Seattle Deputy Mayor Daryl Smith, Concord Elementary principal Dr. Norma Zavala, and local artist Amaranta Ibarra-Sandys were on hand for opening ceremony of the “Little Bridge” at South Henderson in South Park.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
 

Feet First worked together with Sea Mar Community Health Center, Concord International Elementary School and the community to transform the “Little Bridge” from an eyesore: dull, rusty and overgrown, into a beautiful artist’s path rich with cultural imagery. The fence was replaced and several days were spent cleaning and painting by community members.
 
Principal Zavala was given the honor of cutting the ribbon that officially opened the “Little Bridge” while local residents waited to be the first to cross the bridge. Also speaking at the opening was Feet First Executive Director Lisa Quinn. Ms. Quinn spoke of importance walking in bringing a community together. She also pointed to Principal Zavala’s efforts in making Concord Elementary the most “Walked to school in Feet First’s Safe route to school program”.
  
South Park’s “Little Bridge” is a pedestrian walkway that spans SR99 at South Henderson St. Rather than freight and cars, this bridge carries school children, families, neighbors and friends by foot from one side of South Park to the other.
 
This project was made possible through grants from the Seattle Foundation’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor, Seattle Department of Transportation, National Center for Safe Routes to School and businesses in South Park including: Ferguson Construction, Commercial Fence Corp., Arkadia Woodworking, and Boyer Logistics. This project is part of the larger Safe Routes to School program managed by Feet First and funded through the Washington State Department of Transportation.
 
Since 2001, Feet First, a designated 501(c)3 organization, has promoted walkable communities through its Safe Routes to School program, neighborhood on foot walking maps, wayfinding and unique community engagement processes. Feet Firsts’ priority is to get people walking every day for their health, transportation, environment, community and pleasure by promoting walkable communities. 
 
For more information about Feet First go to
www.feetfirst.info