A band of walkers gathered Saturday at the 100-year-old Pasadena Presbyterian Church with a mission: Give pedestrians in this city their rightful place on the sidewalk. Reduce auto vs. pedestrian conflicts. Add some more shade trees.

"Make it enjoyable to walk," said Nancy Nelson, a Pasadena resident.

Nelson was one of about 40 people who came to hear the conclusions of the city's first "walkabout," which was held on a foggy morning in March. At that event, about 125 people fanned out over 25 walking routes to understand why walkers often say Pasadena's streets feel so hostile.

"Loud, scary and fast," one participant wrote of Walnut Street.

Some sidewalks were so narrow that pedestrians felt threatened by the rush of cars speeding on Lake Avenue toward the 210 Freeway onramp.

One volunteer recalled a motorist nearly running him over at a crosswalk.