The installation of new wayfinding signage around three elementary schools in Paris (Ontario) earlier this fall generated both excitement among local residents and headlines in the local newspaper. The signs, a first for the town, are part of a larger AST pilot project implemented by the County of Brant and the City of Brantford with financial support from the Ontario Active School Travel Fund.  

The project also included the introduction of School Travel Planning at six area schools and new bike and scooter racks have been installed at select locations.  

While COVID-19 resulted in some significant setbacks and the cancellation of some planned events, it also spurred the County to create a new interactive online map which includes wayfinding sign locations, safe routes to school and new crossing guard locations introduced by the County as part of its pandemic response.   

“After many meetings and initiatives of the new Brantford-Brant Active Transportation for Schools committee, we hope to build an AST charter to be adopted by County council,” says Jake Cerson, Community Development Coordinator at the County of Brant. “This will ensure continued and sustainable approaches to future initiatives.”