Elyria Safe Routes to School Taskforce Elyria Safe Travel Plan

Elyria Safe Routes to School Taskforce

Elyria Safe Travel Plan

Section 1 The Safe Routes to School Taskforce

The ESTP Taskforce is comprised of city officials from various departments, as well as the principals of the schools involved. The Taskforce was assembled in this manner so as to have professional direction but also close ties to both the schools involved and the community in general. All individuals share the same concerns and vision for increasing the amount of nonautomotive transportation within the city.

Ms. Angela Byington, Director of Community Development, City of Elyria Mr. Ed Stewart, Bicycle Advisory Committee Ms. Marilyn Hill, Lorain County Health Department Ms. Aretha Dixon, Principal, Oakwood Elementary School Ms. Miranda Roscoe, Principal, Franklin Elementary School Ms. Kim Conley, Principal, Franklin Elementary School Mr. Chip Hall, Principal, McKinley Elementary School Ms. Elaine Carlin, Principal, Roosevelt Elementary School Mr. Rich Nielson, Elyria City School District Mr. Frank Gustoff, Elyria Parks and Recreation Department

The primary contact person for the ESTP is: Angela Byington, AICP, Director, Community Development and Planning City of Elyria 131 Court St. Elyria, OH 44035 Phone: 440-326-1422 e-mail: abyington@

Section 2 Introduction

The Elyria Safe Travel Plan (ESTP) is a community-based initiative where city official's work with multiple elementary schools to create a plan designed to improve and ensure the safety of students to and from school.

The City of Elyria strives to provide a livable community with a high quality of life by providing bike paths, a river walk, and an extensive park system. The next desirable facet of community improvement would be the development of safe and appealing routes to school for elementary students. Furthermore, as a secondary and tertiary benefits of safer routes to school, increased walking will promote healthier and more active lifestyles, as well as the environmental benefits from reduced automobile traffic, such as reduced exhaust emissions and reduced traffic congestion.

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The ESTP Taskforce is committed to the development of an Elyria Safe Travel Improvement Plan. The Taskforce is also committed to ensuring all our students, including those with disabilities, can utilize walking and bicycling as a safe and enjoyable transportation alternative to and from school. The Taskforce has formed this plan by seeking community input and working with a diverse group of professionals and local individuals to identify obstacles along primary routes to school and to propose recommendations to improve safety. Additionally, the Taskforce sent out surveys to parents and neighborhood associations, and has aimed the studies to promote public and student safety education efforts regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety laws.

Section 3 Public Input Process

The taskforce has held 4 meetings at the schools participating in the program. It was felt that individual meetings would provide the best opportunity for residents and parents to voice their opinions and concerns, which may be totally unique to each neighborhood. In addition to the public's direct input, the taskforce has also:

Administered parent surveys Surveyed (windshield only) student arrival and departure methods. (Exhibit A ?

Summary of comprehensive survey)

Other existing data collected includes: Current Wellness Policy. (Exhibit B) Existing Education, Enforcement, or Encouragement programs. (Exhibit C) Conceptual bike and/or pedestrian plan. A complete plan will be adopted by the end of 2009. (Exhibit D)

Section 4 School Description

The ESTP addresses the needs and concerns of four schools located close to the central city in medium-density, older, suburban neighborhoods. The four schools are Franklin, McKinley, Oakwood, and Roosevelt Elementary schools. Although Roosevelt School is planned to be closed next school year, data on the school is included in this document. The school operating hours can be found in (Exhibit E); student population breakdowns are as follows:

Franklin: (446 W. 11th Street) 369 students

1- 48 Students (7 Special Education students) 2- 41 (7) 3- 40 (6) 4- 38 (4) 5- 30 (4) 6- 35 (10) K- 113 (9) Morning Preschool- 14 (5) Afternoon Preschool- 10 (4)

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McKinley: (620 E. River) 394 students

1- 87 (10) 2- 77 (14) 3- 74 (12) 4- 71 (29) 5- 85 (7) Oakwood: (925 Spruce Street) 293 students 1- 60 (14) 2- 44 (4) 3- 52 (6) 4- 52 (12) 5- 35 (2) 6- 50 (10) Roosevelt: (121 West River Road, South) 295 students 1- 77 (12) 2- 64 (19) 3- 48 (4) 4- 59 (13) 5- 47 (8) Elementary school Enrollment is 1,351 Elementary Special Education is 232

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Section 5 School Demographics

During the beginning of each school year we will request updated demographics from each school to evaluate changes and ensure the Safe Travel Plan is continuously focused in the right direction.

Franklin

Students

Student Ethnicity

Ethnicity Black White Multiracial Hispanic Unspecified

This School

State Average

45%

15%

32%

78%

18%

3%

4%

3%

1%

n/a

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? > Student Subgroups

Student Subgroups

This School

State

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Economically disadvantaged students Students with disabilities

This School 99% 16%

State Average 36%

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

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McKinley

Students

Student Ethnicity

Ethnicity White Multiracial Black Unspecified

This School

State Average

73%

78%

15%

3%

10%

15%

2%

n/a

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

How Important is Cultural Diversity at Your School? > Student Subgroups

Economically disadvantaged students Students with disabilities

This School 55% 16%

State Average 36%

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Oakwood

Students

Student Ethnicity

Ethnicity White Black Multiracial Hispanic Unspecified

This School

State Average

50%

78%

30%

15%

13%

3%

6%

3%

1%

n/a

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Economically disadvantaged students Students with disabilities

This School 72%

State Average 36%

Source: OH Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

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