This winter, Walk Around Philadelphia marks its 10th anniversary by stepping into a new phase of growth. 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 an exploration of the city’s outer edge.

In a news release, the organization says it 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? It 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. Routes are coordinated with public transit, and accessibility information is available on the organization’s website, walkaroundphiladelphia.org.

This anniversary season is supported by a new three-year funding commitment. 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.

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.

“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.”