“Mr. WalkWorks” Leaves a Legacy of Walkable Group Advocacy in Pennsylvania
In Memoriam: Justin Robert Lehman (July 17, 1981 – February 27, 2024)
By Daniel Worth, Nicole Smith, and Ian Thomas
In 2015, Justin Lehman utilized to take part in America Walks’ inaugural Strolling School program however he was not awarded a Fellowship. In 2016, he submitted one other utility – and obtained one other letter which began “With our regrets, …”.
Justin’s “drawback” was that he was over-qualified! A Public Well being Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania Division of Well being, he had not too long ago pioneered the “PA WalkWorks” initiative, by which strolling routes/applications had been created in dozens of communities throughout the Commonwealth, walkability assessments had been carried out, and infrastructure plans had been developed. Justin was having a lot success with out collaborating within the Strolling School, it didn’t make sense to award one of many restricted Fellowships to him.
As a substitute, America Walks launched a unique sort of partnership with Justin and the Pennsylvania Division of Well being, by internet hosting a pair of “Collaborative Workshops on Walkable Communities” in 2016 and 2017 in Harrisburg. These occasions introduced collectively leaders and workers with 4 different state companies (Departments of Ageing, Conservation and Pure Sources, Group and Financial Growth, and PennDOT) for high-level planning, together with quite a few non-government organizations (together with AARP Pennsylvania, the PA Downtown Heart, Recreation and Park Society, State Alliance of YMCAs, and American Coronary heart Affiliation).
Below Justin’s management, the newly-formed Pennsylvania Walkable Communities Collaborative developed and began to execute an bold Motion Plan. Multi-Company Groups targeted on Analysis, Outreach and Communications, Group Capability-Constructing, and implementation of “PennDOT Connects” – Secretary Richards’ revolutionary planning course of below which all PennDOT infrastructure initiatives had been re-evaluated to contemplate a variety of potential neighborhood advantages along with transferring visitors. Eight years later, PennDOT Connects nonetheless leads the way in which for different State Departments of Transportation who wish to incorporate progressive values into their mission and imaginative and prescient.
Over time, fourteen advocates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have obtained Fellowships to the Nationwide Strolling School – greater than every other state. Through the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Justin continued his management by convening these Fellows on quarterly zoom calls to maintain the strolling motion in Pennsylvania on the forefront of their neighborhood objectives. This initiative over a number of years supplied a chance for the Fellows to construct new relationships and acquire extra information on walkability applications throughout the state. The power of that community contributed to Pennsylvania ultimately internet hosting its personal State Strolling School, by which seven extra Fellows graduated. These extremely educated advocates have launched Strolling Motion Plans, that are making a distinction in communities as numerous as Philadelphia, Pottstown, and York.
Through the Pennsylvania State Strolling School in late 2023, one of many lasting recollections of Justin really showcased his dedication to public service past what’s historically seen. As this system was winding down, we hosted a stroll audit of Susquehanna Township, proper exterior of Harrisburg. Regardless that Justin was transferring on to a brand new function inside state authorities, everybody collaborating within the audit was adamant that we invite him as a result of all of us had a lot respect for him. Justin gladly confirmed as much as a diner parking zone that morning, smiling, and energized to take part. For a few of us, it was the primary, and sadly the one time, we ever met him past a Zoom display.
Justin Robert Lehman handed away all of a sudden on February 27, 2024. All three of us knew him nicely by his reference to America Walks and his management in Pennsylvania. Justin’s imaginative and prescient and inspiration for strolling and walkability can be sadly missed however his skilled legacy will stay on.
The Pennsylvania Downtown Heart has introduced the Justin R. Lehman Group Capability-Constructing Program for Creating Lively Transportation Plans. And right here is his private obituary.