Markham school first to pilot School Streets community safety program

EducationNewsCanada.com
May 17, 2022

The City of Markham, together with York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and the Regional Municipality of York, have launched School Streets, a new pilot community safety program, at John McCrae Public School.

The Markham School Streets Pilot launched on May 4 at John McCrae Public School and runs for the first four consecutive Wednesdays in May. Through this pilot, Stricker Avenue, the road in front of the school, will be temporarily closed with limited access during peak school drop-off and pick-up times. The goal of this pilot is to create car-free zone that facilitates a safer environment for active school travel by restricting traffic during these peak times.

"This important initiative exemplifies the City of Markham, York Region District School Board and the Regional Municipality of York's steadfast commitment to creating safer school zones and communities for walking and cycling," says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "I am very proud that the City of Markham is the first in York Region to test this safety program that promotes active lifestyles and creates safer streets for our students. I am extremely grateful to the parent volunteers who dedicated their time to make programs like these possible."

The Markham School Streets Pilot is an extension of the current Active School Travel Pilot Program. This initiative also serves as an opportunity to better understand the impacts of promoting walking or cycling to/from school in a suburban environment.

Designated closure times for Stricker Avenue in front of John McCrae Public School are from 8:15 to 9:15 AM and 3 to 4 PM every Wednesday in May.

"The School Streets Pilot is part of our ongoing work to support students and families in choosing active travel to school," said Allan Tam, Board Chair, York Region District School Board. "Walking or biking to school benefits student health and well-being, learning, social connections and more. We are grateful to have this opportunity to work in partnership with the City of Markham and the Region of York to create safer streets and encourage our students and families to adopt healthy and active lifestyles."

Learn more at markham.ca/SchoolStreets.