Image by Aimee Custis used with permission.

To make a positive impact in the community, it’s important to do more than just read about and discuss issues online. We publish our weekly events post to tell you about opportunities to get out and act!

There is no better way to experience the built environment than in person. That's why the Coalition for Smarter Growth runs free walking tours of neighborhoods in DC, Maryland, and Virginia every spring and fall: so everyone can see the good and bad when it comes to growth in our region.

This spring, take a stroll with Coalition for Smarter Growth staff, planning experts, and like-minded friends to learn about how transit, walkability, and housing are factoring into development throughout Washington.

The next tour is this Saturday, April 8, at 10 am in Rockville. We will tour the Rockville Town Center and surrounding area to see the new development and plaza that make Rockville an emerging example of great transit-oriented development in Montgomery County. There are four more tours after this one: 14th and U Street on May 6, Del Ray on May 13, NoMa on May 20, and Bethesda on June 3.

All walking tours are on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm. RSVP now!

Don't forget to check out all these other great events this week:

Tuesday, April 4: This Tuesday is Equal Pay Day, the day when American women will have made as much money since the start of 2016 as their male counterparts did during the year. At the current rate, the gender pay gap won’t close until 2152. Help “celebrate” Equal Pay Day with an “unhappy hour” at Sauf Haus (1216 18th Street NW, Suite B) at 5:30 pm. There will be giveaways, trivia, and a photo booth!

Thursday, April 6: Curious about the basics of urban design? Head over to Arlington for a presentation and discussion on the fundamentals and implementation of good urban planning. The meeting is at Courthouse Plaza (2100 Clarendon Boulevard) from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Thursday, April 6: Environmental justice is about studying the environmental, health, housing, and economic disparities that happen in communities of color. Explore this topic with a range of panelists from the DC and Baltimore areas. The event is at 6 pm at 4519 Rhode Island Avenue in North Brentwood.

Thursday, April 6 and next Tuesday, April 11: The DC Office of Planning (OP) is updating the city's Comprehensive Plan. GGWash staff and volunteers have been working on a campaign to make sure the Comp Plan focuses on housing and equity. You can learn more about the Comp Plan at one of several open houses run by OP. On Thursday, April 6, there is an event at 1200 First Street NE from 9 am to 12 pm, one at 716 Monroe Street NE from 4 pm to 7 pm, and one at 3660 Alabama Avenue SE from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. On Tuesday, April 11, there's one at 1100 4th Street SW (3rd floor) from 9 am to 7 pm.

Friday, April 7: The Rosslyn Business Improvement District is putting on “CAFE,” or Community, Arts, Food and Entertainment, every Friday evening in April. The theme is “April Arts & Beats,” and events will be at the Bennett Park Art Atrium (1601 Clarendon Boulevard). They'll feature complimentary light bites from local restaurants, a DJ, and a cash bar. RSVP now to grab your spot!

Saturday, April 8: Celebrate the 2017 Opening Day for Trails by running or walking a 5K on the W&OD Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail in Arlington's Bluemont Park! This is a great way to explore your local trails, get outside, and enjoy your community. Plus, there will be freebies, food, face painting, and live music performed by The Capitol Hillbillies. Registration begins at 8 am and the run begins at 9 am. Sign up here.

Sunday, April 9: Like trails? Like beer? Head to the new REI (201 M Street NE) at 3 pm to celebrate the release of Rally Cry IPA, a beer REI teamed up with two DC breweries to make with the goal being to celebrate the Capital Trails Coalition. There will be beer, bike clinics, music, giveaways, and more.

Monday, April 10: The goal of Vision Zero is to make it so that nobody dies or sustains serious injuries on our roads. Head over to Vision Zero Community Workshop at the Cora Kelly Recreation Center (25 West Reed Avenue) in Alexandria Arlington to learn about the initiative and talk about traffic and safety concerns in your neighborhood.

Continue the conversation about urbanism in the Washington region and support GGWash’s news and advocacy when you join the GGWash Neighborhood!

Tagged: events

Claire Jaffe was born in DC and now lives in the U Street area. She is a University of Michigan graduate and currently works at Coalition for Smarter Growth. On her off time, Claire can be found biking the street of DC or exploring the many green spaces throughout the region.