FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The City of Springfield’s SGF Yields pedestrian safety program and area neighborhoods are inviting families to let their lights shine this October during National Pedestrian Safety Month and enjoy a Lantern Walk safety event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 in various neighborhoods throughout the community.
October has been designated as National Pedestrian Safety Month by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. In 2021, SGF Yields began hosting lantern walks to combat the national trend of increasing pedestrian fatalities by creating a neighborhood-lead walking event that teaches children and adults about safe walking and driving habits.
The main lantern walk event will be hosted at 6:30 p.m. at Phelps Grove Park (950 E. Bennett St.) where families will have the opportunity to play games, join a 0.3 mile parade and learn about pedestrian safety along the way. Parking is available at Phelps Grove Park. Families interested in taking a longer, guided stroll are encouraged to join a neighborhood lantern train at various times beginning at 6 p.m. at a nearby elementary school and leading to Phelps Grove Park (Sunshine Elementary, Delaware Elementary and Rountree Elementary).
Lantern Walks will also take place across Springfield, passing through Commercial Street, led by the Woodland Heights and Robberson neighborhoods and in West Central, Galloway and Brentwood neighborhoods.
Lanterns can easily be crafted at home, or families are invited to attend a free lantern making workshop 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 in the Springfield Art Museum Community Room. Springfield Environmental Services will help show families how to upcycle soda bottles into beautiful lanterns. No registration is required.
For more information visit springfieldmo.gov/lanternwalk.
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For more information, contact Communication Coordinator Kristen Milam at 573-819-3713 or [email protected] or Mandy Buettgen-Quinn at 417-576-4302 or [email protected].