Iowa Safe Routes to School, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s LEAP (Local Extension Advocacy Project), recently led two successful walk audits in the communities of Goose Lake and Mechanicsville. These efforts brought together local leaders and community members to evaluate pedestrian infrastructure and identify opportunities to create safer, more accessible routes for students and families.
Walk audits are a hands-on tool used to assess the safety and walkability of streets, intersections, sidewalks, and paths that children use to get to and from school. By walking these routes as a group, community members can observe potential hazards and barriers, such as broken sidewalks, high-traffic areas, or a lack of signage, while also identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
In both Goose Lake and Mechanicsville, Iowa Safe Routes to School collaborated with ISU Extension LEAP to organize and facilitate the walk audits. LEAP’s community engagement framework played a crucial role in bringing together stakeholders to participate in these events. In each town, the audits started with a short orientation session, followed by walking tours of key school routes. They concluded with a group discussion to share observations and brainstorm practical solutions.
These walk audits are already spurring action. In Goose Lake, conversations are underway to address the lack of crosswalk infrastructure and sidewalk connectivity. Mechanicsville has great infrastructure in place. The group was looking at ways to highlight and promote the use of the great walking trails and connect the city park to downtown. The audits not only highlighted areas of concern but also celebrated the positives in each town and ways to influence people to move naturally for transportation and exercise.
These efforts reflect the broader mission of Iowa Safe Routes to School: to empower communities to support safe, healthy, and active transportation options for all students. By partnering with LEAP and engaging local partners, we are building the foundation for safer streets and stronger communities—one step at a time.
Iowa Safe Routes to School is funded through a matching grant, help us raise our 20% of the grant right here to continue our efforts to expand active transportation opportunities across the state. Thank you.