Walking to school is an incomparable experience of childhood. However, with the increasing rates of obesity in children, traffic congestion and air pollution all a result of decreased exercise and increased dependence on single-occupancy motor vehicle transportation, the idea of walking to school has taken on new importance.
Principal Susanna Furfari, the Micheltorena PTA, and the Micheltorena School and Community Garden Team, in collaboration with City Council President Eric Garcetti, Council District 13 and the Department of Street Services are proud to announce the award of a $350,000 state-sponsored “Safe Routes to School” grant.
Safe Routes to School is an international movement that seeks to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. Awarded grant funds are used by the City to improve safety and accessibility in the areas surrounding schools, as well as reduce traffic and air pollution in the surrounding neighborhood. As a result, this program will make bicycling and walking to Micheltorena safer, as well as creating a more walk- and bike-friendly Silver Lake. California began awarding Safe Routes to School grants to neighborhoods in 1999.
Our grant plans involve the construction of “bulb outs” in the intersections adjacent to the school, the creation of a bicycle corral and bus stop shelter, and the installation of trees and landscaping that will beautify the neighborhood and encourage walking and biking to school.
The implementation of the project will likely roll out by the proposed schedule:
Encumber funds within 6 months of Approved Project List (by 3/18/2011)
Start construction within 2 years of Encumbered Funds (by 3/18/2013)
Close-out project within 2 years after construction start (by 3/18/2015)
Please click here to read our grant proposal. Click here to read more about the California Safe Routes to School grant program. The National Center for Safe Routes to School website provides information to lawmakers, teachers and parents who want to create safe ways for children to walk and bike to school.