AFC Webinar – Snow Moles on Patrol: Age-Friendly Volunteers Root Out Winter Walking Problems

Winter conditions can make winter walking dangerous – particularly for older people and those using mobility aids. Older adults can become housebound and socially isolated in the winter months, fearful of falling on ice and unable to climb over high snowbanks. People using wheelchairs and walkers as well as mothers pushing strollers are challenged by narrow sloping sidewalks, snow windrows and curb cuts covered by ice.

Walkability and pedestrian safety in winter have been a priority of the Council on Aging of Ottawa (COA) since 2016. In 2019, we focused on winter walking through the Snow Mole campaign and piloted the use of an online tool to collect the data in addition to paper-based audit tools.

This annual project offers the voice of residents, particularly older adults, and other vulnerable pedestrians, on winter walkability based on “boots on the ground” information they themselves collect. The 2021 Snow Mole Campaign and Final Report once again alerts the City and community to how age-friendly and accessible the city truly is in the winter.

In this webinar, join the Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Sub-Committee of the COA to:

• Celebrate the release of the Snow Mole Report 2021 – Winter Walking in Ottawa
• Learn about the history and evolution of the Snow Mole campaign to report on safe winter walking conditions in Ottawa
• Find out how you can engage and mobilize your community to promote safe winter walking
• Identify and recruit community champions, including key city councillors and staff