Partnerships
Increase your ability to make improvements in walking and biking to school by joining with other individuals and groups that have similar interests.
- Find out who in the state and local public health department is doing work to promote physical activity and decrease obesity among children.
- Look at our Who’s Walking section for resource people in your state.
- Contact the city or town planner to see what work they are doing to promote walking and bicycling.
- For detailed information on different steps of community mobilization and working with groups, explore the Community Tool Box.
- Remember to involve local law enforcement in the activities.
- Ask the mayor to sign an Official Proclamation for International Walk to School.
- Have community leaders greet and congratulate kids as they arrive at school.
- Have older elementary students use the walkability checklist and present the results to the city council.
Putting it into Practice
Park Hill School of International Studies in Denver Colorado partnered with multiple organizations to turn their Walk to School event into a year-long program. With the assistance of a Centers for Disease Control grant, "Walking Wednesdays" bumper stickers are being designed to promote a city-wide attitude of "Slow Down," "Reduce Stress in the Middle of Week," "Spend Time with Community," and "Take Time to be Healthy."
The school area crosses three city council districts and three major traffic routes so crossing guards and yard signs are helping spread the word about the need for safe walking environments. The AARP, the T'ai Chi Project and representatives from the City Council are working with Denver Public Schools and local law enforcement to improve a deteriorating pedestrian safety situation.
