Exciting Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Projects Rolling Out across Itasca County this Summer
June 12, 2025
It’s shaping up to be a transformational summer for student safety and active transportation in Itasca County. Thanks to the 2025–2026 SRTS Boost Grant, the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative–Community Education is partnering with local cities and schools to implement several exciting improvements.
A collaboration with the city of Cohasset—recipient of an infrastructure grant—will bring new sidewalks and a pedestrian crosswalk near local schools, making it safer for students to walk and bike. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids Middle School will use its own infrastructure funding to redesign its student drop-off area and parking lot, further enhancing safety for active commuters.
Cohasset Elementary will soon be home to a brand-new traffic garden—a miniature streetscape where students can safely learn the rules of the road. This will join the existing traffic gardens at East and West Elementary Schools.
In addition to infrastructure projects, SHIP partners are working to expand bike access and education. The Collaborative will be purchasing an "All Abilities Bike Fleet" for use across districts in Itasca County—helping ensure every student has the opportunity to participate in biking activities, regardless of ability.
Anne Campbell, SRTS Coordinator with the Itasca Area Schools Collaborative, has already been hard at work this spring. She brought the "All-Kids Bike Fleet"—featuring balance-to-pedal bikes—to Bigfork Elementary and Hill City Elementary in late April and early May. Currently, students at Deer River are enjoying the fleet, while Nashwauk-Keewatin students have been riding theirs and even sharing with nearby Marble and Taconite Pre-K classes.
To round out a season of active fun, Cohasset Elementary celebrated Walk & Bike to School Day on May 7 with school-wide participation. Every Physical Education class joined in a walk around the school and surrounding neighborhood, paired with a lesson on the importance of active transportation.
This summer, Itasca County is paving the way—literally and figuratively—for safer, healthier, and more connected students.