Traffic Garden Helps Bike Riders Grow

On Saturday, September 12, Partners for Parks joined members of the community to celebrate a grand re-opening of the traffic garden at Clanton Park.

Traffic gardens, also known as traffic playgrounds or safety towns, feature scaled-down roads, crosswalks, and signs to help children safely practice walking and biking skills.

Earlier this summer, the traffic garden was re-painted thanks, in part, to financial support provided by Partners for Parks in partnership with Mecklenburg County Office of Public Health and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.

“This project perfectly reflects what Partners for Parks stands for: building stronger, healthier communities by supporting accessible, safe, active and engaging public spaces,” said Lauren Sawyers, Partners for Parks executive director in remarks before the ribbon-cutting. “It’s projects like this one that help create more inclusive, vibrant communities and foster a sense of belonging for all.”

Dr. Kimberly Clark, Mecklenburg County Public Health Director, also spoke, recalling the first bike she had — a pink Huffy — and enjoying the sense of freedom it gave her when she learned to ride.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to learn to ride,” she said. “Spaces like this help make that possible.”

Following the brief ceremony, Trips for Kids held a Learn to Ride program on site.

Partners for Parks was honored to be part of this energetic celebration. If you haven’t checked out a traffic garden yet, visit Clanton Park or any of Mecklenburg County’s seven Traffic Garden sites!