Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Village of Oak Harbor has received a $30,000 competitive grant from ODOT to begin implementation of their Safe Routes to School plan, which would “address barriers, both physical and intangible, that are preventing kids from choosing active options for traveling to school.”
Part of the process was a public comment meeting, which was held on Jan. 29, where the village and representatives from Reveille, a planning and economic development consulting business , met with citizens.
Among the countermeasures identified were the need for improved pedestrian connectivity on State Route 163 from the school entrance to Benton St. and an unsafe crossing at the Church and Park streets intersection, as well as things like bike helmet access and additional funding for crossing guards.
“The objective is to get kids to school safely,” Oak Harbor mayor Quinton Babcock said. “We want to reduce barriers and help parents feel safe about having their kids walk to school.”
The village utilized data gathered from a community survey which asked local residents to voice preferences on needed community services or amenities. Two of the top four responses were related to connectivity, including requests for a river walk, trails and a bike path.
The approval of the Safe Routes to School grant is timed to fit with the comprehensive plan. The grant will help fund some of the overlapping objectives of the comprehensive plan, such as improved sidewalks. Babcock said one identified point of concern is creating a safer connection between the school and students who live east of Veterans Memorial Park. Although it’s a short walk to school through the park, it’s not a safe route because the sidewalk is narrow and unlighted.
Once ODOT approves the city’s Safe Routes to School improvement objectives, the village will be eligible to apply for further grant money to implement the improvements.
In the big picture, the village’s efforts fit into the connectivity, active transportation or health goals of many county organizations, including the Ottawa County Health Department, the Park District of Ottawa County, Ottawa County Improvement Corporation and Shores & Islands Ohio.
Meanwhile, the village plans to begin foundational work on riverfront development this year. An architect was hired to create a plan that will seamlessly tie the Portage River to downtown Oak Harbor, creating connectivity to natural resources and to local businesses.
The Safe Routes to School plan can be viewed on the village website. It is currently being finalized and village council plans to pass the resolution in support of the plan at their Feb. 18 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
