due to buckling from tree root growth.

A portion of a sidewalk showing a crack, which is unsafe and inaccessible.

A portion of the sidewalk that is uneven and dangerous for someone who is rolling or pushing a stroller.

The sidewalk curb in this photo does not have an accessible ramp for wheelchair access.

A large portion of the sidewalk that is falling apart, dangerous and inaccessible for families with small children.

Area along a Second Ward street with no sidewalk infrastructure at all.