​​Safe Routes Partnership E-News
Issue #203: July 2023

Safe Routes Partnership E-News is a monthly email newsletter published by the Safe Routes Partnership. We are also on Facebook and Twitter. Join us!

  1. Marking July as National Parks and Recreation Month with Safe Routes to Parks Highlights
  2. Addressing Systems Change with Safe Routes to Parks Grantees
  3. Making Strides State Report Cards FAQs
  4. July Federal Policy Roundup
  5. Learn How States are Defining and Prioritizing "High-Need" Communities in the Transportation Alternatives Program
  6. Safe Routes Partnership Earns 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency
  7. Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report Highlights Older Americans
  8. Save by Registering Early for the Safe Routes to School Summit 2023

1. Marking July as National Parks and Recreation Month with Safe Routes to Parks Highlights

We’re celebrating “Where Community Grows,” by highlighting two of the four nonprofit organizations selected earlier this year for the Safe Routes to Parks Pennsylvania Activating Communities cohort.  As our grantees continue to develop and initiate action plans to increase safe and equitable access to parks and green spaces, read about the work being done in the communities of Shenandoah and Erie, Pennsylvania in our latest blog.


2. Addressing Systems Change with Safe Routes to Parks Grantees

Problems, like lack of sidewalks or community engagement, can be easy to spot, but the conditions that created those problems and continue to hold them in place are sometimes harder to see. In this month’s Safe Routes to Parks blog, we take a closer look at our past grantees and how their efforts to make park access more safe, convenient, and equitable addressed the areas of systems change.


3. Making Strides State Report Cards FAQs

Are you wondering how your state report card score was calculated or what you can do to help? With the release of our 4th edition of the Making Strides: 2022 State Report Cards on Support for Walking, Bicycling, and Active Kids and Communities came many questions from active transportation champions. We’ve compiled the most commonly asked questions in our Making Strides State Report Cards FAQs.


4. July Federal Policy Roundup

Our federal policy blog is back and we’ve got a roundup of funding to support walking, bicycling, and Safe Routes to School. With the close of the second quarter of the fiscal year, see which states are leading the way in obligating TAP funds and what is funded through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program.


5. Learn How States are Defining and Prioritizing "High-Need" Communities in the Transportation Alternatives Program

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) now requires that states define high-need communities and prioritize them in TAP project selection. We've been working through the Intersections Initiatives to support stakeholders to understand and implement this provision. Learn how states currently define high-need communities as part of their TAP application process and the variety of opportunities states can use to prioritize and support them.


 6. Safe Routes Partnership Earns 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency

The Safe Routes Partnership prides ourselves on being transparent in how we work to achieve our mission of advancing safe walking and rolling to and from schools and in everyday life, improving the health and well-being of all people, and building healthy, thriving communities for everyone. We are happy to have earned a 2023 Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid. Check out our non-profit profile to learn more here.


7. Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report Highlights Older Americans

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based guidance to help people maintain or improve their health through physical activity. Building on the second edition of the Guidelines, the newly released Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report: Implementation Strategies for Older Adults highlights strategies to help people aged 65 years and older get and stay active. Download the Midcourse Report today to learn about strategies you can implement in your community and read our Safe Routes to Parks blog on how older adults can strengthen their connections and bodies through walks to the park.


8. Save by Registering Early for the Safe Routes to School Summit 2023

School may be out, but we’re gearing up for workshop sessions at the Safe Routes to School Summit 2023. Don’t let the early bird registration discount slip by and miss your opportunity to celebrate the People, Places, and Possibility of Safe Routes to School. Our virtual three-day summit will be held October 24 -26, but now is the time to register. To learn more about the Summit or register today visit: bit.ly/SRTSSummit23.