DavidsonNews.net

Want to help make Davidson a more friendly place for walking and biking? DavidsonWalks, a citizen committee working toward that goal, is seeking representatives from each neighborhood in town to join the effort.

In a profile of Davidson Walks in April (“Davidson Walks promotes foot traffic,” April 24), we reported on some of the short- and long-range goals committee members were discussing, including pushing for improved traffic enforcement;  additional crosswalks, sidewalks and school crossing guards; and promoting “walking school buses,” in which parent volunteers accompany groups of children from the neighborhoods to school.

Neighborhood representatives would not only work on those initiatives, but also bring new ideas and issues to the committee.

On Wednesday, 33 people participated in a Safe Routes to School workshop at Town Hall led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Participants included Davidson Walks members, transportation officials, health-care professionals, town staff and representatives from Davidson Elementary School, including Principal Celeste Ellis.

“It was very good, people were very motivated,” said town spokeswoman Sara-Lynne Levine, who is coordinating town efforts to improve walking and biking safety and is the staff liaison to Davidson Walks.

The workshop provided “good feedback,” and participants are already fanning out to work on a variety of initiatives, including those the Davidson Walks committee has identified, Ms. Levine said.

MORE ABOUT DAVIDSON WALKS

The town describes DavidsonWalks this way:

“DavidsonWalks will encourage collaboration between public safety officials, neighborhood organizations and school officials in devising safe routes to school. It will provide support and resources to neighborhood organizations to assist in developing programs like walking school buses and organize events like walk to school days.”

The group plans to continue its work this summer and fall. New initiatives may include monthly walk-to-school days as part of Davidson Elementary School’s “Tigers on the Prowl” fitness program.

To volunteer, or inquire about the group, contact Ms. Levine at 704-940-9602 or slevine@ci.davidson.nc.us.

Filed under: Public safety, Schools