walk B Walk-to-school day is a hit with pupils and parents

It took ten months to secure the funding to build on a The next phase of WalkBoston’s comprehensive year-long successful pilot study and launch WalkBoston’s Safe SRS program is being funded by the Massachusetts o Routes to Schools program, but when funding arrived, Highway Department using Federal air quality funds. the program started with a bang. Additional Arlington elementary and middle schools will be included and WalkBoston will institute programs such The October 1999 pilot study in Arlington, MA, showed

as and bike safety training, proposing traffic s there was a high level of enthusiasm for a program that calming measures, and promoting sidewalk construction. promotes kids to school, improves their fitness, and reduces auto trips to schools. But it wasn’t until August of 2000 that project director Dorothea Hass learned t that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would fund the implementation of Safe Routes to

Schools (SRS) through the National Park Service. o LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Right after Labor Day, Dorothea and SRS Arlington coordi- nator Don Eunson contacted Dallin School principal Bob Walking in Cambridge is a fresh delight of Lynch, who knew the SRS program from the 1999 pilot wider sidewalks, planted neckdowns, new study. Typically 60-70% of Dallin students are driven to n bike lanes, and “walk” lights showing how school and Lynch is committed to getting more kids out of their parents’ cars, and walking to school. much time is left to cross. Brookline is making improvements to Beacon Street with “ped Coincidentally, October 4 this year was International advance,” on demand, and countdown sig- Walk-to-School Day. So the WalkBoston team planned a nals. While these changes are wonderful, high-profile kick-off event, rain-or-shine, with refreshments walking advocates should be reminded that A NON- PROFIT provided by an enthusiastic parent teacher organization; there was a similar revolution in Boston PEDESTRIAN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION a contest to reward the class with the most walkers; two decades ago. and, as the centerpiece of the event, a demonstration SPRING 2001 of the “walking school bus.” A walking school bus is The City created the Downtown Crossing where trained parent volunteers walk a scheduled with the removal of traffic from Washington, WALKBOSTON BOARD route, gathering students along the way, just as a Winter and Summer streets. The MBTA built Charles Bahne school bus would. However, instead of sitting in a bus Rebecca Barnes the Southwest Corridor Park from Back Bay James Barrows or car, these kids are walking and getting daily exercise. Station to Forest Hills. On Beacon Hill, the Betsy Boveroux City reversed Charles Street and part of Joy Dayl Cohen Jennifer Conley Street to thwart heavy commuter traffic. In Malcom Davis/secretary the Fenway, the City rerouted heavy traffic Catherine Donaher directly into Boylston Street and out of Nina Garfinkle Ann Hershfang/president Fenway parkland. Susan Kaplan Karla Karash South Boston streets were reversed to elimi- Bill Reyelt nate truck short cuts through neighborhoods. Erik Scheier/treasurer Jon Seward/vice president The sidewalk on Main Street in Charlestown Sharon Tramer took over a traffic lane. A South End neigh- borhood traffic calming effort narrowed WALKBOSTON COMMITTEES Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street, education/pr/publications reversed cross streets and Shawmut Avenue, Nina Garfinkle 617.424.9115 advocacy built curb extensions, and built the city’s Walking Bus Ann Hershfang 617.451.1570 only woonerf on Appleton Street. Successes legislative were due to advocacy, citizen professionals, Ted Hamann 617.576.0475 The modest goal for October 4 was one or two “buses” and progressive and imaginative transporta- fundraising of 12-18 students each. As the day approached, Rachael tion advisors to Boston Mayor Kevin White, Catherine Donaher 617.232.9051 Stark, the walking bus coordinator, reported that more himself a . programs and more parents were volunteering and walking buses Dayl Cohen 617.576.6433 were spinning off spontaneously. Today, active citizens in Boston are again safe routes to school Dorothea Hass 617.451.1570 demanding safer streets. Citizens are pushing Walk-to-School Day was a picture-perfect, New England membership autumn day with bright sun and crisp air. Children for traffic calming solutions as part of city Jennifer Conley 617.357.0720 and parents arrived from all directions on foot, both sponsored studies and separately, as in Hyde walks co-chairs individually and as part of five or six walking buses. Park. What’s important is getting out there Robert Sloane 617.277.5805 The Arlington Advocate reported that participants in and doing something. No need to be an expert. Martha Taub 508.358.4639 one walking bus arrived chanting “Dallin School! Just talk it up, follow up, and don’t give up. Walkers Rule!” And when all the kids were surveyed, Change takes time, but it is SATISFYING. WALKBOSTON NEWSLETTER 90% reported that they walked that day! editor Ann Hershfang Karla Karash design/production Nina Garfinkle

and advocacy. and

communities through education through communities

and preserve walkable, livable walkable, preserve and

ation. Our mission is to create to is mission Our ation.

for transportation and recre- and transportation for

WalkBoston promotes walking promotes WalkBoston

mission

www.walkboston.org

[email protected] [email protected]

F: 617.451-6475 617.451-6475 F:

T: 617.451-1570 617.451-1570 T:

Boston, MA 02109 02109 MA Boston,

156 Milk Street Milk 156

Boston walk

Ann Hershfang was appointed to calendar achievements the Enhancements Committee for member action the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (which recommends Peter Vanderwarker Board member Rebecca Barnes Too many news boxes on your enhancement projects to the state will speak at WalkBoston’s was chosen chief planner for the sidewalks? In Boston, call James for the 101 metro cities and towns). 11th Annual Meeting. Tuesday, Boston Redevelopment Authority. Cahill in Code Enforcement April 3, 5:30-8:00 PM at Hale and The Boston Globe cited the tough Betsy Johnson has succeeded (635-4896). A new city ordinance Dorr, 60 State Street. We will honor decisions before her—such as the Board Secretary Malcolm Davis as restricting the number and location individuals, groups, firms, or South Boston and East Boston Chair of the Prudential Project of newsboxes has removed lots of municipalities with the Golden waterfronts. Advisory Committee—it’s still in boxes from the Back Bay and Shoe Awards for outstanding con- good hands. Faneuil Hall areas. tributions to walking. Call 617/451- Jon Seward has been appointed to 1570 with your recommendations. the Independent Advisory Group Jack Wofford managed the South representing South Boston in nego- Boston Transportation Summit and ongoing projects Ben Hamilton-Baille, architect tiations over a Fort Point Channel helped bring the parties together. from England, will present on development. Traffic Calming at the April 4 WalkBoston has hired a new WalkBoston received a $5000 grant Boston Society of Civil Engineers Jim Purdy, Wallace, Floyd Executive Director, Lyn McLaughlin. from the Boston Society of luncheon. Registration at 11:30am, Associates, and Dorothea Hass, Architects to support development The MBTA has a new system map. luncheon at 12:o0pm. At the 57 WalkBoston, presented at a ses- of a of the original Designed by Ken Dumas, it is Restaurant, 200 Stuart Street. $30 sion on pedestrian access to transit Shawmut Peninsula for 4th, 5th and available free of charge at the State BSCE members, $35 non-members, at the Annual Meeting of the 6th graders. Transportation Building or by $20 public sector employees and Transportation Research Board in calling 222-5215. students. To register call James Washington DC. Downey of Fay, Spofford 781-221-1149. membershipapplication news items AmericaWalks

Complete this form & mail along with your check made payable to: Speed lanes for . A 3-day National Congress of WalkBoston, 156 Milk Street, Boston, MA 02109. London is considering dividing chic Pedestrian Advocates, will be held T: (617)451-1570 F: (617)451-6475 [email protected] | www.walkboston.org shopping Oxford Street, into two August 16-18, 2001 in Oakland CA. name(s) pedestrian lanes, with a fast lane The Congress will provide training, at a minimum of 3 mph speed. advocacy techniques, and mentor- address Marshals would patrol, empowered ing to existing and potential ped to fine slow walkers straying into groups. Scholarships available. the fast lane ten pounds ($22). Info: [email protected]. phone:daytime evening (Reuters 12/4/00) e-mail fax Music lovers take over Mass Ave. walktalk On Valentine’s Day, a fire alarm check one: ܙSTUDENT / SENIOR OVER 70 $10 ܙSUPPORTER $50 interrupted Bach’s B Minor Mass “We can, upright people that we ܙMEMBER $25 ܙFRIEND $100 at Symphony Hall, moving the are, discover the foot; we can save DUAL / CONTRIBUTOR $35 CORPORATE $250 | $500 | $1000 audience into the street, blocking a place to walk in, and an antelope, ܙ ܙ two travel lanes for a 1/2 hour. too.”– Obituary of David Brower, circle committees you are interested in. (to contact them directly - see front) leader of the Sierra Club and “Boulevard” plans funded membership advocacy education/pr/publications Friends of the Earth. ܙ ܙ ܙ in Hyde Park, Brighton, Huntington ܙlegislative ܙfundraising ܙprograms Ave., Cambridge St., and the plaza in front of Copley Square Library. Your donation is tax deductible as a charitable contribution. Construction is expected this year.