Gordon walkway makes getting to school safer

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2006

For several years the PTA at Richard Gordon Elementary School has been looking for ways to improve the walkway to the school off Barber Cut Off Road in Kingston. The current walkway is a gravel path that runs alongside the driveway.

In discussing the need for new gravel, safety concerns were raised. First was the need for separation between the walkway and the driveway. Second were the multiple crossings that students must make across the busy driveway and and road.

In fall 2005, the Gordon PTA made the decision that the walkway safety improvements would be the fund-an-item project at the annual school auction held last March at Kiana Lodge. A sidewalk committee was born, assisted by former PTA member Connie Reckord who drew schematics for the new sidewalk to be located on the opposite side of the approach to Gordon. This will limit the road crossings students have to make and provide a guardrail to separate drivers and pedestrians.

The sidewalk will be in the form of a boardwalk on the section that starts from Barber Cut Off Road and transition to concrete along the upper driveway.

At the March auction, the PTA raised $10,050 for the sidewalk project. In addition, various groups and businesses have stepped forward to offer their skills and time.

Construction of the new sidewalk and boardwalk will be carried out this summer.

A volunteer labor list is being compiled now. Call Carolina Veenstra at (360) 297-2059 or Debbie Griffin at (360) 297-3101 to volunteer a few hours of time to improve the safety of children walking to school.

Gordon walkway project awarded Aloha Wright Grant

The Kingston Garden Club announced May 17 that the first Aloha Wright Grant of $1,000 was awarded to the Richard Gordon Elementary PTA to purchase native plant species for the “Safe Walk to School Trail.”

The Gordon PTA parents, students, community volunteers and the North Kitsap Boys and Girls Club will build the trail and sidewalk from Barber Cut Off Road to the entrance of the school. Gordon students will plant the native species in the 18 to 24 spaces that are designated as planting beds along the 250-foot sidewalk and trail. Along the lower, more natural portion of the trail, native species such as Dogwood, Elderberry, Sword ferns, Sedges and Cedars will be planted with permanent educational signage for the students and general public.

The Aloha Wright Grant award tops generous contributions from various individuals and businesses in the Kingston community who have sponsored this $20,000 walkway project. Kingston Garden Club members look forward to viewing the student plantings and walking the trail when finished for the beginning of the 2006 school year.