Benteen Elementary Hosts Play Street Event to Promote Safe Routes to School

Enjoy the self-advancing photo slideshow of the Benteen Elementary School Play Street event. Photos: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©

Benteen Elementary School hosted a Play Street event after school on October 30, in partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT). A neighboring street was temporarily closed as students and families enjoyed games and activities in a car-free zone as a part of a growing effort to promote safe and active travel to and from school.

Play Street events are part of the national Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, which works to make it safer and more accessible for students to walk, bike, and roll to school. The initiative also aims to reduce congestion near campuses and increase active travel among families throughout the year.

“Play Street is a fun way to end the day, build community, and bring people together,” said Nichole Hollis, Safe Routes to School manager for the City of Atlanta Department of Transportation. “It’s a mini-block party and an opportunity to encourage more walking, more biking.”

The ATLDOT supports the SRTS efforts as part of the City of Atlanta’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. SRTS programming focuses on communities of concern, areas that have historically lacked transportation investment and experience higher rates of pedestrian and bicyclist injuries.

The event reinforced the ongoing partnership between Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and the City of Atlanta to create safer, more connected routes for APS students.