Senator Bond Visits Columbia for Two Healthy Community Events
U.S. Senator Christopher S. “Kit” Bond will be the guest of honor at the Healthy Kids, Healthy Columbia Celebration and GetAbout Columbia Ribbon Cutting on Friday morning, April 17.
The Healthy Kids, Healthy Columbia Celebration will begin at 8:20 a.m at the corner of Pershing Street and Lowe Street, where 40-50 West Boulevard Elementary School students will lead the Senator on their 15-minute walk to school through Again Street Park.
When the group arrives at school, Sen. Bond will offer his remarks on policies and practices affecting children’s health issues and will highlight Columbia’s citywide Walking School Bus program.
Sen. Bond’s second public appearance will begin at 9:30 a.m. for the GetAbout Columbia ribbon cutting and plaque dedication. This event will be hosted by Mayor Darwin Hindman at the newly-named “MKT Trail Plaza” on the corner of Stewart Road and Providence Road. The area has seen recent improvements funded by the federal GetAbout Columbia program to create a safer and more accessible environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users. In 2005, Sen. Bond's support was essential in Columbia being awarded one of just four $22 million dollar federal Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program grants that made GetAbout Columbia possible.
Representatives from several national advocacy organizations, including the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will be in attendance for Friday’s events.
Both the RTC and the SRTSNP are pushing hard for a major expansion of federal funding programs that support sustainable and sensible transportation options. Columbia is currently the center of attention for this movement and Sen. Bond’s appearance and support of a healthy and active Columbia will let them know their attention is justified.
The MKT Trail Plaza ribbon-cutting event can be accessed by walking along the paved MKT trail from Flat Branch Park or by taking a free ride in one of Shakespeare's pedicabs. Afterwards, a reception with refreshments will be held at the YouZeum.
