A bicycle garden at Horizons-on-the-Hudson Elementary School in Orange County.
Travel Well has started to envision the creation of a “traffic park” at an unused tennis court at Forsyth Park. The above bicycle garden was taken at Horizons-on-the-Hudson Elementary School in Orange County.
A “traffic park” is sometimes called a traffic garden, transportation park, or safety village. The project will paint the surface of an unused tennis court at Forsyth Park to look like a streetscape for users of all ages to practice their bicycle, scooter, or walking safety skills in a low-stress environment. Once created, the space will be available for use by the public, students, and the YMCA bicycle program, and can still be used as overflow parking during events.
Traffic parks are a great place to teach kids to ride. When kids learn traffic rules when they are young, they will likely become better, safer users of the transportation system when they get older.
A “bicycle rodeo” or traffic skills event will be hosted on June 15th, 1-4pm to kick-off the project. The event will offer basic bicycle safety education on the hour. A few bicycles will be available but participants are encouraged to bring their own. Helmet fitting and giveaways will be available. At the event will be examples of other traffic parks and an opportunity to contribute ideas about the design of the space.
Want to learn more about traffic gardens? Here is a great website with a map of locations. Here is a traffic garden guide from Safe Routes Philly and a Traffic Playground Toolkit from Metro Portland we are reviewing for inspiration and best practices.
Want to get involved? Email Emily at eflynn@kingston-ny.gov.
This activity was funded by the New York State Department of Health Creating Healthy Schools & Communities Grant, administered by the City of Kingston.
