DURANGO, Colo. – Durango School District 9-R will partner with the city of Durango and the Healthy Lifestyles La Plata County Coalition on Oct. 8 for Walk and Wheel to School Day. 

The event is part of the Safe Routes to School program, an international effort created in the 1970s in Denmark over concern for the safety of children walking and wheeling to and from school.

Although Needham Elementary, Riverview Elementary, and Miller Middle School are encouraging students to walk and wheel to school, the main event takes place at Park Elementary. As a safety precaution, students at Fort Lewis Mesa, Florida Mesa, Escalante, Animas Valley and Sunnyside are being encouraged to walk and wheel “AT SCHOOL.”

Festivities begin at Park Elementary at 7:30 a.m. with a short ceremony, prize giveaways, refreshments and snacks, followed by a special walking and wheeling trek around the school. Some of the area’s top professional cyclists and athletes will be in attendance, including Specialized’s Ned Overend, U23 national champion Tad Elliott, Scott bikes’ Drew Edsall, Kenda/Titus racer Andy Shultz and Durango Devo’s Chad Cheeney, and more.

Numerous city, state, and county officials will also be on hand, including City Manager Ron LeBlanc, Durango Police Chief David Felice, Durango School District 9-R Superintendent Dr. Keith Owen, CDOT’s Richard Reynolds, Steve Parker and Nancy Shanks.

Vehicular drivers are asked to proceed carefully and be on the lookout for children who may be walking or wheeling to school.

For further information about the Safe Routes To School program or Walk and Wheel to School Day, contact 9-R Safety Compliance Coordinator Kathy Morris, 247.5411, ext. 1431, or Public Information Officer Dyan Lee, 247.5411, ext. 1400.  

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