New Paltz Safe Routes to School Action Plan
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The Action Plan was developed during the 2013-2014 school year, in conjunction with a School Working Group that included the Middle School principals, central school district transportation director, teachers, parents, the chief of police, youth director, Village Planner and trustee, School District superintendent, and members of the local bicycle and pedestrian committee. Existing conditions were evaluated and a set of infrastructure and program recommendations were developed to improve walking and bicycling to and from the Duzine Elementary School and New Paltz Middle School. The SRTS Action Plan is available below and the key recommendations are summarized here:
Priority Recommendations: |
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$ = Minimal to $500 Volunteer effort and low funding required
$$ = $500 to $10,000 Moderate amounts of funding required
$$$ = $10,000 + High amounts of funding required
Priority Recommendation # 1 - Identification of SRTS Facilitator & Initiation of Basic Bicycling and Walking Safety Education
Cost $
Groups: School Administration, Local Advisory Committee, and UCTC
Description: The school should identify a staff member or volunteer (possibly an interested parent) to facilitate the initiation of the Safe Routes to School Program for the school.
Priority Recommendation # 2 - Formation of Safe Routes to School Task Force & Program Promotion
Cost $
Groups: Safe Routes to School Facilitator and School Administration
Description: The facilitator should reach out to interested persons to begin the formation of an informal SRTS taskforce for the school. The taskforce should include members of the local advisory committee, the New Paltz bike/ped task force, parents, teachers, school administration and local residents.
Priority Recommendation # 3 - School Zone Signage and School Speed Limit
Cost $$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Facilitator, School Administration, Village of New Paltz, and NYS Department of Transportation
Description: The school, through the SRTS Taskforce, should work with the Village of New Paltz to seek written permission to install a school speed zone on the recommended roadway segments. After this approval is granted, high-visibility fluorescent yellow green signs designating the school zone and school zone speed should be installed. Police enforcement and temporary radar trailers can also be used to promote and enforce the new speed limit.
Priority Recommendation # 4 - International Walk and Bike to School Day Event
Cost $-$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and the New Paltz Police Department
Description: International Walk to School Day is held annually on the first Wednesday in October. This event can serve as a kick-off event to generate awareness and enthusiasm for a Safe Routes to School program. Events may include a special Walking School Bus lead by local politicians or school administrators, school assembly, and contest. Schools may find additional information and register for the event at www.walktoschool.org. Events such as these tend to attract increased attention and excitement that can be tapped to attract volunteers to maintain efforts year-round.
Priority Recommendation # 5 - Duzine Elementary School – Cooper Street Shared Use Path
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and the Town of New Paltz
Description: Construct the paved shared use path between the Duzine Elementary School and Cooper Street. This will provide a safer walking and bicycling route between the neighborhood and the school. High visibility crosswalks should be installed at key crossing points at the school at the same time.
Priority Recommendation # 6 - New Paltz Middle School Site Improvements
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, the Village of New Paltz, and NYS Department of Transportation
Description: Implement the proposed site improvements with the current redevelopment plan of the Middle School campus. This includes the site circulation improvements, new sidewalk connection to Main Street, and raised crosswalk.
Priority Recommendation # 7 - Priority Crosswalks and Sidewalk Gaps
Cost $$-$$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and Village of New Paltz
Description: Install crosswalks and complete sidewalk gaps at proposed locations immediately adjacent to the New Paltz Middle School along Center Street and John Street. Crosswalks that link existing sidewalks should be prioritized, with new crosswalks being installed with other proposed infrastructure, like new sidewalks and bike boulevards.
Priority Recommendation # 8 - Bike Racks
Cost $$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, and PTA
Description: Install bike racks at both the Duzine Elementary and New Paltz Middle School. The bike racks should be placed near the entrance to the school with good visibility for both awareness and security. If possible, these bike racks should be covered to protect bicycles from the elements.
Priority Recommendation # 9 - Manheim Boulevard Bicycle Accommodations
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and Village of New Paltz
Description: Install bike lanes on S. Manheim Blvd and shared lane markings on N. Manheim Blvd to provide an immediate bicycle connection to the school.
$$ = $500 to $10,000 Moderate amounts of funding required
$$$ = $10,000 + High amounts of funding required
Priority Recommendation # 1 - Identification of SRTS Facilitator & Initiation of Basic Bicycling and Walking Safety Education
Cost $
Groups: School Administration, Local Advisory Committee, and UCTC
Description: The school should identify a staff member or volunteer (possibly an interested parent) to facilitate the initiation of the Safe Routes to School Program for the school.
Priority Recommendation # 2 - Formation of Safe Routes to School Task Force & Program Promotion
Cost $
Groups: Safe Routes to School Facilitator and School Administration
Description: The facilitator should reach out to interested persons to begin the formation of an informal SRTS taskforce for the school. The taskforce should include members of the local advisory committee, the New Paltz bike/ped task force, parents, teachers, school administration and local residents.
Priority Recommendation # 3 - School Zone Signage and School Speed Limit
Cost $$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Facilitator, School Administration, Village of New Paltz, and NYS Department of Transportation
Description: The school, through the SRTS Taskforce, should work with the Village of New Paltz to seek written permission to install a school speed zone on the recommended roadway segments. After this approval is granted, high-visibility fluorescent yellow green signs designating the school zone and school zone speed should be installed. Police enforcement and temporary radar trailers can also be used to promote and enforce the new speed limit.
Priority Recommendation # 4 - International Walk and Bike to School Day Event
Cost $-$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and the New Paltz Police Department
Description: International Walk to School Day is held annually on the first Wednesday in October. This event can serve as a kick-off event to generate awareness and enthusiasm for a Safe Routes to School program. Events may include a special Walking School Bus lead by local politicians or school administrators, school assembly, and contest. Schools may find additional information and register for the event at www.walktoschool.org. Events such as these tend to attract increased attention and excitement that can be tapped to attract volunteers to maintain efforts year-round.
Priority Recommendation # 5 - Duzine Elementary School – Cooper Street Shared Use Path
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and the Town of New Paltz
Description: Construct the paved shared use path between the Duzine Elementary School and Cooper Street. This will provide a safer walking and bicycling route between the neighborhood and the school. High visibility crosswalks should be installed at key crossing points at the school at the same time.
Priority Recommendation # 6 - New Paltz Middle School Site Improvements
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, the Village of New Paltz, and NYS Department of Transportation
Description: Implement the proposed site improvements with the current redevelopment plan of the Middle School campus. This includes the site circulation improvements, new sidewalk connection to Main Street, and raised crosswalk.
Priority Recommendation # 7 - Priority Crosswalks and Sidewalk Gaps
Cost $$-$$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and Village of New Paltz
Description: Install crosswalks and complete sidewalk gaps at proposed locations immediately adjacent to the New Paltz Middle School along Center Street and John Street. Crosswalks that link existing sidewalks should be prioritized, with new crosswalks being installed with other proposed infrastructure, like new sidewalks and bike boulevards.
Priority Recommendation # 8 - Bike Racks
Cost $$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, and PTA
Description: Install bike racks at both the Duzine Elementary and New Paltz Middle School. The bike racks should be placed near the entrance to the school with good visibility for both awareness and security. If possible, these bike racks should be covered to protect bicycles from the elements.
Priority Recommendation # 9 - Manheim Boulevard Bicycle Accommodations
Cost $$$
Groups: Safe Routes to School Taskforce, School Administration, PTA, and Village of New Paltz
Description: Install bike lanes on S. Manheim Blvd and shared lane markings on N. Manheim Blvd to provide an immediate bicycle connection to the school.
