Mount Rainier, MD – The City of Mount Rainier is pleased to announce that both Mount Rainier Elementary and Thomas Stone Elementary are registered for the National Walk, Bike, Roll to School Event on October 4th. It is the first City in the State of Maryland to have both of its local public schools registered, and these schools represent 2 of 7 registered schools in the state to date.
Led by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Days began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness of the need for walkable communities. Both Walk & Roll to School Day and Bike & Roll to School Day welcome and encourage all forms of active transportation to school and galvanize visibility for the need for safe routes to school.
Both Mount Rainier and Thomas Stone Elementary Schools have participated in this event over the last couple of years. This year, they represent some of the first schools in the state to register – a positive trend for the City as it is currently working through a Safe Streets for All and Vision Zero plan. The schools are two of the 120 elementary schools in the Prince George's County Public School System led by Superintendent Millard's House II.
“The City of Mount Rainier is in the midst of enacting a Vision Zero plan and has applied for Federal Funds through the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All grant, so it is heartening to see both of our local school communities actively participating in this initiative,” said Mayor Celina Benitez.
Mount Rainier Elementary School’s Walk to School Day was featured in NBC Washington in 2021 when then-CEO Monica Goldson participated in the initiative. Mount Rainier’s efforts were also featured in the Climate Change Action Plan developed at the initiative of PGCPS Board Member Pamela Boozer-Strother and Climate Parents of Prince George’s County. PGCPS produced this video and this video about Mount Rainier’s efforts to create a more walkable/bikeable way to schools.
“Prince George’s County Public Schools is committed to doing its part to enact better climate solutions in our schools. I’m proud to see both Thomas Stone and Mount Rainier Elementary School taking such a proactive role in the effort to reduce car emissions and increase visibility into the benefits of walking, biking, or rolling to schools or places of employment for our students, families, and community members,” said Pamela Boozer-Strother, PGCPS Board Member.
“Participating in events such as this can shine a light on people navigating what can be dangerous conditions on the way to school, and it shows a commitment to sustainable transport from our local school communities that can help produce results,” said Valerie Woodall, City Councilmember for Ward 2, “Already, more crosswalks have been installed and more stop signs have been added.”
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Information on the City of Mount Rainier’s Safe Streets for All project can be found here. The Prince George’s County Climate Change Action Plan can be found here.