MIRAMAR, Florida – Last week, City of Miramar Commissioner Yvette Colbourne joined the students and staff of Annabel C. Perry Pre-K8 as they participated in National Walk to School Day and Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), “Let’s Go walking To School Day. Over 100 students and parents formed a walking school bus and travelled two blocks to the school entrance.
In preparation for the Walk to School event, students from Annabel C. Perry, City of Miramar staff, Commissioner Colbourne, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Broward School Board representative, Patty Good and volunteers installed 6 locations with temporary painted crosswalks, curb extensions, mural intersection, and logos as a part of Implemented Tactical Urbanism which demonstrates how to improve street safety and engage the community through innovative street design.
The day promotes the Broward Complete Streets initiative, which encourages walking and pedestrian safety for families in the community, and reinforces healthy habits such as walking to school. It also increases awareness for the need for safe infrastructure and safe behavior. The event was also about connecting municipal governments with the communities they serve and local schools.
City Commissioner Yvette Colbourne remarked, “The safety of our students is very important. By temporary highlighting the crosswalks we remind drivers that they are sharing the roadways with pedestrians. We also want to make it more exciting and a safer environment for our students who are walking to school.” “I’d like to thank everyone who worked on the event and to all attendees, I am elated by the turnout and the enthusiasm of all participants. The kids are excited, and they want to do it again next year.”
The City of Miramar and Annabel C. Perry Pre-K8 applied and was awarded a U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Grant in the amount of $1,053,044.89 for sidewalk improvements surrounding the school. This is a 5-year program that will improve the infrastructure for students and pedestrians.
