October is national Pedestrian Safety Month Springfield’s Pedestrian Safety Campaign, SGF Yields, works with neighborhoods to make walking fun and safe.
Set for the first Saturday of October, Springfield residents are invited to join in on a lovely evening stroll with lanterns!
Starting at sunset, participants stroll with their illuminated lanterns along the designated one mile route. Along the way, there are multiple stations where children learn safe walking tips. Drivers learn about crosswalk safety and parents are encouraged to practice safe street crossings with their children during the walk. Residents along the route can help make the autumn walk especially beautiful by placing lights along the sidewalks, decorating their porches and applauding the children for their beautiful lanterns.
Lanterns can easily be crafted at home, or families may attend a free lantern workshop at the Springfield Art Museum.
The main event will take place at Phelps Grove Park where families have the opportunity to play games, join the 0.3 mile parade and learn about pedestrian safety along the way. You may park near Phelps Grove Park. If you wish to walk further away for a longer stroll, you may join one of the neighborhood lantern trains that start at nearby elementary schools and lead to Phelps Grove Park (Sunshine Elementary, Delaware Elementary and Rountree Elementary).
Lantern Walks will also take place across Springfield, passing through Commercial Street, led by the Woodland Heights and Robberson neighborhoods and in West Central, Galloway and Brentwood neighborhoods.
Lanterns can easily be crafted. If you need ideas or want to participate in a lantern-making workshop ahead of event, come to the Springfield Art Museum at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
For more information visit springfieldmo.gov/lanternwalk.