In 2006, the city of Mansfield’s Engineer/Superintendent of Public Services, James DeSanto, learned how several communities had made tremendous improvements in their infrastructure and the overall safety in neighborhoods and shared this with the administration. During this same time frame, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced funding would soon become available from Federal Funds for communities to begin a Safe Routes to School Program. Recognizing the potential positive impact to our community, the Administration had the vision to bring this program to the city of Mansfield residents and leaders to see if this was a direction the city of Mansfield should pursue.

In October of 2006, a pilot “walk to school day” was held with Carpenter and Prospect Elementary Schools to determine if this program was of interested to our schools and the community. The “pilot” program was a tremendous success, and in November of 2006, stakeholders were invited to attend a meeting to discuss the results of the “walk to school day”, and explain the potential benefits of the SRTS program for the city of Mansfield. This meeting led to the formation of the Mansfield Safe Routes to School Task Force.

The Mansfield SRTS Task the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Task Force was formed in November 2006. It is comprised of representatives from all sectors of our community, as the plan is a community based initiative. Members that helped put in place the school travel plan include:

Ms. Andrea Moyer, Principal of Hedges Elementary School (presently at John Sherman)

Mr. Dennis Armstrong, City of Mansfield Project Planner

Mr. Paul Bender, RCRPC, Transportation Planner

Sgt. Shari Robertson, Mansfield Police Department

Sgt. Dan Martincin, Mansfield Police Department

Ms. Brenda Phillips, RCA

Mr. Michael Bichsel, Mid Ohio Heart Clinic

Kim Hildreth, Program Coordinator, Mansfield Litter Prevention & Recycling

Ms. Diane Shambaugh, Community Resource Specialist, Mansfield City Schools

Mr. Joseph Wyka, City of Mansfield, Chief Deputy Engineer

Ms. Lacey Rust, City of Mansfield, seasonal employee assisting with SRTS

Ms. Selby Dorgan, Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department

Mr. Gaylord Rice Jr., City of Mansfield, Codes & Permits

Mr. James DeSanto, City of Mansfield, Chief Engineer/Public Service Superintendent

Ms. Mary Amber Hughes, Dunbilt Ct. Neighborhood Watch

Ms. Amanda Stanfield, North Lake Park Neighborhood Watch

Mr. Greg Kahl, Richland County Children Services, Communications Director

Ms. Patsy Rambo, Citizen

Ms. Elaine Murphy, Parent

Mr. Terry Conrad, Friendly House, Executive Director

Ms. Bobbie Gerhardt, Woodland Elementary School Principal (presently at Brinkerhoff)

Ms. Linda White, Woodland Elementary School

Ms. Katherine Schiraldi, Richland County Children Services

The School Travel Plan for our community was passed in August of 2007, laying the groundwork, and developing strategies to make our community safer for all pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the year.

The work continues to assure objectives of the School Travel Plan reach fruition. For more information on how you can join the Task Force, please contact the Safe Routes to School Task Force at Mansfield Litter Prevention & Recycling at: 419.755.9699 or e-mail at: srts@mansfieldcity.com