Originally published in the Park Bugle, August 2026.
Sometimes the best way to understand a neighborhood is to slow down and walk it.
That’s exactly what neighbors, elected officials, and community volunteers did this summer as the St. Anthony Park Community Council (SAPCC) Transportation Committee partnered with AARP Minnesota to conduct a Walk Audit through South St. Anthony Park.
Unlike a typical neighborhood walk, an AARP Walk Audit is a structured assessment that evaluates how comfortable, safe, and accessible streets are for people of all ages and abilities. Participants document conditions for walking, rolling, crossing streets, lighting, sidewalks, transit access, and other features that shape everyday life.
The group examined the area surrounding the Westgate and Metro Transit stations, including Vandalia Street, Wabash Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Montgomery Street, University Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, and nearby sidewalks connecting homes, businesses, and transit.
Along the route, participants identified numerous opportunities for improvement. Sidewalks varied widely in condition, some were narrow or missing entirely, and utility poles, railroad infrastructure, and other obstacles interrupted pedestrian routes. Lighting was inconsistent in several locations, curb conditions varied, and some Metro Transit facilities lacked direct sidewalk connections.
One particularly striking reminder of the area’s history was a cast-iron manhole cover stamped 1918 – a small detail that underscored just how long portions of the surrounding public infrastructure have been waiting for investment.
Scott Jensen, co-chair of SAPCC’s Transportation Committee, said the walk demonstrated why seeing streets from a pedestrian’s perspective is so valuable.
“When you’re driving through this area, you experience it one way,” Jensen said. “When you walk it, especially with neighbors of different ages and abilities, you notice things that can easily be overlooked. Walk audits help us understand where small improvements can make a big difference in how safe and welcoming our streets feel.”
Participants included representatives from AARP Minnesota, community members, Saint Paul Public Works, Metro Transit, Ramsey County, and Ward 4 Councilmember Molly Coleman, who joined neighbors in documenting observations throughout the afternoon.
The audit focused on identifying strengths as well as opportunities. South St. Anthony Park continues to see significant public and private investment, including new transit service, housing, and redevelopment. The walk provided another opportunity to think about how streets and public spaces can better connect those investments while making the area more comfortable for everyone.
SAPCC Transportation Co-chair Pat Thompson noted that the observations gathered during the audit will help inform future conversations with public agencies as improvements are planned.
Walk audits like this are not about assigning blame. They’re about helping communities see their public spaces through fresh eyes and identifying practical opportunities to improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life.
As redevelopment continues throughout South St. Anthony Park, SAPCC hopes the audit will help ensure future investments create streets that work well for everyone – whether arriving by foot, bicycle, wheelchair, bus, or car.