In November 2020, the City of Cove was awarded Safe Routes to School planning assistance from the Oregon Department of Transportation. Through this program the City of Cove, Union County, and ODOT Region 5 are working together to create a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan that identifies street improvements near Cove School to support students and families in getting to school safely. The SRTS Plan will also recommend opportunities for education and engagement to promote walking and biking to school. Planners from Alta Planning + Design, an active transportation consulting firm, are guiding the planning process.
During Spring 2021, the project team collaborated remotely to get feedback from the community using virtual methods and to identify and prioritize safety needs within a mile of the schools. On November 2nd, the team will also host an in-person walk audit to observe student dismissal and meet with school community members. The team and community members will document the walking and biking conditions around the school area to inform planning recommendations. Masks will be required per state health guidance. Meet at 3pm in front of the high school.
After the walk audit, the team will continue to identify SRTS construction, education, and engagement recommendations and complete the final SRTS Plan.
The City of Cove and Cove School asks families to share feedback and experiences getting to school using this interactive online map: http://odotsrtsprojectid.com. By sharing your feedback, you’ll be entered to win a walking or rolling safety pack ($50 value).
For additional information, please contact:
Earl Pettit, Superintendent, Cove School District
(541) 568-4424
earl.pettit@covesd.org
And visit: www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Programs/Pages/SRTS.aspx