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How Walk Audits can Help Improve School Neighborhoods <br />Walk Audits <br />Walk audits are an important part of <br />the Safe Routes to Schools <br />programs. If you've ever walked <br />around your school's neighborhood <br />you may have noticed problems such <br />as a lack of sidewalks, speeding <br />cars, insufficient lighting, presence of <br />crime or dogs and other barriers that <br />make biking or walking to school a <br />challenge. <br />Walk audits bring together parents, <br />school administration, engineers, <br />public works and others concerned <br />about the safety of the immediate <br />school environment, to walk around <br />the school, identify problem areas <br />and voice their concerns. All of these <br />people are key because of the <br />expertise they can offer as a <br />collective to quickly identify issues <br />and then prioritize them. <br />Lani, a parent and Safe Routes to <br />Schools Champion at Rosa Parks <br />Elementary in Berkeley shares her <br />walk audit experience. <br />Our walk audits have helped create <br />community at our school. At our <br />Rosa Parks walk audit we had <br />representatives from the city, parents <br />and teachers from the school, and a <br />city council member. It has shown <br />our school community another level <br />of activism in regards to Safe Routes <br />to Schools. Not <br />only are we <br />organizing school <br />events to <br />and rolling. There is more to it than <br />just asking parents to change their <br />routines and behaviors; we are also <br />involved in efforts to make the streets <br />safer. The big payoff is when the <br />walk audit can serve as a tool with <br />city planners in applying for grants <br />that will make our streets safer for <br />kids. The community was engaged <br />as part of the process, and we made <br />a difference. <br />encourage kids to <br />walk and roll to <br />school but we are <br />also trying to <br />remove the physical <br />barriers that might <br />prevent walking <br />May 15 Brunch to Thank Volunteers, Partners & Supporters <br />Volunteer Thank You Brunch <br />Safe Routes to Schools will host a <br />Volunteer Appreciation Brunch to <br />celebrate and honor our dedicated <br />volunteers, supporters and <br />partners! You and your family will <br />have the opportunity to meet other <br />Safe Routes to Schools supporters <br />and listen to inspiring speakers share <br />their Safe Routes to Schools success <br />stories. Complimentary brunch and <br />free childcare with children's activities <br />will be provided. <br />Please RSVP by Friday, April 30 to <br />Erika(c~transformca.orp or <br />510-740-3150, Ex. 326. Children and <br />families are welcome! If you will need <br />childcare, please indicate the number <br />of children and their ages. <br />Saturday, May 15, 2010 <br />10:30am -12:30pm <br />Ginn House -Preservation Park <br />660 13th St. Oakland, CA 94612 <br />