September 2018 Photos courtesy of Shawn Dunwoody Kids and families turn a story into art on sidewalks Kids and families from the Beechwood neighborhood in Rochester created a painted Story Walk Sept. 15 at Sully Branch Library and the Thomas P. Ryan R-Center. Working with artist Shawn Dunwoody, families painted vibrant sunflowers, corn, pumpkins and other plants on the sidewalks. The playful design encourages visitors to play foursquare, hopscotch and skip into and out of the library and R-Center. The community-driven Story Walk project builds on the success of Rochester's first Story Walk, which was painted outside Phillis Wheatley Library in 2017. The Beechwood project is a collaboration among the Rochester Public Library, Friends & Foundation of the Rochester Public Library, the City of Rochester, Beechwood Neighborhood Coalition, Shawn Dunwoody, parents and children from the neighborhood, and the Healthi Kids Coalition. View photos here.
Campaign will address traffic safety Speeding cars and unsafe streets are barriers that keep kids from walking, biking, and playing. Nearly 4,000 injuries and deaths involving motor vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists occurred in Rochester from 2010-2017. That's an average of 1.3 crashes per day! In response, Common Ground Health, Causewave Community Partners, and fourteen other partners next week will launch a traffic safety campaign. For more than two years, the group has sought changes to allow people to be safe and respected whether they walk, run, bike, take the bus or drive. Follow Healthi Kids on Facebook and Twitter as we share out messages that can help our roads become safer.
New urban farm play space opens Kudos to Foodlink for expanding its Lexington Avenue Community Farm to include a parklet, nature play space and play library (shown above). Foodlink hosted a garden party Sept. 27 at the urban farm at 631 Lexington Avenue. The farm serves neighborhood residents. It also enables Foodlink to grow fresh food for its Curbside Market and Community Kitchen. Read more.
Neighborhood intersection gets an extreme makeover Before Sept. 8, Parsells Avenue at Greeley Street was a broad straightaway. Drivers zipped along at high speeds, frightening walkers, bikers and bus riders. By the end of Sept. 8, the intimidating intersection was no more, at least temporarily. Colorful crosswalks, realigned curbs, a large mural and temporary sculptures transformed the street. The Parsells and Greeley transformation was part of the Complete Streets Makeover project, a creative way to test street enhancements. Complete streets are roads that allow everyone to use the street safely, whether by car, foot, bike or transit. View stories and photos here. Above: The intersection of Parsells and Greeley before the Complete Streets Makeover.
Back to School event Healthi Kids staff shared health information, took blood pressures, and mapped out neighborhood health issues during School 17's Back to School event Aug. 30.
Educators pick up new skills and equipment Rochester Central School District schools working with Healthi Kids started the year with new adaptive equipment. This included adaptive basketball hoops, stretch bands and yoga equipment. It followed trainings on inclusive recreation Aug. 29 and yoga for classrooms Aug. 30 (shown above). Schools also received equipment to make smoothies and crockpots to prepare and serve fresh produce. Schools receiving materials included 3, 8, 9, 16, 17, 22, 29, 53 and RISE. For details, contact Alicia Evans at Alicia.evans@commongroundhealth.org or 585-224-3172.
Book launches to address social and emotional learning Congratulations to Elizabeth Devaney of Children's Institute in Rochester, who co-edited Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School Time: Foundations and Future. The book defines and explains social and emotional learning in several out-of-school contexts. It gives ways to integrate and align this learning with other fields. Learn more here.
In the headlines: WHAM - Beechwood neighborhood intersection gets a makeover to make it safer WXXI - Community project hopes to make intersection of Parsells and Greeley safer for pedestrians WHEC - Beechwood residents give one intersection an extreme makeover WROC - Rochester intersection receives makeover Rochester Business Journal - Neighbors plan slowdown on Parsells Avenue City Newspaper - Beechwood's bump in the road The Post - Neighborhood intersection undergoes makeover
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