The Be Active Safe Routes initiative is hosting an open house for Lawrence parents to share their thoughts on improving walking and biking to school for elementary and middle school students. Insights from the open house will be used to set priorities for Lawrence’s citywide Safe Routes to School plan.
The open house, which will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, in Flory Meeting Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St., is the second community engagement exercise in the development process for the citywide plan. Earlier this fall, Lawrence parents were asked to participate in an online survey about walking and biking routes to school. Insights from that survey will be utilized to guide discussion and questions at the open house this November.
“The open house will be a key opportunity for parents to weigh in on Safe Routes to School and provide feedback that helps us prioritize programs that ultimately improve the ways students travel to school,” said Jessica Mortinger, transportation planning manager, Lawrence-Douglas County Planning & Development Services.
Open house participants will be grouped into discussions based on the school(s) their children attend, and they will have specific questions that are based on that school and the surrounding neighborhood. While the open house discussions will be school-based, the insights will be used to guide a plan that ultimately focuses on citywide priorities.
“We are excited to share the progress we have made since 2014, and we look forward to continuing to implement change for improved walkability and bikeability throughout Lawrence neighborhoods,” Mortinger said.
In addition to parents, school staff and other interested Lawrence residents are also invited to attend and share their opinion. Free childcare will be provided and vouchers are available for free transportation to and from the open house using Lawrence Transit. Please contact Sarah Hartsig with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, shartsig@ldchealth.org or 785-856-5333, if interested in a transportation voucher. Snacks will also be provided.
In Lawrence and Douglas County, the Be Active Safe Routes initiative is a comprehensive approach to make neighborhoods safe and accessible for everyone. In addition to improving safety, Be Active Safe Routes benefits communities by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, increasing the opportunity to be physically active, and building community cohesion. The program includes partners from across Douglas County, including Lawrence, Eudora and Baldwin City. For more information about the process visit beactivesaferoutes.com.