Morrisville Active Kids Strategic Plan

Active Kids Strategic Plan

activity among students. They expressed concerns over not being able to interact with their friends from school as frequently because they were less likely to be from Morrisville. Working with the school system to identify how and where future schools can be located should be a top priority.  Preserving natural areas for enjoyment by youth and others: As Morrisville has grown, the areas where forest or other natural features are present has been diminished as subdivisions have been cultivated in their place. Finding places to preserve the natural environment and enhancing it within or adjacent to parks and greenways were a priority for youth.  Overcoming barriers created by auto-oriented roadways: Most of the roads and streets within Morrisville were built for the mobility and safety of the automobile operator rather than striking a balance to optimize mobility and safety for people who walk and bike. Recognizing that commute-based trips on foot or by bike may always be limited, Morrisville should evaluate the potential for increased utilitarian and recreational trips to destinations within walking and bicycling distance of residential areas. Opportunities The strengths and challenges within Morrisville create opportunities for broadening the scope of projects and building partnerships to support more active youth. The robust growth in the area combined with a stable financial base for the community allow for greater investment in safe transportation systems and recreational programs.  Willingness to focus on healthy initiatives: Sever al or ganizations in the area are involved in emphasizing healthy living, especially Youth Thrive and Advocates for Health in Action. The bold step by Morrisville to seek funding for this plan indicates that it is a priority for the Town. Health should be a major driving factor in any future land use, transportation, and economic development plans. Youth should be engaged heavily in these efforts.  Coordination among town officials and other regional organizations: The involvement of Youth Thr ive, CAMPO’s Safe Routes to School efforts, and the Active Routes to School program should be viewed as partnerships for the Town to pursue the Action Steps identified in this plan.  Adjunct uses along greenways and trails : The Town should look beyond the presence and placement of greenways to identify adjunct uses along them, such as natural areas, pump tracks, mountain bike trails, playgrounds, and social gathering spaces so they become a destination in addition to being a recreation and transportation facility.

A bike lane along a street may not be the best facility to promote bicycling among youth. By reconfiguring streets to in- clude sidepaths or separated cycle tracks that connect to greenways, the Town can build a safer network for youth as well as others.

April 25, 2017

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