Graduating students Bogdana Rus, Kara Homan, and Michael Ayer presented their Mount Vernon Parks and Schools Safe Connections Plan to the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission the evening of Wednesday, April 18. The plan recommends new grade-separated trails to be negotiated for as the City concludes development agreements on the fringe, a sidewalk improvement plan, and a combination of lane striping and signage in developed areas. The routes were developed in collaboration with a ten member Technical Assistance Committee, and were presented by the students for public comment in a series of open house events. Recommendations also deal with phasing and financing.

The Commission was especially impressed at the extensive public input into the plan, and hopes to continue the momentum of this process as they move forward with implementation.