No obstacles for Walk & Bike to School
Oct. 2, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti
Students and staff from Crossett Brook Middle School on Friday morning took part in Walk & Bike to School sponsored by Waterbury Winterfest and Waterbury LEAP.
The annual event has students along with some parents and school staff meet up at Rusty Parker Park in downtown Waterbury. Volunteers set out morning treats including cider and doughnuts, fresh fruit, bagels, and coffee for the adults.
Everyone heads out to school together either walking or on bikes. Last fall, the event was cancelled with construction still under way along Main Street and and school in session in person only part time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This time, construction is completed with Main Street covered in fresh asphalt and new sidewalks most of the length of the street.
Crossett Brook Principal Tom Drake participated and estimated about 50 students took part with a little more than half on bikes and the rest walking the 1.6 miles from park to school. About another 10 adults - some parents and some school staff - joined in on bikes and on foot, he said.
“This is a great community-building event and an excellent way to both help the planet and our bodies!” Drake said.
The event was smaller than usual as Brookside Primary School did not participate this time. Still, volunteer organizer Bill Minter said he was happy to see it return. “Waterbury Winterfest is proud to support healthy recreation that is good for the children and good for the environment at the same time,” he said. “We are celebrating the change in the seasons and looking forward to Waterbury Winterfest 2022.”
Winterfest is an annual winter community event usually held over a week or more in January with daily winter activities outside and indoors including recreation and entertainment. Waterbury LEAP - short for Local Energy Action Partnership - is the town’s energy committee that works on energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.