Can We Promote Safe Routes Programs in Jupiter?
By: Derek Tingle
Sociology Major
Healthier Jupiter Fall 2022 Intern
One of Healthier Jupiter’s student interns worked over Fall 2022 to identify potential program solutions to some of the gaps in services that were brought to light through an analysis of Healthier Jupiter’s data around walking and biking. You can access that full report here. The two identified programs included: Safe Routes to Parks and Safe Routes to School. Read more about the proposed programs recommendations below and reach out to brainstorm how we can implement such projects into the Jupiter community.
Safe Routes to Parks
SafeRoutes to Parks is a program that provides in-depth technical assistance as well as grant funding to multiple communities that work to improve safe, secure park access for individuals of all ages and abilities in particularly low-income communities as well as communities of color. It is very often that these communities have experienced historical disinvestment, high levels of traffic incidents, crime and public safety challenges, and high rates of weight-related chronic disease have the least safe access to public parks. With a long term goal in mind, Safe Routes to Parks seeks to increase park usage and improve health for people of all ages, races, abilities, and income levels. To provide a more accurate description of what these routes would look like, they are classified as ten minute walks or bike rides that are:
Accessible via multiple modes of transportation
Conveniently located within approximately one half mile from where people live
Safe from traffic and personal danger
Comfortable and appealing places to walk and bicycle
End at parks that are well-maintained and programmed
Regarding ways on which this program could be implemented into Healthier Jupiter, one of the possible ways is through fundraising. To supplement the aforementioned ideal routes to parks, the money earned from various fundraising activities can be used to facilitate these infrastructural improvements. Through advocacy, the money earned from small-scale one time events such as hosting a raffle can be put towards small improvements such as replacing street signs, repainting or enhancing crosswalks, or removing sidewalk obstructions to name a few. With continued effort, these implementations can be put on a larger scale for both programming as well as personal safety with the intention of eventually establishing new policies for these areas. These fundraising activities can be acted upon by anyone currently involved in Healthier Jupiter of those in the surrounding area. Neighborhoods, local businesses, planning and zoning…
Safe Routes to Schools
SafeRoutes to School is a program that emphasizes the importance of being able to walk and bike safely. In facilitating an environment where these accommodations are acted upon, the welfare of the communities affected would be greatly enhanced. SafeRoutes to School utilizes research based evidence to support the effectiveness of these principles. In conjunction with The National Center for Safe Routes to School, initiatives such as the Walk to School Day are held every October as well as Bike to School Day every May. These events garner a large number of participants and greatly encourage families to celebrate the benefits of biking and walking in their community. Aside from promoting community engagement, these events have a high tendency to enact changes to policies as well as to the physical environment such as education, engineering, enforcement, and encouragement. These changes to the physical environment can be utilized by “Transportation, public health and planning professionals, school communities, law enforcement officers, community groups, and families”.
One way in which this program could be implemented as a part of Healthier Jupiter is by bringing the right people together. By identifying groups of individuals of varying expertise who are passionate about facilitating safe walking and biking, for children, many issues can be tackled. Following this, one could ask for voluntary participation by holding a kick-off meeting. By identifying ideal implementations rather than fixing the negative, more appropriate steps can be taken. Furthermore, it is important to collect relevant information regarding walking and biking conditions and compare them to children who actually walk and bike to school. Potentially, SRTS could address some of these underlying issues. Once an ideal plan is funded, whether it be a small project such as repainting sidewalks or more large scale projects that require additional funding, evaluating its overall effectiveness is the next step in making a noticeable impression.
About the Student Intern: My name is Derek Tingle and I am currently a senior Sociology major with a specialization in Non-profit and Community Development with a minor in Anthropology at The College of New Jersey."