Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School Programs
The National Center for Safe Routes to School assists community leaders, schools and parents across the United States to improve safety and encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school. In the process, SRTS programs work to reduce traffic congestion and improve health and the environment, making communities more livable for everyone.
The Center provides the knowledge and technical information to implement safe and successful strategies. The Safe Routes to School website offers a community guide, toolkit, videos and more.
The New York Network is another resource that encourages schools to participate in activities that “advance our health, safety and environment.” They hold an annual Poster Art contest, a Writing Contest and Walking School Bus activities, offering prized to participants in registered schools.
Safe Routes to School Warren Road Walkway Project
A local SRTS program is underway. Walking and bicycling enhancements along Warren Road from Hanshaw Road to the Dewitt Middle School and the Northeast Elementary School are focal points of the Town of Ithaca project.
Town Supervisor Herb Engman endorses the sustainability aspects of providing more ways for children to walk and bike to school while simultaneously cutting down on motor vehicle transportation. He remarked, “The benefits to our children are profound because walking to school promotes both physical exercise and interpersonal skills, as children meet up and talk with one another on their way to school. Our technological world has a tendency to make our children disconnected from one another; if we can help them get outside walking and talking to one another in a safe environment, we have done much to enhance their lives.”
The proposed Warren Road Walkway Project consists of a paved walkway, which will be constructed and maintained by the Town of Ithaca Public Works Department, on the east side of Warren Road from Hanshaw Road to the Dewitt Middle School crosswalk, and a paved walkway on the west side of Warren Road from the school to Uptown Road. The Town will also be constructing drainage improvements in conjunction with the walkway.
For more information, contact Project Manager Craig Hebdon at 607-273-1656, or Judy Drake at the town of Ithaca at jdrake@town.ithaca.ny.us.
