By JJ Tiziou
Philadelphia, PA — This winter, Walk Around Philadelphia marks its 10th anniversary by stepping into a new phase of growth, capacity-building, and shared stewardship.
What began in 2016 as a five-day artist-led experiment has grown into a citywide civic practice, engaging more than 2,000 participants to date in a slow, collective exploration of Philadelphia’s outer edge.
Hikers, like these at the foot of Shawmont Ave. in 2024, will get to amble through our area on Feb. 21st. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
A group of hardy hikers braved Arctic conditions near the East Falls Bridge. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
Clio Mailin and Marielle Cohen start out on a 10 mile trek at the Cherry St. Pier. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
JJ Tiziou, with hiker Terri, was excited about Review coverage back in 2024. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
JJ Tiziou was front and center during a photography exhibition at the Schuylkill Center in 2023. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Hikers, like these at the foot of Shawmont Ave. in 2024, will get to amble through our area on Feb. 21st. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
As the initiative enters its second decade — and as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary — Walk Around Philadelphia continues to ask a simple, enduring question:
What might we discover about our city, and about one another, if we take the time to walk its boundaries together?
Walk Around Philadelphia invites participants to trace the city’s perimeter on foot, following routes that weave through riversides, industrial corridors, neighborhoods, and often overlooked landscapes.
Founder of the Walk Around Philly, JJ Tiziou, plots the group’s path along the Delaware. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
Each walk segment is an all-day adventure, but participants are encouraged to start with just one segment — or even part of one — and to build their relationship tocthe walk over time.
Routes are coordinated with public transit, and accessibility information is available on the organization’s newly launched website.
This anniversary season is supported by a new three-year funding commitment supporting Walk Around Philadelphia as it expands, allowing the organization to evolve beyond its founder-led origins into a more distributed, community-powered model.
A network of co-facilitators has begun to support walk segments; volunteer “trail angels” surprise walkers with snacks, encouragement, and logistical support along the way; and the organization continues to develop shorter, more accessible offerings throughout the year.
Map reading is an acquired skill that is one of the perks for Walk Around Philly participants. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
At its core, the walk offers an invitation to slow down and practice how we want to be in the world together — building a shared civic literacy, learned one step at a time.
“The walk feels especially relevant right now exactly because it isn’t urgent,” said founder JJ Tiziou.
“It’s an opportunity to slow down and to practice the kind of world we want to build — even if only for a day — one where all are welcome and we care for one another. The walk asks the timeless question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ and challenges what we think we know about the city by opening up unexpected landscapes, experiences, and conversations.”
Walk Around Philadelphia now hosts biannual walk cycles each winter and fall, alongside exhibitions, gatherings, educational programs, and self-guided (DIY) options.
The organization recently became one of the newest members of The Circuit Trails coalition and has begun piloting multilingual programming in Spanish and French, with plans to expand language access further in the coming year.
Access remains central to the organization’s mission. Walk participation is free, with an optional sliding-scale contribution that extends into stipend support.
Over the past year, Walk Around Philadelphia distributed $11,400 in stipends across 57 registrations, and is working toward a goal of ensuring that 20 percent of participants in each walk group receive financial support, reflecting the city’s poverty rate and helping ensure the walk remains open to all.
Over time, the walk has also become a long-term journey for many participants.
More than 40 people are now known to have completed a full circumnavigation of the city, some recognized recently at the organization’s second annual Circumnavigator Awards.
Walkers trudge through the snow along Forbidden Drive with the Henry Ave. Bridge lurking in the background. (Photo by JJ Tiziou)
The youngest known full circumnavigator completed the entire walk at age 11.
“When I began this experience, I waffled in uncertainty,” said Theresa Reilly, participant and returning walker. “As it turned out, it gave more to me than I gave to it.”
“This is an amazing life transformation experience for the greater good in the world. It has changed lives for the better and strengthened community in times when so many feel separated,” said Darrell Brokenborough, participant and returning walker.