Active Streets

• Slow motorists to create space for people to walk, bike, and be active
• Build trust with residents by partnering with community organizations 
• Improve health outcomes for residents through increased physical activity 
• Address reckless driving on neighborhood streets 
• Respond quickly to traffic safety concerns using low-cost infrastructure 
• Use art to reimagine streets 

 _{W. Washington St. from S. 20th St. to S. 1st St.}  

A main goal of SSCHC’s for Active Streets 2021 was to elevate neighborhood pride and community engagement. The first crosswalk mural in the south side community was created through a collaboration between AWE & SSCHC. It was created by artists Catalina Bayona and Yesi Perez who painted the mural on Cesar Chavez Drive and Washington Street. This brought attention to help improve pedestrian safety. 

The continuing goal for the SSCHC's Active Street is to enhance the feeling of belonging in the community through neighborhood beautification projects that enhances safety. In 2022, SSCHC encouraged physical activity which emphasized on engaging senior residents. Pictured is the senior walking club in front of Floración, a street mural created by LUNA, Whitney Salgado, and Katie Avila Loughmiller. SSCHC also collaborated with AWE to create an installation of cubes featuring photos and profiles of members from the senior walking club. 

 _{W. Meinecke Ave. from N. 37th St. to N. 38th St.}  

More than 250 people participated in the two large events held at Butterfly Park. One of the events was in partnership with AWE to paint sidewalk butterflies. Through these events, MPCB gathered feedback with the use of a Safe Driving Board. Residents were encouraged to share comments, concerns and ideas on how to increase safe driving.

8 events were held at Butterfly Park and 450 community members participated in various activities. There was a mobile food pantry, different immersive activities, distribution of helmets and resource providers about youth programs and housing. Having these events helped sustain the enthusiasm for future traffic calming.

 _{N. 25th St. from W. Roosevelt Dr. to W. Capitol Dr.}  

NWSCDC created a Block Watch group to hold meetings with presentations about crosswalk designs, safety and how to program the Active Street with the community's participation.

Maintaining relationships with neighbors continued to thrive in 2022. In early summer, 75 people participated in a bike ride along the Active Street and the 3.9 mile Walk/Run for Peace included 25th Street.

 _{W. Galena Street from N. 27th St. to N. 40th St.}  

UMCS hosted neighborhood clean ups throughout the summer for the purpose of creating a clean environment for children to play outside. Public officials and neighborhood residents attended BBQs and community walks on the Active Street, so everybody could be engaged. UMCS worked with AWE and artist Stephanie Krellwitz to design and install two decorative crosswalks – one at N. 40th Street and one at N. 30th Street.

The UMCS Neighborhood Engagement Team (NET) organized a series of popups in an empty lot off 36th St. and Galena St, including neighborhood clean ups and art sessions to tie in educating the community on safe streets and build connections. One of the popups in 2022 was partnered with the Center for Leadership of African Women’s Wellness and Mental Health America to host a Drumming Circle. In 2022, yoga and meditation were practiced.

In summer 2022, DPW received a grant from the People for Bikes Foundation to install semi-permanent traffic calming infrastructure on W. Galena St. from N. 34th St. to N. 31st St. These installations allowed residents to experience what traffic calming could look and feel like before constructing permanent infrastructure.

UMCS collected data which showed that many motorists slowed down while approaching a speed hump, traffic circle or curb extension along with a 56% decrease in speeding overall.