EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS AND ACTION PLAN The purpose of this Safe Routes to School (SRTS) plan is to guide school and city staff, local and state officials, parents, and educators in their efforts to make it easier, safer and more comfortable for students to walk and bicycle to and from school. It is the product of direct observation, expert analysis of the existing conditions around the school and in the community, input from members of the community, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) assembled crash and traffic data, and results from standardized parent surveys and student travel tallies. A successful SRTS program will require community involvement if it is to have a meaningful impact on that of students attending school. However, as a bonus, SRTS programs and infrastructure usually prove beneficial to the whole community. SRTS plans and programming are just a few of the tools being used to combat physical inactivity and increased levels of obesity in the United States. Both are considered public health crises that are greatly impacting the health of Americans contributing to the rising costs of medical care today and much more so in the future if current trends continue. Walking or biking to and from school is an easy way for children to get the regular physical activity they need to combat these problems and to build healthy habits into
Figure 1: Three high-school-aged students are crowded
adulthood. Physically-active kids have fewer
as they try to walk shoulder-to-shoulder on one of the
chronic health problems. They also have improved
sidewalks in Hawley.
mood and concentration, a stronger self-image and more self-confidence which are all critical for succeeding in school and in life. SRTS programs can also instill safe travel habits to children at an early age which they can then take with them into adulthood. In the spring of 2017, the City of Hawley (City) with the Hawley Independent School District #150 (School District) were awarded a SRTS Planning Grant from MnDOT to conduct a SRTS plan for the city and the Hawley school. The SRTS planning process began in September of 2017 with a kick-off meeting and the formation of a SRTS planning team. The SRTS team envisions a community where it is safe and convenient for all its children to walk and bicycle to, from and between schools; where children can travel, explore and play in their community safely under their own power.
HAWLEY SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PLAN
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