Walk Around Philadelphia Enters a New Phase in Its 10th Anniversary Season
Authored By: Walk Around Philadelphia | January 29, 2026
New resources, expanded access, and a growing community mark a milestone year for the civic walking initiative
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.
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. 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 to the 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.
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% 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. The youngest known full circumnavigator completed the entire walk at age 11. This season will also mark founder JJ Tiziou’s 17th full circumnavigation of Philadelphia — each journey revealing new routes, stories, and connections.
“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.
2026 Winter Walk Season
The 10th anniversary winter walk season will take place over twelve days — Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays — from February 7 through March 2, with nineteen itineraries available as multiple groups walk in opposite directions on select days.
The season kicks off with a virtual information session on February 2, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Act of Consolidation that established Philadelphia’s modern boundaries.
Media are invited to cover the Day 1 send-off on Friday, February 7 at 10:00am at Cherry Street Pier — a visual and celebratory start to the anniversary season. Founder, facilitators, and participants will be available for interviews.
Additional images, maps, and video clips are available upon request.
To learn more, explore routes, review accessibility information, or join a walk segment, visit walkaroundphiladelphia.org.
Press inquiries and interview requests are welcome.
MEDIA CONTACT
JJ Tiziou
Walk Around Philadelphia
📧 jj@walkaroundphiladelphia.org
📞 267-251-5464
🌐 walkaroundphiladelphia.org
WALK AROUND PHILADELPHIA — AT A GLANCE
Who: Walk Around Philadelphia, a civic walking initiative begun in 2016
What: Facilitated, community-powered walks tracing Philadelphia’s outer edge
Why: To slow down, explore our shared boundaries together, and cultivate connection, care, and curiosity across the city
When: Winter walk season runs February 7–March 2; biannual walk cycles take place each winter and fall
Where: Along Philadelphia’s perimeter; routes coordinated with public transit
How: Participants join one full-day segment (or part of one) at a time; no requirement to complete the full route
What’s new in this anniversary season:
– 10th anniversary of Walk Around Philadelphia
– New three-year funding commitment supporting expanded capacity
– Brand new website
– Network of co-facilitators and volunteer “trail angels”
– Multilingual programming pilots (Spanish and French)
– New member of The Circuit Trails coalition
Season logistics:
– 12 walking days on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays
– 19 itineraries total, with groups walking in opposite directions on select days
– Day 1 send-off: February 7, 10:00am, Cherry Street Pier
Access: Free to join; optional sliding-scale contribution extends into stipend support
Learn more: walkaroundphiladelphia.org
