[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Safe Routes to School Community Action Planning Meetings

[Press Releases]

MEDIA ADVISORY
March 15, 2010
 
Safe Routes to School Community Action Planning Meetings
Shepard Boulevard Elementary School: Tuesday, March 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Grant Elementary School: Thursday, March 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
 
WHAT:                These community action planning meetings emphasize
the inclusion of all stakeholders in an open discussion of issues
associated with children traveling to both Shepard and Grant Elementary
schools. The purpose of these meetings is to create safer routes to
school and increase the number of children engaged in positive healthy
activities. Consider these facts:
§  considerable traffic congestion around the schools in the morning
and afternoon, which result in safety hazards for those walking/biking
to school
§  safe routes to school will increase the numbers of children who
walk/bike to school
§  increased physical activity will result in positive effects on
health, educational achievement and behavior
                                Mark Fenton, nationally-acclaimed
walkable communities expert and host of the PBS series, "America's
Walking," will lead stakeholders in discussions about issues and
possible solutions. At the end of the evening, everyone will vote on
their favorite ideas for improving the problematic situations. All input
generated at the meetings will be analyzed by planning professionals in
the areas of urban design, transportation and health. A summary and
recommendations for next steps will be presented back the following
evening. 
 
WHO:                   Stakeholders include:
§  families (including children), faculty and staff from Shepard and
Grant Elementary Schools, respectively
§  residents and business owners living/working close to each school
§  Columbia Public School officials
§  Columbia Board of Education members
§  City of Columbia Planning, Public Works, Police and Health
officials
§  PedNet Coalition staff members
 
WHEN:                Shepard Boulevard Elementary School: Tuesday,
March 16, 5:30 p.m.
                                Grant Elementary School: Thursday,
March 18, 5:30 p.m.
 
WHERE:               Shepard Boulevard Elementary School Gymnasium
                                2616 Shepard Boulevard
 
                                Grant Elementary School Gymnasium
10 E. Broadway
                
CONTACT:           Please call Ian Thomas, PedNet Coalition Executive
Director, 239-7916, for more information
 
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