E D U C A T I O N
The People Street
5th Grade Civic Engagement Project, Nov 2024
TRAIL UPDATES
On December 18, 2024 we met with COSA Transportation Department rep Josh Jaeshke and presented our vision, collected data and priority of trail concern - safety. Currently (Feb 2025), S.M.A.R.T. has secured a light donor. Dalkia EDF Group has committed to placing 4 programmable solar light posts to illuminate the darkest portions of the trail. When community comes together great things happen... the work continues.
STORY
In September 2024, S.M.A.R.T. embarked on a civic engagment project with Briscoe Elementary 5th Grade S.M.A.R.T. students . They were asked to evaluate and design the bike trail alongside their school. Involving community partners and Councilwoman Teri Castillo, we began the journey.
Watch our trail exploration video!
Step 1.
How would you design it?
September 2024, S.M.A.R.T. 4th grade students set out to evaluate the unfinished bike trail near their school. Dividing into 3 groups: Education, Safety and Community Engagement they were asked to assess and offer observations and ideas that will make the trail fully functional and engaging.
Step 2.
Student Charrette
After walking the trail, we convened with printed trail renderings. We spent the morning meeting with our Councilwoman sketching and sharing ideas which were then collected and assessed by Alamo Architects.
L-R: SMART Directors Yvette and Andy Benavides, Councilwoman Teri Castillo, Antonio Martinez, Rey Silva
Step 3.
Community Charrette
Nov 20, 2024
We shared our student designs, vision and data with the community. They were impressed and excited about moving the trail forward in the areas of safety, public art, community engagement and education.
Thank you Community Partners!
Briscoe Elementary, Alamo Architects, River City Produce, Bamboo Restaurant, Activate SA, Texas Green Bee, SLT Architects, Stepfresh, City of San Antonio Healthy Neighborhoods, D5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo