Earth Day event, Safe Routes to School & Garfield Trail Summit

Sat, Apr  21, 2007 - By Missy Luyk - TART

Hello Friends of TART,

I wanted to make you aware of some great activities happening in our community that are related to biking and walking.

First, TART is hosting our annual Earth Day work bees on the trails in 3 locations on the TART, Boardman Lake and Leelanau Trails. Celebrate the earth by volunteering on Saturday, April 21, 2007, from 9:00 am – noon, to clean and beautify the trails. Work bees to take place rain or shine. For complete event information, visit http://www.traversetrails.org/  

Second, TC West Junior High has recently begun a Safe Routes to School (SR2S) initiative. SR2S is a national and international movement to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk or bike to school. TC WJH has been selected as a pilot middle school/junior high recognized by the State of Michigan's Safe Routes to School program. Funding is available for programs and infrastructure improvements through a federal transportation grant with approximately $16 million available in Michigan.

How can you get involved? A school property assessment will be held on April 24, 2007 and is open to the public. The property assessment is a way for parents and community members to see what students experience as they traverse the school grounds on a daily basis. Observations will include the arrival and dismissal process. Meet at the WJH cafeteria for the following sessions: Morning session: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (observation only); Afternoon session: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (observation and discussion). Please RSVP your plans to attend by calling the school at 933-8260 or www.safe-routes.com

Third, the Garfield Township Planning Commission invites you to participate in a Public Non-motorized Transportation/Recreation Trails and Other Ways Summit April 27 and 28, 2007. Andy Clark, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, will kickoff this public brainstorming event with a keynote address Friday evening April 27 at 7:00 P.M. at the Garfield Township Hall, 3848 Veterans Dr., Traverse City.  Mr. Clark, prior to becoming the Executive Director, was the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director leading efforts to create, interpret and implement various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking.

The Saturday Session on April 28, will begin at 8:00 A.M. and conclude by 3:00 P.M. The morning will include a review of the Township’s current Non-motorized Facility Plan, various State and local programs which promote active communities and safe routes to school, and the roles of local agencies such as the Grand Traverse Road Commission and TART. This review will feature Risa Wilkerson from the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Health, among other experts.

Hope you can make it to these great events that will make our community a better place to live, work and play.

Very truly yours,
Missy
Missy Luyk, Trail Program Specialist
TART Trails, Inc.
231.941.4300
traversetrails.org