Eight
area schools took part on October 4 in International Walk To School Day,
an event organized by Greenest City, the founding organization of Active
and Safe Routes to School in Ontario. This is the second year such an
affair was put on by the group. Last year 14,500 people took part, but
this year it was expected that over 50,000 parents and children in about
200 schools across the province.
During
the walk the participants will be taking part in a ‘Walkability
Survey’
which will enable organizers to evaluate the safety of the area
around the school and the routes travelled by the students. The results
may be used by community leaders for planning and problem solving. The
survey, which is the only one being done in Canada this year, is a
project of Greenest City, York University and the Ontario Ministry of
the Environment.
‘Walk
to School Day” was developed to raise awareness about the benefits of
reducing car trips to drop children off at school, in turn reducing
carbon dioxide emissions and other air contaminants. In return parents
and children benefit from the physical activity, time spent together and
enhanced community safety.
St.
Anne School was the only school in Valley East taking part in the event.
Schools in this part of the region have a heavier percentage of children
taking buses than elsewhere, so organizing such an activity creates
safety concerns with respect to the children. The goals of Greenest City
are good and this type of event is expected to generate increased
awareness in the environment.
