New Crosswalks Ready for Students' First Day

New and repainted crosswalks and recently paved pathways are in place for Chatham students as they begin a new school year Monday.

Recent pedestrian safety improvements in Chatham Borough and Chatham Township were highlighted in an announcement from the district's Safe Routes to School Committee.

Chatham Township repainted crosswalks and added a crosswalk at Crestwood and Lafayette avenues, and at the Southern Boulevard School back path at Spring Street near the Colony tennis lot.

Chatham Township workers also created a new asphalt sidewalk on Lafayette Avenue between Lafayette School and Fairview Avenue, according to a Safe Routes news release.

Chatham Borough built a cement sidewalk this summer on Watchung Avenue from Hillside to Girard Avenue. Another sidewalk on Kings Road should be completed in October. The borough also paved three pathways used by school children—Coleman to Milton, Hedges to Wilson, and Hedges to Cornell—using eco-friendly pervious pavement to reduce storm water runoff.

Both the borough and the township participate in the national Safe Routes to School program and completed pedestrian safety improvements as a result of parent feedback to the Chatham Safe Routes to School Committee.

Southern Blvd School, Lafayette School and Milton Avenue School achieved Gold Level Recognition at a NJ Safe Routes to School awards ceremony on July 11.  Chatham Middle School received Silver Level Recognition. 

To achieve the awards, the schools conducted parent surveys, collected statistics on the number of student walkers, mapped walking routes, and held special events such as Walk to School days, bike clinics, and
 school assemblies on pedestrian safety.

All grades K-5 will hold monthly walk to school days this school year to encourage pedestrian safety and exercise.

Anyone with more suggestions for pedestrian safety improvements can contact the Safe Routes to School Committee on their Facebook page or email Committee Chair Kathy Abbott at kabbott@chathamtownship.org

Read: Chatham Police Urge Back-to-School Traffic Safety