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Sidewalk routes spell safety for students
Photo by Regan Hill
Nils (left) and his brother Tom walk to Lake Norman Elementary on a new sidewalk built for safety.
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Published: September 14, 2009
With more than half of its students living within a mile radius of Lake Norman Elementary and more than 80 percent walking or riding their bikes to school, ensuring they safe routes is an imperative for school officials.
The school, located on Oak Tree Road in Mooresville, was one of 13 in the state to receive a Safe Routes to School grant.
The $138,554 grant, which was awarded by N.C. Department of Transportation, will be used to construct a sidewalk along Oak Tree Road extending to Brawley School Road.
"We're really excited about the grant," Principal Boen Nutting said. "We are excited about providing safe routes for them."
Most of the students live in subdivisions adjacent to the school, so making their travel route to and from school as safe as possible is a priority.
Building the sidewalk will cost more than the funds given by NCDOT. Those funds will be added to contributions from the Town of Mooresville, Iredell-Statesville Schools and the community.
The grant application was a collaborative effort between I-SS, the Town of Mooresville, Iredell County Planning, parents, and business owners.
The total project will cost more than $155,000.
Along with the sidewalk the project will include signage.
The need for additional sidewalks surrounding the school is evident when looking at a bike rack in front of the school.
The grant process took three years.
The school has been preparing its students for several years. Two years ago, the school held a Walking and Wheeling event.
Prior to receiving the Safe Routes to School grant, the school pooled funds from another budget to match contributions from the community to build two sidewalks to connect three neighborhoods to the school, creating a safe route for students living in those subdivisions.
The town also built ramps and painted crosswalks for additional safety for students and parents.
The school runs 10 buses transporting students who live within a few miles of the school.
Nutting anticipates they will be able to decrease the number of buses on the road.
"(Walking and biking is) really cutting down on car riders and we're hoping it will cut down on bus riders," she said.
Nutting said walking or biking to school promotes healthy behavior, independence and responsibility.
Jennifer Johnson allows her son, Andrew, 9, to bike to school for those very reasons.
She was happy to hear the school received money to put in more sidewalks.
"It's an excellent idea because of the safety issues of kids walking," she said.
Regina Laicher's sons, Nils and Tom, also ride their bikes to school.
Tom, 9, said he prefers to ride his bike because "it's fast and good exercise."
He is all for more sidewalks.
"Using sidewalks is safer," he said.
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