Posts tagged Friday
Boulder celebrates Colorado Children’s Day
Apr 26th
For the fifth straight year, Boulder will host a Colorado Children’s Day festival on Friday, April 29 (rain date is April 30), on the Pearl Street Mall between 13th and 14th streets from noon to 4 p.m. This fun and entertaining event will offer free activities to children through elementary school age provided by children-focused City of Boulder departments and programs, community agencies, nonprofit organizations and local businesses.
Ken Hotaling, Kiwanis of Boulder and co-chair for the Colorado Children’s Day event, stated, “The purpose of this event is to reflect on the value our children bring to our lives and our future, celebrate their accomplishments and nourish them in their quest to learn.”
With more than 30 different organizations planning activities, this year’s festival is expected to top last year’s estimated attendance of 1,200 children and adults.
This event is the result of a joint effort between the City of Boulder Children, Youth and Families Division, Kiwanis Clubs of Boulder, the Boulder Valley School District and media sponsor, the Daily Camera. Children, Youth and Families is a division of the city’s Department of Housing and Human Services.
In order to encourage visitors to Colorado Children’s Day to leave their cars at home, Go Boulder and Special Transit are offering families free rides to and from the event on the HOP bus. Please visit www.goboulder.net for maps and bus schedules.
For more information and a list of the activities and participating organizations, visit the Colorado Children’s Day at Boulder Website at www.childrensdayboulder.org or email: coloradochildrensdayboulder@gmail.com
–CITY—
Photo Opportunities:
§ Children investigating a worm compost and planting seeds in take home gardens;
§ A children’s African-style performance troop with marimbas, drums, dancing and singing;
§ Children exploring a HOP bus, police car, ambulance, street sweeper, fire truck and more;
§ An instrument zoo where kids will be trying out a variety of instruments;
§ Children playing parachute games on the lawn; and
§ Children experiencing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and much, much more!
Friday is Earth Day on highway 36 to Denver
Apr 20th
36 Commuting Solutions E-Newsletter
April 2011
Friday is Earth Day! Try a Clean Commute:
carpolling, vanpooling, riding transit, bicycling, walking and teleworking!
The first ten people to reply to this message will receive a free round trip on RTD!
Did you know:
In this issue, we are focusing on sustainable transportation:
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RTD Transit Investments Move Forward
RTD is currently working on four projects for the U.S. 36 corridor: designing U.S. 36 queue jumps at three U.S. 36 interchanges, studying Transit Signal Priority at four interchanges, constructing a pedestrian bridge at Table Mesa, and removing the pedestrian canopy on the Sheridan Bridge structure over U.S. 36.
Queue jumps at three signalized interchanges along U.S. 36 are moving into the design phase: the Church Ranch Boulevard, East Flatiron Circle and McCaslin Boulevard interchanges are currently being re-packaged in response to the U.S. 36 TIGER/TIFIA project. Queue jumps will ultimately increase transit travel time savings by allowing buses to move through intersections quickly with designated lanes. RTD is coordinating with CDOT to include the queue jumps at Church Ranch Boulevard and East Flatiron Circle when construction commences in 2012. RTD will be responsible for queue jumps on McCaslin Boulevard.
RTD has received six proposals to study Transit Signal Priority on U.S. 36. The intent of the study is to see if a Transit Signal Priority system at certain, or all, intersections would result in decreased transit travel time, improved schedule adherence and reduced operating costs. RTD anticipates focusing the study on interchanges at Sheridan Boulevard, Church Ranch Boulevard, 96th Street and McCaslin Boulevard. The study will allow RTD to determine which interchanges will ultimately receive Transit Signal Priority as part of the U.S. 36 TIGER/TIFIA project.
Currently, the Table Mesa pedestrian bridge project is in RTD’s procurement office, which coordinates bids and proposals for RTD projects. The Table Mesa pedestrian bridge will improve mobility, pedestrian connectivity and reduce travel time delay for regional bus routes along the U.S. 36 Corridor. The new pedestrian bridge will reduce travel time for Denver-bound trips by 3-4 minutes. The pedestrian bridge will result in approximately $100,000 savings each year in transit operations.
The U.S. 36 & Sheridan Boulevard Bridge Pedestrian Canopy Removal is also in RTD’s procurement office, and will be advertised for bids in the next month. The Sheridan pedestrian canopy was installed in 1987 for RTD patrons to cross over U.S. 36 to the Westminster Center Park-n-Ride located on the south side of U.S. 36. In the mid-1990’s, RTD constructed a pedestrian bridge over U.S. 36 to the east side of Sheridan Boulevard, providing a safer and better access for RTD patrons.
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RTD Launches Smart Card Pilot Program in Boulder
In May, RTD will pilot a Smart Card program on several routes in the Boulder area. This pilot program will last two weeks, and will give RTD a preliminary assessment of the technology.
Smart Card technology, which is used by transit agencies in many U.S. cities already (Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, Washington DC), will make fare collection more convenient and streamlined for RTD passengers, and will make the distribution of fare products like monthly passes easier for commuters.
Currently, RTD is looking for 850 volunteer participants for the Smart Card pilot program. For the first pilot, participants should be Eco Pass holders, and must be willing to collect and report data on Smart Card/sticker use, to share email and phone contact information for follow-up by RTD, and to record and report observations. All information collected during the test phase will be completely confidential and contact information will be destroyed at the completion of the test phase.
RTD will pilot the following routes in the Boulder area:
If your organization is interested in participating in the pilot program, please contact Chris Cruz, RTD Smart Media Customer Service Call Center Supervisor, at RTD-SmartMedia@celinainc.com or call 303-299-CARD (2273).
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Member Spotlight: Boulder Area Realtor® Association
The Boulder Area Realtor ® Association has been a member of 36 Commuting Solutions since the organization’s founding in 1998. The Boulder Area Realtor® Association represents 1050 Realtors®in the Boulder County area, and has played an active role in educating members about changes in local, state, and national policies and trends since the association was founded in 1948.
The Boulder Area Realtor® Association is a member of the National Association of Realtors ®, which recently released data demonstrating a marked preference for “Smart Growth Communities” in home buyers. A survey of over 2,000 adult Americans considering a home purchase found that 77 percent of respondents would look for neighborhoods with pedestrian connectivity, and 50 percent would rather see transit improvements than new roads and developments.
“In representing area Realtors®, the Boulder Area Realtor® Association understands the integral role transportation plays in the market,” says Ken Hotard, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “The U.S. 36 TIGER/TIFIA project is an essential start to building a multi-modal highway. We are proud to support the U.S. 36 Coalition as it works to improve this crucial corridor.”
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Your Guide to Commuting by Bike, Part 1: Westminster Trail System
The City of Westminster has been expanding its off-street trail network since 1985, when Westminster voters approved a sales tax to fund park land acquisition and build regional trails. Twenty-six years later, Westminster boasts a wonderful system of trails: there are over 74 miles of off-street trails, connecting to Denver metro trails and other U.S. 36 communities. This trail system provides off-street connectivity throughout Westminster, and includes three major trail systems. Below is a guide to these three major Westminster Trails.
In May, the City of Westminster will demonstrate the importance of bicycling by approving the city’s firstbicycle master plan. This plan will pave the way to expand Westminster’s extensive off-street bicycle network to include new and safer on-road facilities. The Draft Bicycle Master Plan includes recommendations on connections to the existing trail system, way-finding signage, on-street facilities like pavement markings and signage, and bicycle parking.
RTD FlexPass Program
RTD’s FlexPass program provides a flexible way for employers to promote transit to their employees. The FlexPass program provides employers with the ability to purchase as many RTD monthly passes as they need, and includes up to 20% off the purchase price. Additionally, the number of passes purchased each month can vary, making the program even more flexible.
There are three different discounts available through the RTD FlexPass program:
Employers participate in the RTD FlexPass program by signing a 12-month agreement. This agreement does not state the number of passes that an employer must purchase or the minimum amount that an employer must spend, and only establishes the discounts that the employer will receive for the duration of the agreement.
If you are interested in the RTD FlexPass program, please contact Catherine atcatherine@36commutingsolutions.org.
What’s New with 36 Commuting Solutions
The May Steering Committee Meeting will be May 10 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the 1st BANK Center in the Mountain View Room. Please see the 2011 Meeting Schedule and Directions.
The Bike to Work Day website is open for registration to employer coordinators. You can register your organization using last year’s login or by registering for the first time. Employer coordinators establish their organization as a network for Bike to Work Day, allowing employees to affiliate and compete against other regional organizations for participation.
The U.S. 36 Coalition has achieved a great deal, but it is our members who make us strong. We need your support to advocate for U.S. 36 and RTD FasTracks completion.
Stay up-to-date on U.S. 36 advocacy, programs and sustainable travel options by liking the 36 Commuting Solutions Facebook page: www.facebook.com/36commutingsolutions. |
Boulder “Tree City USA” for 27th consecutive year
Apr 8th
Boulder “Tree City USA” for 27th consecutive year; offers Arbor Day activities
Frosted trees in Boulder
Boulder has been named “Tree City USA” for the 27th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in honor of the city’s commitment to community forestry.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department Urban Forestry unit celebrates the Arbor Day season with a children’s art exhibit and tree plantings, planned for April 11 through April 30.
In cooperation with the city’s Urban Forestry unit and Water Conservation office, the Center for Resource Conservation is offering a “Trees Across Boulder” online tree sale. Residents can learn more and order a tree at www.conservationcenter.org.
Activity schedule/photo opportunities:
Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 22
Children’s artwork celebrating Arbor Day will be on display in the Children’s Library at the Main Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave. The artwork was created by fourth and fifth grade students from Jessica Bernstein’s class at High Peaks Elementary School. Library hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Monday, April 11 through Friday, May 20
Parks and Recreation will plant 520 trees into city parks, including 135 trees at East Boulder Community Park and 269 trees at Valmont City Park.
Monday, April 11 through Friday, May 20
· Parks and Recreation will plant more than 215 trees in street rights-of-way in both residential and commercial sites throughout the city.
Monday, April 11 through Friday, April 15
Parks and Recreation and Public Works Department-Transportation Division will plant more than 30 new trees along Broadway, between Pine Street and Iris Avenue. This is part of an in-fill street tree planting program and is follow-up work to the Broadway (Pine-Iris) Reconstruction Project.
Wednesday, April 13
9 to 10:30 a.m. – Students from the Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies and High Peaks Elementary School will be planting 12 trees in Aurora 7 Park (Aurora Avenue and 38th Street).
Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22
· Parks and Recreation and Public Works Department-Transportation will be planting 83 trees in the Foothills Parkway center median between Baseline Road and Table Mesa. The City of Boulder received a $5,000 grant from The Mile Hi Million Program with the City of Denver to purchase the trees.
Thursday, April 21
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Students from Alexander Dawson School will be planting 20 trees at Salberg Park (3045 19th Street) and Valmont Park (Valmont Avenue and Airport Road).
Saturday, April 30
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Volunteers from the Boulder Yamagata Sakura Project will be planting 30 Somai Yoshino cherry trees at Martin Park (36th Street and Eastman Ave.). The trees were donated by the Boulder Yamagata Sakura Project and will be planted along the Boulder Creek Path. The public is welcome.
For more information about these Arbor Day events, contact Shelly Ruspakka, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7214.
