Needham Street traffic, in Dedham, often sees cars and trucks speeding past the Riverdale Elementary School at 30 to 45 mph, despite being a signed school zone, and having a raised speed table in place.Dedham’s Active Transportation Working Group (ATWG) was looking for a low cost, but elegant solution, to this safety hazard. They found it in the Mass Government’s Safe Routes to School program.
The ATWG planned a mural as a low cost, temporary intervention to promote traffic calming in the area and received two grants to implement the project. They also received funding from the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club for paint for the project.
The mural, created by Kate Bergeron and Jaimie Varasconi, also known as The Collab, was partially inspired by the Rotarian’s Annual Duck Race on the Charles and features several rubber ducks on a stylized river. The traffic calming mural should last between 6 months and 2 years.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club meets around the Neponset Valley area and consists of members from Dedham, Norwood, Roslindale, and more. The club’s mission is to raise funds through various events to support scholarships at Blue Hills Technical High School, Dedham High School and to support other non-profits in the area. Their regular meeting is Wednesday at 7am, at the Sheraton Fourpoints in Norwood. They host local and national speakers and also have evening socials at various locations. Get more information at www.nvsrotaryevents.org
More information about Dedham’s Active Transportation Working Group (ATWG) can be found on the town’s web site at www.dedham-ma.gov/government/town-management/active-transportation-working-group-2630 To learn more about The Collab and it’s activities, check out their links at linktr.ee/_ _thecollab
In the photo: From left to right back row Howard Ostroff (ATWG), Bryan Plummer (Vice Chair, ATWG), Michael Thornton (NVSR), Michael Podolsi (NVSR) Middle Row Jack Hoell (NVSR), Bob Blood (NVSR) Danielle DeLuca (Chair, ATWG) Kate Bergeron, Jaimie Varasconi (Both from @__TheCollab) Photo by mckeephotography.com