Five years ago after garnering the support from the school district, local government, and school board members, a concerned parent launched a campaign to bring attention to the need for sidewalks and safe routes to school. The school-district-wide Walk to School Day in October 2000 served as the catalyst that paved the way for changing both the village landscape and physical activity patterns of neighborhood children and residents. Kids experienced the freedom of walking to school, while officials with decision making authority to fund "complete streets" witnessed the poor street conditions first hand.
In October 2002, Hinsdale approved a new $1.2 million sidewalk policy that will complete the missing links for their "complete streets" initiative. Hinsdale now spends $100,000 to $200,000 constructing between one-half to one-mile of new sidewalk each year. By 2005, the Village of Hinsdale had received 2.5 miles of new sidewalks, with seven additional miles slated for construction throughout the Village and surrounding areas.
Schools are now taking a proactive approach to promoting physical activity among students. Many local schools are finding ways to incorporate walking into the school curriculum. Some teachers are having students walk at recess, calculating their mileage and learning about the benefits of exercise and healthy eating in class.
Goal
Increase sidewalks for Safe Routes to School