DEL.ICIO.USGOLDEN CARROT
Roswell communities make walking to school safer
Sweet Apple Elementary students benefit from modifications and incentives
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Not since they steadied their baby’s first steps along the floor has a group of parents been so proud to see their children walking.
About 260 families moved into the Crabapple Lake and Crabapple Parc communities thanks in large part to the subdivisions’ walking distance to Sweet Apple Elementary School. But when they discovered that the intersection was not safe for their children to cross, parents took extra steps to make the environment pedestrian- and child-friendly.
MARYANN MALENA/Special
A permanent crossing guard, better crosswalk striping and a pedestrian-activated traffic signal are all improvements that help students get from their subdivisions to Sweet Apple Elementary School in Roswell.
SANJAY KHAITAN/Special
On Friday afternoons, parents have snacks and drinks waiting for students near the subdivision entrance.
City of Roswell
Signs make it clear to drivers that they are entering a school zone. And the speed reminder lets drivers know to slow down.
Reason nominated: Encouraging children to walk to school
Who benefits: Pedestrians in the community
Lesson that can be learned: Safer walking conditions improve fitness options.
More Golden Carrots
They contacted the City of Roswell and secured a number of improvements and modifications that have made walking to school the first option for a growing number of students, and helped to bring the community closer.
Among the changes the communities achieved working with the city over a period of more than two years:
• Crosswalk striping: Replaced with brighter, more reflective striping.
• Crossing guard: A permanent crossing guardwas employed at the school crosswalk at Crabapple and Etris roads to ensure safety of all pedestrians.
• Pedestrian signs: A sign before drivers reach the crosswalk reminds them to look for pedestrians crossing the road, and a sign at the crosswalk (with a downward arrow) indicates where motorists should be crossing.
• School zone signs: These designate the official boundaries for the reduction in speed required by law before and after school hours. Flashing lights and radar signs also notify drivers they are entering a school zone.
• Speed radars: These alert motorists by displaying their speed when entering the 25-mph school zone.
• Pedestrian-activated traffic signal: An exclusive pedestrian phase causes traffic on all four approaches to the signal to stop and wait for pedestrians to cross whenever someone pushes the button. Countdown timers also let pedestrians know exactly how much time they have to cross the road.
• Sidewalks: Additional sidewalks connect the two communities so pedestrians from Crabapple Lake can more safely access the school crosswalk at the entrance to Crabapple Parc.
“The City of Roswell was amazingly receptive to community involvement,” said Maryann Malena, a neighborhood leader whose youngest child attends the school. She admits that the city could not accommodate every request but said that it tried to respond to most of them.
The school also did its part by releasing “walkers” before “car poolers” and allowing teachers to assist children across the school’s parking lot to the walking trail.
“This is an example of people working together to make things happen,” she said.
Neighbors also come together each Friday to reward children for their efforts. Once the children cross into the subdivision, parents treat them to snacks and drinks in the yard of a home at the entrance. “Friday Snacks” has become so popular that car poolers and children who normally stay in after school often opt to walk on Fridays so they can participate in the festivities. Many children who began walking on Fridays for the fellowship now walk home every day, said Malena.
Seventy-five percent of the Crabapple Lake and Crabapple Parc elementary school students walk to and from school.
“Even in this era of increased gas prices and decreased gas supply, it is rare to find a community so dedicated to walking,” said Malena.
WHO DESERVES A CARROT?
Neighborhood groups, offices, schools, churches — any organized effort bringing people together to promote health and fitness. The Golden Carrot feature recognizes efforts, large and small, that might inspire others to initiate their own programs. We want to hear about yours. Submit nominations to betterhealth@ajc.com.
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