For Journalists & Storytellers
Walk Around Philadelphia invites people to experience the city by walking its entire perimeter — exploring overlooked landscapes, waterways, infrastructure, neighborhoods, histories, and shared edges.
What began in 2016 as a small artist-led experiment has grown into a regional practice, a growing community, and a cultural phenomenon that continues to expand each season.
We’re now stepping into a third phase of organizational development — building capacity to meet growing demand, expanding equity and accessibility, and shaping the Walk into a shared pilgrimage experience that connects the entire region.
We welcome reporters, photographers, filmmakers, podcasters, students, and storytellers who want to explore this unfolding story.
Story Angles & Themes
There are many rich entry points into the Walk’s story. Your audience will love learning about:
- walking the city’s perimeter as a modern pilgrimage
- borders & boundaries — literal and metaphorical
- community connection across lines of difference
- equity, access & urban infrastructure
- environment, waterways & climate futures
- civic imagination & shared stewardship
- walking as learning, healing & meaning-making
- personal transformation through long-term practice
-> Contact us about coverage or interviews
Why the walk matters – now
The Walk is more relevant than ever:
- It offers a rare invitation into slow, shared civic experience
- It reframes how we see place, belonging, and one another
- It offers a cure for our many disconnections: from our own bodies, from the land that holds us and the neighbors that we share it with.
- People from every corner of the city and region are connecting through it
- Participation continues to grow each year
- It is becoming a regional cultural ritual
Your audience will also be excited about the long term vision that we are building toward:
-> History & roadmap
Quick facts & NUMBERS
- Mileage: The city perimeter itself is 75 miles, but our walk encompasses 100-120 miles as we navigate it. (See FAQ)
- 2 seasonal walk cycles (Feb & Sept) each offer one complete circumnavigation. Participants can start with just one part.
- Participants aged 9 – 94 from zip codes across the region
- ~ 50 Circumnavigators have completed the entire perimeter (that we know of)
- 2016 was the first walk (see history) & JJ Tiziou continued it annually as a personal practice
- Public programs began in September 2020
- JJ has completed the entire circumnavigation 16 times.