Ponteha Aryavand, 10, of Great Falls introduced an online community petition in mid-April for a continuous yet undetermined length of sidewalk along Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Her campaign seeks to identify interest and raise awareness for the safety, health, and environmental benefits sidewalks can offer in the locality. Ponteha’s mother, Melody Akhavan said that her daughter plans to share the results of her petition with Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville District), who represents Great Falls on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

According to Ponteha, pedestrians walking along the Pike, on the narrow white-line shoulder, or the adjacent uneven grassy areas are less visible to motorists and are at risk for crash involvement. Others find the roadway a barrier and attempt to avoid the fast-moving cars by darting and running across the Pike.

Read the full story in the Great Falls Connection here.