Weekly Walks Build Community

Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., a mix of Lindsay Heights neighbors meet on the corner of 11^thand Lloyd streets to walk around the neighborhood together. Trasus Wright, a member of the Lindsay Street Neighborhood Association, started the walks in 2006.

“We walk around the neighborhood to engage with the community and pick up any trash that is around,” Wright said. “Sometimes we barely make it around the block because we are talking with people.”

Wright said that the number of participants varies from week to week, but it usually is about 10 people. The walkers gather at the corner, get updates and sign in. It is common for other neighbors to join in as they see the group walk by.

According to Wright, the walks have become a staple in the Lindsay Heights community. As they walk through the neighborhood, Wright and other members stop at houses to recruit other walkers or to check in on their neighbors.

“We have just gotten to the point where people see us and they wave,” Wright said.

State Rep. Leon Young, whose district includes Lindsay Heights, walks with the group when he can. He explained that this type of community building helps Lindsay Heights by making the neighborhood a more desirable place for businesses to locate.

Like Young, 23-year-old Jordyn Walker has attended the walks whenever he can swing it.

“It is fun to get out and get an update with everyone,” Walker said. “Not to mention it is good exercise.”

Wright said that he encourages young people to join the walks as well. Shakiera Blunt, 13, even has a job to do.

Blunt helps everyone sign in, and also helps Wright spread the word about community events or neighborhood parties.

Blunt said that one day Wright just came to her house to knock on the door and say hello to her family. Not long after, Blunt and her mom joined the walks.

“We’ve been doing this so long, they’re kind of like family to us,” she said of her fellow walkers.

“It’s fun,” Blunt added. “Kids these days think that there is nothing better than your phone, but there’s better stuff to do.”

This story was originally published by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, where you can find other stories reporting on fifteen city neighborhoods in Milwaukee.