Healthy Savannah Invites Public to Share Input on Sidewalk, Park and Trail Improvements

(SAVANNAH, GA) Dec. 15, 2025, Healthy Savannah is excited to announce a new initiative to engage residents in highlighting and improving the city’s sidewalks, parks, and trails. The Mobility in Photos Project invites community members to share stories about their neighborhood parks and help identify areas that may need attention, such as broken sidewalks, overgrown walking trails, and neglected bike paths, by documenting their experiences and suggestions through a public online survey.

“If you know of overgrown parks or unsafe areas that make it challenging to walk, run, or bike, Healthy Savannah wants to hear from you,” said Armand Turner, executive director. “Your input will help map out priority areas for improvements, ensuring all residents can enjoy safe and accessible outdoor spaces.”

Turner says the public can participate by visiting Healthy Savannah’s online survey [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REACH_PAPhoto] to share their thoughts about:

• Any barriers that exist, or what works well, for walking and biking in their neighborhoods.

• Specific parks, trails, or sidewalks that need repair or maintenance.

• Special or historic aspects of a neighborhood park or favorite trail.

• Areas to suggest for “healthy walks” in and around Savannah.

The survey will remain open indefinitely.

The Mobility in Photos Project is a community-driven research initiative led by Healthy Savannah’s interns. By visiting parks, trails, and neighborhoods across the city, the interns are working with neighborhood associations and fitness groups to document and assess pedestrian and bike rider experiences. The feedback collected will directly inform city planning and improvement efforts.

“We hope this photovoice project will inspire both individuals and groups to get out and recommit to improving their healthy habits as the new year gets underway,” said Devin Frails, Healthy Savannah’s physical activity director. “While you’re out and about, take photographs along your walking or biking routes and send them to us. Tell us about the importance of your neighborhood parks, and what you want Healthy Savannah and your community to know about them. Share your stories to help promote social change.”

Frails says Healthy Savannah’s objective with this project is to empower the public to share their perspectives on challenges and strengths, engage in interaction, and directly advocate for improvements.

“We want to extend this opportunity to participate in the process to all citizens, to ensure that the city’s walking, running, and biking paths reflect the needs and voices of all Savannah’s neighborhoods,” said Turner. “We hope everyone will join us in making Savannah a healthier and more connected community. Share your feedback today and help shape the future of our city’s outdoor spaces.”

For more information, visit https://healthysavannah.org/our-programs/physical-activity/savannah-social-sight-a-photovoice-project/ or click on the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/REACH_PAPhoto.

ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA / HEALTHY SAVANNAH REACH GRANT: In October 2025, Healthy Savannah announced continued funding of the CDC’s five-year, $3.8 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant, originally endowed in 2023. The funds, administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, support sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding. Working with over 200 community partners, the Savannah/Chatham County team is advancing these goals through an “upstream” approach. Founded in 2007, Healthy Savannah was honored in 2022 with the CDC’s REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. healthysavannah.org | ymcaofcoastalga.org