Medford Promotes Walkability With Launch Of FindMedford Pilot Program

MEDFORD, MA — The City of Medford is launching FindMedford, a new pedestrian wayfinding pilot program aimed at promoting walkability, reducing traffic congestion, and limiting emissions by encouraging the public to access points of interest by foot, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said.

The FindMedford wayfinding program will create a comprehensive city-wide plan for signage to help people safely navigate points throughout the city. These signs will highlight Medford’s history, including landmarks and buildings, give squares and destinations a boost, and assist with the transition between car, pedestrian, and transit use.

“Medford has so many amazing destinations that are all accessible by foot,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn said in a statement. “By installing these wayfinding signs, we’re encouraging people to walk through our squares, green spaces and downtowns to experience everything our City has to offer.”

Sign design, walking routes, and destinations were developed in collaboration with WalkBoston, an advocacy organization dedicated to improving walkability across Massachusetts, and WalkMedford, a community-based pedestrian advocacy group.

Funded through a Shared Streets and Spaces grant from MassDOT, the program is set to tentatively launch later this summer.

Mayor Lungo-Koehn signed a pledge to cut the City’s carbon emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The FindMedford Program was created with that goal in mind.

The initial phase of the pilot program will focus on Medford Square, directing pedestrians to destinations in and around the square. Signage will also connect walkers to four other neighborhoods: Haines Square, South Medford, Hillside, and West Medford.

“Reducing our carbon footprint while also providing an active, accessible program that the public can utilize is a truly wonderful thing,” Planning, Development and Sustainability Director Alicia Hunt said in a statement. “Pedestrian wayfinding is a crucial tool that promotes walkability, limits reliance on vehicles and encourages people to explore new places in Medford.”

A map of destinations and walking routes can be found here.