Education
La Crosse proposes updates to Safe Routes to School Plan, seeks feedback
Looking ahead to when students will be physically back in classrooms, the City of La Crosse released a draft of its Safe Routes to School plan that was first implemented in 2007.
Jack Zabrowski, Associate Planner, said the city needs direction moving forward as they begin thinking for the 20-year planning horizon.
“Every kid should be able to walk and feel safe going to school,” Zabrowski said. “This not anyone at the city’s plan, or even at the school district. It is the community’s plan.”
The plan has two main goals. The first is to recommend changes to policies and programs to make it safer and more appealing for La Crosse students to walk and bicycle to school. The second recommends new infrastructure projects the City can undertake to improve traffic safety around schools. The draft encourages high visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, and more. Bike lanes and paths, and signage for drivers.
Linda Lee, Chair of the City of La Crosse Safe Routes to School Steering Committee, said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of bicycle and pedestrian networks for providing recreation and exercise opportunities when gyms and playgrounds are closed.
The plan as well as a survey to provide feedback can be found online. The survey ends June 15.
