The Ozark Mountain Section of the American Planning Association, Missouri Chapter (APA Missouri), in partnership with Trailnet and the City of Springfield, is hosting a tactical urbanism, pop-up traffic calming demonstration all day June 16 and 17. The demonstration will be located in the Rountree Neighborhood at the intersection of Cherry and Pickwick.
This location was chosen due to concerns from the neighborhood regarding high vehicle speed and pedestrian walkability.
Pop-up traffic calming demonstrations are temporary installations that provide an opportunity to review the impact that street design can have on public health and pedestrian activity. Slowing vehicle traffic can assist in making streets feel safer, friendlier, and more livable and welcoming to residents of all ages.
“We are very excited to partner with the Rountree Neighborhood Association and the City of Springfield to show how small changes in street design can make a big impact for the community,” said Jeremy Snow, president of the APA Ozark Mountain Section and project lead.
Residents, media, and all interested parties are welcome to attend the demonstration and provide input. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Jeremy Snow at jsnow@environmentalworks.com.
Similar traffic calming demonstrations are planned throughout the month of June for the Kansas City and St. Louis regions.
Demonstrations are made possible by a $60,000 grant through the American Planning Association’s Planners4Health initiative. The initiative’s goal is to create stronger, healthier communities. This grant allows for a continued partnership between Trailnet and APA Missouri to focus on educating planners and public health professionals on the health impacts of street design. The focus of the project, in partnership with the Missouri Council of Activity and Nutrition, is to share lessons learned from a previous grant, the Plan4Health project, throughout the state. Trailnet is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; its mission is to lead in fostering healthy, active, and vibrant communities where walking, bicycling, and the use of public transit are ways of life.