{"id":45571,"date":"2024-06-21T07:14:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T10:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=45571"},"modified":"2024-06-21T09:29:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T12:29:08","slug":"sackville-gets-noticed-for-its-walkability-among-maritime-small-towns-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/sackville-gets-noticed-for-its-walkability-among-maritime-small-towns-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Sackville gets noticed for its walkability among Maritime small towns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A car-free lifestyle might not be what most people associate with small town living, but car-free Moncton resident Charles MacDougall crunched the numbers this spring to come up with a list of seven Maritime towns where significant numbers of residents walk or bike to get around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From @charlesdesmines on X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sackville is number 4 on MacDougall\u2019s list, clocking in with 20.8% of residents walking or biking to work regularly. That may be impressive for a small town, but it\u2019s nowhere near the number for Annapolis Royal, which according to MacDougall\u2019s analysis, has 38.1% of residents walking or biking to work regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From @charlesdesmines on X.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To get his numbers, MacDougall used data from Canada\u2019s 2021 long form census, which asks a quarter of Canadians to answer questions on a variety of topics, including their transportation habits. MacDougall pulled the numbers and averaged rates between population centres and actual municipal boundaries of small towns. Then he published his list, along with his thoughts, in a thread on Twitter\/X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s MacDougall\u2019s list of the towns where more than 15% of residents say they mainly walk or bike to work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Annapolis Royal (38,1%) \u2013 Iconic. Lots to admire and (re)discover on foot. Many attractions, services and even grocery options for a town its size.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Saint-Andrews (23,3%) \u2013 Very classic and walkable grid layout with a strong Main St (although too touristy for my liking, doesn’t feel as practical). There’s an incredible resort and a small college campus in walking distance from the centre of town. Just overall pretty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Lunenburg (22,8%) \u2013 It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason! The dense and historic grid make for a very walkable town, even if it’s on a hill. Lots of commercial activity on a variety of streets and fisheries the waterfront too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Sackville (20,8%) \u2013 A charming university town with some industry mixed in. Irregular layout in my opinion but it adds to the quirkiness. Great trails and scenery with the marshes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Antigonish (17,8%) \u2013 Another university town and definitely a hub, whether it’s because of the regional hospital or its cultural events. Most full-service community of our top 7, with a small mall at one end of town and a sort of ”smart centre” (hi Walmart) at the other end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Pugwash (17,0%) \u2013 Our surprise of the list! Small village nestled on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore. On further examination, within or on the edge of its little grid layout, you’ll find a small hospital, two schools, a grocery store, the wharf, and a salt mine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Wolfville (15,6%) \u2013 This completes our university town trio with Sackville and Antigonish. Gorgeous downtown, although there aren’t as many services as you’d think. S-tier views with Cape Blomidon! Close to (with transit options) big box New Minas and regional hub Kentville.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

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    CHMA called up MacDougall to hear about what inspired his list:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n