The City of Courtenay is inviting families to a second open house as part of its Safe and Active Schools program aimed at improving safety for students walking and cycling to school.

The City has partnered with School District 71 for many years on transportation and school safety initiatives.

For this school year, the two refreshed the Safe and Active Schools program, a two-year initiative focused on safer travel routes and encouraging more students to use active, sustainable transportation options.

The program includes open houses, school walkabouts with students, parents and administrators, online surveys and the development of school-specific travel plans with recommended actions for each participating school.

Since launching last fall, the City says it has received extensive feedback, generating more than 600 suggested actions.

From that list, a shortlist of proposed improvements has been developed and will be presented to the public this spring.

Several early measures have already been completed, including signal timing changes to improve pedestrian visibility, new pavement markings near schools and the installation of a new pedestrian crossing.

The first three elementary schools participating in the program are École Puntledge Park Elementary, Courtenay Elementary and Valley View Elementary.

In future years, the City plans to work with up to three schools annually to identify and address barriers to active school travel.

The open house is happening March 12, from 5pm to 7pm at École Puntledge Park Elementary School.

Attendees will receive an update on the project, review a summary of community feedback and have an opportunity to share their thoughts on the recommended actions.

A final report for each school is expected this spring, with implementation planned over the coming years.

For more information, visit City of Courtenay.