[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.3.2″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”5px||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.onecarevt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Untitled-design1.png” alt=”Walkability: Two school aged siblings walking home from school. They are both wearing backpacks and sneakers walking along a sidewalk. The sun is lower in the sky.” title_text=”Walkability: Two school aged siblings walking home from school. They are both wearing backpacks and sneakers walking along a sidewalk. The sun is lower in the sky.” admin_label=”Cover Image” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ border_width_all=”5px” border_color_all=”#d8eb0f” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraphs 1-3″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ header_2_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-13px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Walkability is important all year around, but it is particularly timely now as students return to school. Walking to school is a great way for children to get the recommended 60-minutes of physical activity per day. This activity is an important step for ensuring children stay healthy. Unfortunately, the National Center for Safe Routes to School and the US Department of Transportation<\/a> show a steady decline in the number of students who walk to school since 1969.<\/p>\n This decline is mostly caused by the distance students must walk to get to schools and safety concerns about traffic. Small, local schools used to be the norm, but now schools are further from the centers of neighborhoods as districts have consolidated. Additionally, towns have shifted to prioritize cars while neglecting walking and biking infrastructure. This results in more traffic with fewer safe routes to school.<\/p>\n The good news is there are opportunities to reverse these trends in communities, and when walking infrastructure is improved for students and parents with strollers, the entire community benefits\u2014including the elderly and disabled population, and individuals without access to a vehicle.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.onecarevt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/RacksAtComptu-scaled.jpg” alt=”New bike racks are added alongside the sidewalk on the grass adjecent to Maine Streen in Springfield, VT” title_text=”Racks At Comptu. Horseshoe shaped bike racks are installed on the grass next to the sidewalk on the main street of Springfield VT” admin_label=”Center Image” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ border_width_all=”5px” border_color_all=”#d8eb0f” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Paragraph 4″ _builder_version=”4.10.6″ header_2_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-13px|||||” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This past spring, OneCare Vermont’s RiseVT program hosted national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, Mark Fenton<\/a>, for a two-part workshop to improve walkability in Vermont. Mark demonstrated how to conduct a virtual walk audit using the “photo voice” method. Our RiseVT program managers and their partner organizations collected photos of their communities, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful examples of walkability. The program managers brought their work back to the group to highlight successes and troubleshoot areas where walkability could be improved.<\/p>\n Mark Fenton emphasized that organizations can begin improving their communities immediately and affordably before investing in expensive infrastructure. Even simple one-time events such as a Walk-To-School Day<\/a> can increase the number of students walking to school for weeks after the initial event.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.onecarevt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3137-scaled.jpg” alt=”A new woodchip trail can be seen leading to some resting spots with picknic tables along the Black River in Springfield. The area is sorrounded by mature trees and shrubs and a nice spot for walkers using the trail” title_text=”Trail Additions at the Black River in Springfield” admin_label=”Center Image” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ border_width_all=”5px” border_color_all=”#d8eb0f” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Last Paragraph” _builder_version=”4.10.6″ header_2_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#4cb49f” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”-13px|||||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mark Fenton’s work has inspired many ongoing RiseVT projects. In particular, Springfield has improved walking and biking access around their community. The town has installed new bike racks downtown, built new crosswalks, and invested in local trail infrastructure.<\/p>\n Increasing walkability may seem challenging in a rural state like Vermont, but RiseVT has shown it is possible since the organization was started in Franklin and Grande Isle Counties. RiseVT increased walking and biking to school by consolidating bus stops so students get their steps in by walking to the bus. Our program managers have collaborated with Local Motion<\/a> and local fire and rescue departments to provide helmets for children. Organizations including the Bristol Trail Network<\/a>, Windsor Walks, and the Caledonia Trail Collaborative<\/a> have added and improved trails. All of these efforts expand access for bikers and walkers to improve health and wellness around the state.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#80bc00″ divider_weight=”7px” admin_label=”Green Line” _builder_version=”4.6.0″ custom_margin=”15px||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Public Affairs Boilerplate Contact 05\/18\/2020″ _builder_version=”4.9.3″ header_3_font=”|700|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#4cb49f” custom_margin=”-13px|||||” z_index_tablet=”500″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Please contact Public Affairs at OneCare Vermont. public@onecarevt.org<\/a> | 802-847-1346<\/p>\n To stay up to date on OneCare, please visit our news blog<\/a> and our social media channels on LinkedIn<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Walkability is important all year around, but it is particularly timely now as students return to school. Walking to school is a great way for children to get the recommended […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFor more information:<\/h3>\n