Safe Routes to School

• Project value$407, 549 (SRTS Grant Award)
• Project schedule2026

Two Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects will make it safer for students to walk and bike to Winchell Elementary and Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

These projects are part of a partnership that began in 2019 between the City of Kalamazoo, Winchell Elementary, and Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts to improve safety for students traveling to and from school. The plans were delayed by the COVID-19. A Safe Routes to School grant was awarded in 2022, but contingent on completion of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) requirements which took almost two years. 

In addition to the improvements outlined for each school below, the grant also includes funding for an educational/outreach program in each school to encourage students to walk and bike to school using the new infrastructure.

Winchell Elementary

A new sidewalk will be built along the south side of Winchell Avenue between Oakland Drive and Rambling Road. This will help connect the southern part of the neighborhood with the school. Several new crosswalks will also be added to make it easier for students and families to reach the sidewalk safely.

Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts

At the intersection of Howard Street and Merrill Avenue, the crosswalk will be upgraded to improve visibility and safety. A new pedestrian signal with push button–activated flashing beacons will alert drivers when people are crossing. New curb ramps will be added to make the crossing accessible, and focused lighting on the crosswalk area is being considered to further enhance visibility.

Trees and Landscaping

Some trees along the project areas will need to be trimmed or removed to accommodate construction. Tree work will begin earlier than most other construction activities. In total, 13 trees will be removed as part of these projects, 12 along Winchell Avenue and one on Howard Street.

After the new sidewalks are installed, any remaining stumps will be removed, and new trees will be planted in the fall. Altogether, 23 new trees will be added: 21 on Winchell Avenue and two on Howard Street.

About Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School is focused on creating a safe walking and bicycling environment for children as they travel to school and was identified as a need during Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 and neighborhood planning. The City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Michigan State University, and Michigan Fitness Foundation, worked together in 2019 to complete the Safe Routes to School planning process for Maple Middle School(PDF, 28MB) and Winchell Elementary School(PDF, 31MB). The planning process included surveys, walking audits, and community meetings, resulting in an action plan for each school which is used to apply for infrastructure and programmatic grants from the State.

This project was originally expected to be completed in 2024, but it had to be delayed to meet certain grant requirements.