Safe Routes to School

What Is Safe Routes to School? 

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is strategy to make walking and bicycling to and from school safer, easier, and more fun for students. Examples of SRTS activities include improving the physical infrastructure around schools and educating students and their families about the benefits of walking and biking. The goal of the SRTS is to get more students actively commuting to and from school, improve safety, and increase health and physical activity. 

More information about SRTS, its history, and benefits can be found on the Safe Routes Partnership website.

What Is Happening in Casa Grande? 

The Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (SCMPO) was recently awarded funding from Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)’s Transportation Alternatives Grant Program to pursue a SRTS study for public, charter, and private K-12 schools within the City of Casa Grande. The grant has provided the City of Casa Grande, in partnership with the SCMPO, with resources to convene a project team, provide field studies (walk audits) at each school, solicit input via the City Web Page, attendance at public events, develop and prioritize strategies, and provide clear, implementable recommendations to create safer, more comfortable walking and bicycling options for Casa Grande students, their families, and residents. 

What Has Happened So Far? 

Walk audits are a valuable way for school staff, students, and families to share their experiences with traveling to and from school. These guided assessments help identify barriers, challenges, and safety concerns related to walking, bicycling, and driving near campuses. The feedback collected provides important insight that will guide future improvements to create safer and more accessible routes for all.

Fall 2025

The project team will conduct walk audits at the following remaining schools:

• Casa Grande Middle School 
• Casa Grande Union High School 
• Cholla Elementary School 
• Desert Willow Elementary School 
• Evergreen Elementary School 
• Ironwood Elementary School 
• McCartney Ranch Elementary School 
• Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic School 
• Villago Middle School 
• Vista Grande High School 
• Mary C O'Brien Elementary School (virtual)

Spring 2025 

Throughout April and May, the project team conducted walk audits at 10 schools at the following schools: 

• Mission Heights Preparatory High School 
• Grande Innovation Academy 
• Pinnacle High School - Casa Grande 
• PPEP TEC - Alice S Paul Learning Center 
• Cactus Middle School
• Legacy Traditional School - Casa Grande 
• Palo Verde Elementary School 
• Saguaro Elementary School 
• Mesquite Elementary School 
• Cottonwood Elementary School 

How Can I Get Involved? 

Share Your Input. We want to hear from you! Whether you walk, bike, drive, or take another form of transportation, your feedback helps us understand community needs and identify opportunities to improve safety and mobility around local schools. 

Join Us for Future Walk Audits. Community walk audits help us learn about barriers and challenges to walking and biking. School staff, parents/caregivers, and community members are encouraged to participate or share feedback online. Stay tuned for future opportunities to join these efforts. 

Connect at Community Events. Meet our team at local events throughout the year to share your thoughts on transportation safety and learn more about our ongoing work. Check back regularly for upcoming events and ways to get involved.