Bonney Lake and Sumner School District work for Safe Routes

Published 2:51 pm Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Bonney Lake City Hall served as the information hub Saturday morning for anyone wanting to learn about the city’s Safe Routes to School program.

About a dozen citizens showed up to hear about the city’s partnership with the Sumner School District to realize the goal of creating a safe way for children to walk or bike to and from school.

Bonney Lake Public Works Director Gary Leaf said the benefits of the routes, which include a trail and new sidewalks, are environmental and physical. In a presentation he mentioned the health risks associated with inactivity and obesity. With children getting more exercise, he said, they are apt to be healthier.

“There’s physical activity benefits,” he said.

Large maps and satellite images on display provided a visual aid of where the routes are being installed.

The proposed trail location is along Fennel Creek, connecting to Victor Falls Elementary. A mile of sidewalk will connect Victor Falls Elementary to Bonney Lake High School and existing paths between Bonney Lake High School and Mountain View Middle School are planned.

Leaf said the city worked hard to publicize the program by sponsoring a contest among students to determine who could design the best poster about the school routes. Eight bicycles were given as prizes and winners were determined by other students.

“There was an art class at Mountain View Middle School as judges,” Leaf said.

The project is funded by a 2006 grant received by Bonney Lake and $1 million divided equally from state and federal money.

Leaf said construction on the routes, specifically the trail will most likely start in the late summer or early fall.