Karen asked me to pass this along to all PHCers! This might be of interest in terms of a safe, walkable Route 7.
To all interested parties:
You are invited, on behalf of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA) and the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO), to attend a public information meeting for the Route 7 Transportation and Land Use Study:
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Farmingville Elementary School
324 Farmingville Road
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Open House Format from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
View the draft plan at www.route7study.org.
If you cannot attend the meeting, feel free to provide your input on-line.
The study team has been working for a year to develop a broad transportation and land use plan for the area with the goal of looking ahead to the year 2030 to improve and interconnect the various components of the transportation system: the roadway, commuter rail, bus travel, walking, and biking. The study team has also evaluated how land is currently used in the corridor and how it could be used in the future to work with the transportation system serving it.
The study focus is on Route 7 within Danbury, Ridgefield, Redding, and Wilton. The study has not evaluated the need for an expressway from Danbury to Norwalk, but has instead investigated ways to maximize the efficiency and safety of all modes of the existing transportation system.
This public information meeting is being held to present elements of the draft plan for public comment.
Area residents, land owners, business owners, commuters and all interested parties are encouraged to attend this public meeting. Also, feel free to invite any other interested people that you may know to come to this meeting by passing along the attached flyer.
If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to contact the SWRPA Study Project Manager, Craig Lader at lader@swrpa.org or 203-316-5190.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Route 7 Management Study Underway
As PHCers, we're all interested in work that will go on along Route 7 that might make it more or less "non-car" friendly! So, with that in mind, I'm making you all aware of the following meeting:
Come join the dialogue about driveways and access on Route 7 in Wilton!
Community Open House
When: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Time: 1:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Wilton Library (Brubeck Room) 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
As part of the broader Route 7 Corridor Study, the South Western Regional Planning Agency is studying driveways and other access points along Route 7 in Wilton in an effort to improve safety, traffic flow and access to businesses and homes. Known as "Access Management", this type of plan aims to improve how driveways interface with Route 7. We’d like your input and participation in this process as we create a Curb-Cut and Access Management Plan for this heavily-traveled roadway.
Please come by, stay as long as you like, and provide your input as we work on drafting preliminary curb-cut plan concepts. Check the schedule for the day and try to attend during the discussion of the segment that interests you the most. Or attend the end of the workshop at 6:30 PM for an overview of the project and a discussion of the findings so far and the next steps in the process.
For more information, please visit www.route7study.org.
Now get moving!
Come join the dialogue about driveways and access on Route 7 in Wilton!
Community Open House
When: Wednesday, Oct. 27
Time: 1:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Wilton Library (Brubeck Room) 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
As part of the broader Route 7 Corridor Study, the South Western Regional Planning Agency is studying driveways and other access points along Route 7 in Wilton in an effort to improve safety, traffic flow and access to businesses and homes. Known as "Access Management", this type of plan aims to improve how driveways interface with Route 7. We’d like your input and participation in this process as we create a Curb-Cut and Access Management Plan for this heavily-traveled roadway.
Please come by, stay as long as you like, and provide your input as we work on drafting preliminary curb-cut plan concepts. Check the schedule for the day and try to attend during the discussion of the segment that interests you the most. Or attend the end of the workshop at 6:30 PM for an overview of the project and a discussion of the findings so far and the next steps in the process.
For more information, please visit www.route7study.org.
Now get moving!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Safe Routes to School Contest to begin 10/6
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) announced Thursday that its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program's second "Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut!" contest will be launched on International Walk to School Day, to be observed Wednesday, Oct. 6.
The news release continues:
Elementary and middle school classrooms across the state will compete to log the most miles walked and/or biked to and from school.
The Walk It Bike It to School contest was developed to promote a healthier lifestyle, while encouraging schools and communities to establish safe and convenient biking and walking routes. The contest challenges students to walk or bike to school, logging their mileage online as a classroom. Teachers or other school faculty can register their classes online and track their progress at www.walkitbikeitct.org. All Connecticut public and private schools with grades K-8 classrooms are invited to compete in this contest.
Elementary and middle schools are also encouraged to apply for free SRTS non-infrastructure program assistance to support walking and biking initiatives for their students. Schools can apply online with a choice from a list of offerings, including SRTS plan development, walk audits and bicycle rodeos. For more information, visit www.walkitbikeitct.org.
This year, for the first time, SRTS invites the public to pledge to walk or bike to school. The "Walk It Bike It" pledge will be available at www.walkitbikeitct.org and at select partner locations, including Hartford Marathon Foundation events, Fleet Feet Sports and Whole Foods Markets. Students can sign the pledge individually, allowing them to personally commit to walking and biking to school.
Last year, participating students from 17 Connecticut classrooms logged nearly 11,000 miles. Students walked and biked to school, formed walking school buses within their communities and looked for alternative ways to continue a healthy lifestyle.
"We are looking forward to launching the second annual Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut! Contest to encourage more students and families to make healthy choices in their lives while promoting safe walking and biking in Connecticut." says , Connecticut's Safe Routes to School coordinator Sharon Okoye.
Midway through the school year, the first class that walks and bikes the distance of the perimeter of Connecticut, 375 miles, will be recognized.
On May 19, 2011, all participating schools will be invited to attend the celebratory "Walk the Capitol Steps" ceremony at the State Capitol to recognize the three student groups that walked and biked the farthest distance.
Registration and a list of rules and regulations are available at www.walkitbikeitct.org .
What is Safe Routes to School?
The SRTS Program was established in August 2005 as part of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The objective of this federally funded initiative is to encourage more students in grades K-8 to walk and bike to school, as opposed to using other transportation alternatives; thereby encouraging a healthier lifestyle. General program information is available on the Connecticut SRTS website: www.ctsaferoutes.org. Questions can be forwarded to the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Okoye, via e-mail at sharon.okoye@ct.gov.
The news release continues:
Elementary and middle school classrooms across the state will compete to log the most miles walked and/or biked to and from school.
The Walk It Bike It to School contest was developed to promote a healthier lifestyle, while encouraging schools and communities to establish safe and convenient biking and walking routes. The contest challenges students to walk or bike to school, logging their mileage online as a classroom. Teachers or other school faculty can register their classes online and track their progress at www.walkitbikeitct.org. All Connecticut public and private schools with grades K-8 classrooms are invited to compete in this contest.
Elementary and middle schools are also encouraged to apply for free SRTS non-infrastructure program assistance to support walking and biking initiatives for their students. Schools can apply online with a choice from a list of offerings, including SRTS plan development, walk audits and bicycle rodeos. For more information, visit www.walkitbikeitct.org.
This year, for the first time, SRTS invites the public to pledge to walk or bike to school. The "Walk It Bike It" pledge will be available at www.walkitbikeitct.org and at select partner locations, including Hartford Marathon Foundation events, Fleet Feet Sports and Whole Foods Markets. Students can sign the pledge individually, allowing them to personally commit to walking and biking to school.
Last year, participating students from 17 Connecticut classrooms logged nearly 11,000 miles. Students walked and biked to school, formed walking school buses within their communities and looked for alternative ways to continue a healthy lifestyle.
"We are looking forward to launching the second annual Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut! Contest to encourage more students and families to make healthy choices in their lives while promoting safe walking and biking in Connecticut." says , Connecticut's Safe Routes to School coordinator Sharon Okoye.
Midway through the school year, the first class that walks and bikes the distance of the perimeter of Connecticut, 375 miles, will be recognized.
On May 19, 2011, all participating schools will be invited to attend the celebratory "Walk the Capitol Steps" ceremony at the State Capitol to recognize the three student groups that walked and biked the farthest distance.
Registration and a list of rules and regulations are available at www.walkitbikeitct.org .
What is Safe Routes to School?
The SRTS Program was established in August 2005 as part of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The objective of this federally funded initiative is to encourage more students in grades K-8 to walk and bike to school, as opposed to using other transportation alternatives; thereby encouraging a healthier lifestyle. General program information is available on the Connecticut SRTS website: www.ctsaferoutes.org. Questions can be forwarded to the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Okoye, via e-mail at sharon.okoye@ct.gov.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
International Walk to School Day!
Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 6!
International Walk to School Day and Month began as an idea
In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago, modeled after the United Kingdom’s lead. Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.
It evolved into a movement
By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking grew just as quickly as the event itself.
Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.
Now it’s a priority
In 2005, new legislation recognized the value of Safe Routes to School programs and is providing funding for States to establish programs. Politicians and other government officials are paying attention to the importance of safe walking and biking to school. Obesity, concern for the environment and the effects of urban sprawl on communities has led to the joining of efforts among those that care about these and other related issues like school siting and traffic congestion.
Communities are using the walk or bike to school as the first step to change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and biking to school:
To enhance the health of kids Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
To improve air quality and the environment Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
To create safer routes for walking and bicycling Sidewalks, education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve conditions.
This type of event would clearly fit into our goals with the PHC childhood obesity grant - I know October 6th is only 2 weeks away but does anyone want to spearhead this? Maybe it could be as simple as dropping the kids at the end of the school driveway and having them walk up to the school on that day for this year? There are 10 communities in CT participating already - can we be number 11?
E-mail Karen or me and let us know if you're interested in taking the Walk to School challenge on!
For more info or program ideas: http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm
International Walk to School Day and Month began as an idea
In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago, modeled after the United Kingdom’s lead. Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.
It evolved into a movement
By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking grew just as quickly as the event itself.
Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.
Now it’s a priority
In 2005, new legislation recognized the value of Safe Routes to School programs and is providing funding for States to establish programs. Politicians and other government officials are paying attention to the importance of safe walking and biking to school. Obesity, concern for the environment and the effects of urban sprawl on communities has led to the joining of efforts among those that care about these and other related issues like school siting and traffic congestion.
Communities are using the walk or bike to school as the first step to change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and biking to school:
To enhance the health of kids Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
To improve air quality and the environment Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
To create safer routes for walking and bicycling Sidewalks, education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve conditions.
This type of event would clearly fit into our goals with the PHC childhood obesity grant - I know October 6th is only 2 weeks away but does anyone want to spearhead this? Maybe it could be as simple as dropping the kids at the end of the school driveway and having them walk up to the school on that day for this year? There are 10 communities in CT participating already - can we be number 11?
E-mail Karen or me and let us know if you're interested in taking the Walk to School challenge on!
For more info or program ideas: http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm
Friday, August 20, 2010
Celebrate a healthy Wilton update
Hi gang:
Can't believe it's almost the end of August - our kickoff campaign for the childhood obesity grant is right around the corner. I wanted to send along the agenda for this Monday's meeting at 12 noon at Comstock - hope you can make it! Remember, come in the front door and check the whiteboard for what room we'll be in on Monday.
PHC Team Meeting
Agenda
August 23, 2010
12 noon
Comstock Community Center
I. Food for Thought
Only 21 percent of young people eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
II. Update on kiosk projects – Wilton Center and Merwin Meadows
III. Update on Pedestrian Zone Map – Mike Conklin
IV. Update on banners – installation expected w/o 9/7
V. Update on bike racks – one to be installed at Gazebo before 9/11
VI. Update on agenda and activities for 9/11 Celebrate Wilton
a. Bicycle/pedestrian parade from Allen’s Meadows
b. Proclamation of Healthy Wilton at gazebo
c. Passport to fitness campaign
d. Fitness demonstrations
e. Bicycle safety demonstration
f. Healthy menu options – local eating establishments
VII. Physical Activity/Infrastructure Committee – Colleen
a. Bike racks and bikes – where, how get them, etc
b. Fitnessgram
c. Kiosks
d. Wellness Wednesday’s/Fitness Fridays
e. Community gardens/Farmer’s market
VIII. Healthy Eating – Carol
a. Order marketing signage for Farmer’s Markets
b. Healthy Foods Tour of VM – local high school student may be able to produce
c. Did you know facts – Supermarkets
d. Promote farm stands, farm markets and eating fresh/local
e. Healthy cooking programs with Continuing Ed and WLA
f. Calorie counts or healthy menu options at restaurants
IX. Long-term/Policy – Lisa
a. Kiosks (with infrastructure)
b. Marker signs on paths and sidewalks
c. Wellness park – south of tennis courts
d. River trail/greenway
e. Complete Streets – or Wilton’s version of a complete street!
Can't believe it's almost the end of August - our kickoff campaign for the childhood obesity grant is right around the corner. I wanted to send along the agenda for this Monday's meeting at 12 noon at Comstock - hope you can make it! Remember, come in the front door and check the whiteboard for what room we'll be in on Monday.
PHC Team Meeting
Agenda
August 23, 2010
12 noon
Comstock Community Center
I. Food for Thought
Only 21 percent of young people eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
II. Update on kiosk projects – Wilton Center and Merwin Meadows
III. Update on Pedestrian Zone Map – Mike Conklin
IV. Update on banners – installation expected w/o 9/7
V. Update on bike racks – one to be installed at Gazebo before 9/11
VI. Update on agenda and activities for 9/11 Celebrate Wilton
a. Bicycle/pedestrian parade from Allen’s Meadows
b. Proclamation of Healthy Wilton at gazebo
c. Passport to fitness campaign
d. Fitness demonstrations
e. Bicycle safety demonstration
f. Healthy menu options – local eating establishments
VII. Physical Activity/Infrastructure Committee – Colleen
a. Bike racks and bikes – where, how get them, etc
b. Fitnessgram
c. Kiosks
d. Wellness Wednesday’s/Fitness Fridays
e. Community gardens/Farmer’s market
VIII. Healthy Eating – Carol
a. Order marketing signage for Farmer’s Markets
b. Healthy Foods Tour of VM – local high school student may be able to produce
c. Did you know facts – Supermarkets
d. Promote farm stands, farm markets and eating fresh/local
e. Healthy cooking programs with Continuing Ed and WLA
f. Calorie counts or healthy menu options at restaurants
IX. Long-term/Policy – Lisa
a. Kiosks (with infrastructure)
b. Marker signs on paths and sidewalks
c. Wellness park – south of tennis courts
d. River trail/greenway
e. Complete Streets – or Wilton’s version of a complete street!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Is the obesity grant hurting the no-smoking campaign?
I was reading an article in the New York Times recently about how tobacco funds are being taken to fight childhood obesity. It's sad that we have to choose between discouraging smoking and encouraging healthy activities - frankly, they probably should go hand in hand. Healthy living is not just eating right and exercising - it's also not drinking to excess, not smoking and not doing drugs. I'm attaching the link to the article so you can read it if you're interested. But here's the opening paragraph in case, like me, you're really just a headline skimmer!
"When the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation decided in 1991 to take on Joe Camel, it became the nation’s largest private funding source for fighting smoking. The foundation spent $700 million to help knock the cartoon character out of advertisements, finance research and advocacy for higher cigarette taxes and smoke-free air laws and, ultimately, to aid in reducing the nation’s smoking rate almost by half.
But a few years ago, the Johnson foundation, based in Princeton, N.J., added another target to its mission, pledging to spend $500 million in five years to battle childhood obesity. As the antiobesity financing rose to $58 million last year, a new compilation from the foundation shows, the organization’s antismoking grants fell to $4 million."
Here's the link if you'd like to read more! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/health/policy/28obesity.html?_r=1&hp
Go take a hike!
"When the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation decided in 1991 to take on Joe Camel, it became the nation’s largest private funding source for fighting smoking. The foundation spent $700 million to help knock the cartoon character out of advertisements, finance research and advocacy for higher cigarette taxes and smoke-free air laws and, ultimately, to aid in reducing the nation’s smoking rate almost by half.
But a few years ago, the Johnson foundation, based in Princeton, N.J., added another target to its mission, pledging to spend $500 million in five years to battle childhood obesity. As the antiobesity financing rose to $58 million last year, a new compilation from the foundation shows, the organization’s antismoking grants fell to $4 million."
Here's the link if you'd like to read more! http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/health/policy/28obesity.html?_r=1&hp
Go take a hike!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Fun family exercise
Looking for a fun family exercise for this weekend - check this out: http://www.bikenewyork.org/rides/hvrr/routes.html
There's a variety of bke rides from 20 miles to 100 miles very close to Wilton! Here's what the tour group says about these rides:
For the seventh annual edition of this ride in 2010, we have new routes. You'll still find incredible scenery and quiet roads, and now you'll explore areas not covered in previous years. Check out our comparison chart to see how this ride compares to other Bike New York events in terms of hilliness, and see the Tour Director notes below for more details.
Note About Young Riders: We welcome the participation of families and ask that those with younger cyclists choose either the 20- or 30-mile route. Cyclists 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and everyone under 18 years old must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Sounds fun - check it out!
There's a variety of bke rides from 20 miles to 100 miles very close to Wilton! Here's what the tour group says about these rides:
For the seventh annual edition of this ride in 2010, we have new routes. You'll still find incredible scenery and quiet roads, and now you'll explore areas not covered in previous years. Check out our comparison chart to see how this ride compares to other Bike New York events in terms of hilliness, and see the Tour Director notes below for more details.
Note About Young Riders: We welcome the participation of families and ask that those with younger cyclists choose either the 20- or 30-mile route. Cyclists 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and everyone under 18 years old must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Sounds fun - check it out!
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