Photo: Those cutting the ribbon are, from left, Trent Doolittle, who, as Department of Transportation District 1 engineer, served as master of ceremonies; Kennth White, state transportation commissioner District 1; Barry Ward, Silver Schools facilities director; NM Sen. Howie Morales; Alvin Dominguez, DOT Cabinet Secretary; Brett Kasten, Grant County Commission Chairman; and Silver City Mayor James Marshall. (Courtesy Photo)
Photo of children who created a fence design of a skateboard as part of the non-motorized transportation art installation, from left, Addison Pearson, 5, and Zeyah Pearson, 4. (Courtesy Photo)
Grant County, New Mexico, October 17, 2012: Community members old and young were able to enjoy an afternoon of festivities as the newly constructed bridge over Silva Creek, next to Jose Barrios Elementary school was officially opened on Wednesday, October 17th. Created by local metalwork specialists Custom Steelworks, the modern structure connects Little Walnut Road to the Virginia Street Botanical Gardens, allowing safe walking and cycling access for students and community members.
"It was great to see so many kids turn out for the bridge dedication," commented Grant Counties Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Public Relations Liaison Kendra Milligan. "Not only does the bridge connect kids to school, but it connects them to multiple parks and recreational facilities. I can't wait to see the other old bridges in town replaced with beautiful structures."
An initiative of the Grant County Community Health Council, aimed at reducing childhood obesity through healthy eating and active living, Healthy Kids Healthy Communities' presence at the event represents a town wide effort towards improving access ways and promoting non-motorized transportation. "You cannot have healthy kids without healthy neighborhoods," explained Safe Routes to Schools Director Jamie Thompson, "and you cannot have healthy neighborhoods without a comprehensive, non-motorized transportation network. Kids walking and riding is a massive step towards tackling childhood obesity."
Many community members who live locally have been positively affected by the improved access this new structure provides, and several comments made by Silver City officials targeted the user friendliness of this bridge compared to the one it replaced. Access to the new bridge through the Silver City Botanical Garden was another point highlighted during the ceremony, and members of a citizens group responsible for the upkeep of this facility were present to celebrate the bridge opening.
An impressive number of children came to the opening, and Safe Routes to Schools accommodated them by organizing a scavenger hunt after the opening ceremony. A fence decorating activity had also been prepared, and children were encouraged to decorate the fence on the Jose Barrios side of the bridge with various interpretations of non-motorized transportation. Participants were enthusiastic, and the artwork will remain up for community members to enjoy.
It is hoped that more projects such as this will be undertaken around Silver City, in an ongoing effort to improve non-motorized access ways. A similarly impressive bridge has recently been installed over the confluence of PA and Silva Creek behind the Police Station. It is hoped that having already received much positive feedback regarding the Jose Barrios Bridge, additional projects can be undertaken in an effort to improve public access ways throughout the town.
Author: Martyn Pearson
