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October 8, 2013 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa is taking steps to encourage residents to walk and ride bikes by rolling out several new programs. These include a Regional Walk Day October 12, Walk to School Day on October 9, and creation of La Mesa Urban Trails, thanks to a grant from CalTrans. You can also download an ap for best walking routes, safe routes to school, and rate the streets where you walk. .Scroll down for details in a press release from the city.
WALKTOBER
If you are new to walking, WALKtober is the month to get started! Residents are encouraged to get moving during “WALKtober,” a program to encourage people to walk every day. Take your first step today!
Over a thousand La Mesa students celebrated International Walk to School Day last week by walking or biking to school. This Wednesday, October 9, students of Vista La Mesa Academy, along with members of the La Mesa City Council, will participate in their first Walk to School event in celebration of WALKtober and International Walk to School Day. Students, elected officials, City staff and volunteers will gather at Vista La Mesa Park at 7:30 a.m. and walk or bike to school. For more information on a Safe Routes to School program at your school, see the La Mesa Safe Routes Guide at www.cityoflamesa.com/srts
You too can join WALKtober and be an integral part of our community by rating the walking conditions of La Mesa. Saturday, October 12 is Regional Walk Day and you can download the free app, BestWALK, on iphone or Android or even rate the streets you walk by paper form. For more information, go to www.cityoflamesa.com/saferoutes.
WALKtober is also a great time to celebrate the $230,000 grant the City was recently awarded from Caltrans to begin planning the La Mesa Urban Trails. The project will identify the most effective approaches to connect La Mesa residents with key community destinations, including parks and recreation, medical facilities, shops and restaurants. Community input from workshops and events designed to increase awareness and access to safe, connecting trails; encourage walking, biking and transit use; and provide advocacy training, will be compiled to produce the La Mesa Urban Trails Mobility Action Plan. Project set to begin in the spring of 2014.
La Mesa Safe Routes program promotes a healthy lifestyle, cleaner environment and decreased traffic congestion. Walking is a great way to exercise. It burns calories, reduces stress, improves muscle tone, and all it requires is a pair of shoes! Individuals interested in participating or volunteering with the La Mesa Safe Routes program can call 667-1319 or email srts@ci.la-mesa.ca.us. Follow us on twitter @LaMesaSRTS
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