Natomas Sidewalk Projects Celebrated At Walk To School Event

 

 

 

PHOTOS BY MARC LAVER
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Hundreds of Bannon Creek Elementary students celebrated International Walk To School Day yesterday, Oct. 3 in Natomas.

The event, held in partnership with WALKSacramento, Natomas Unified school district and city officials, also marked the completion of pedestrian safety projects meant to help make walking to school safer for Natomas-area children.

Bannon Creek Elementary students yesterday walked from the South Natomas Community Center to school on newly constructed, wider sidewalks. Improvements also include bulbs at key intersections to reduce the pedestrian crossing distance, curb ramps to improve accessibility, and high visibility crosswalks.

Pedestrian safety improvements were recently completed near Bannon Creek and Natomas Park elementary schools; work near Jefferson Elementary is expected to be finished later this month.

The need for the safety improvements at Bannon Creek, Natomas Park and Jefferson schools date back to 2004 when the Natomas Unified School District conducted a survey on how students got to school.

The $1.8 million improvements built by the city of Sacramento were paid for in part by a Safe Routes to School grant along with school infrastructure bond money. The mission of Safe Routes to School is to improve children’s safety while walking and bicycling to school.

To celebrate the new safety improvements, students, parents, community supporters, teachers, and school Principal Linda Wilkinson were joined by Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby, Councilman Steve Cohn, former City Councilman Ray Tretheway and Natomas Unified School District Superintendent Chris Evans and others as they walked to school.

International Walk to School Day is part of a worldwide effort to encourage more families to get out of their cars and on to their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking and bicycling to school. Founded in 1997, the international event is a way to bring community leaders and children together to build awareness of the need for communities to be more walkable. 

 

 

October is International Walk to School Month

In an effort to promote locally-based “Walktober,” the North Natomas Transportation Management Association is hosting special festivities at all seven north Natomas partner schools the first two weeks of October.

Celebrations have already taken place a Regency Park, Natomas Park, H. Allen Hight and Witter Ranch elementary schools. Look for the canopies, balloons, kids and prize giveaways at the remaining events:

Heron School
On campus
Friday, Oct. 5th, 7:40 to 8:15 a.m.
Walking School Bus meets at 7:40 a.m. and leaves at 7:50 a.m. from Burberry Park

Westlake Charter School
On campus
Wednesday, Oct. 10th
Walking School Bus, meets at 8:00 a.m. and leaves at 8:10 am from the AIM Mail Center, 3511 Del Paso Road, 95835

Westlake Middle School
On campus
Thursday, Oct. 11th
Walking School Bus, meets at 7:45 a.m. and leaves at 7:55 a.m. from Fast Signs, 2840 Del Paso Road, 95834