School drop-off and pick-up can be some of the busiest, most rushed moments of the day. But what if the street outside a school could feel calmer, safer, and more welcoming instead?
This fall, two Ottawa schools are trying something different. Under a new City of Ottawa process, EnviroCentre is launching Ottawa’s first School Streets pilots, helping reimagine the space in front of schools to put kids’ health, safety, and independence first.
A School Street temporarily closes a section of road to through traffic during drop-off and/or pick-up times, creating more space for children and families to walk, bike, and roll to school. Temporary barriers and volunteers keep the street open only to those who need it, such as residents and emergency vehicles.
The pilots at a glance
Trille des Bois Public Elementary School
Hopewell Avenue Public School
Why School Streets?
School Streets are a proven way to support active and sustainable transportation while improving safety, well-being, and independence for school-aged children.
The approach is simple and low-cost, requiring no construction or permanent road changes. In communities across Canada, School Streets have helped reduce congestion, improve air quality, increase walking and cycling, and create a calmer start and end to the school day.
Part of a national movement
The pilots are part of the National Active School Streets Initiative (NASSI), funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and led by Green Communities Canada.
Ottawa is joining a growing network of Canadian communities already running School Streets, including Vancouver, Hamilton, Markham, Kingston, and Montreal. In other Canadian programs, students have overwhelmingly supported the continuation of School Streets after experiencing them firsthand.
What happens next?
These pilots are an opportunity to learn what School Streets could look like in Ottawa.
Throughout the pilot period, EnviroCentre will gather feedback from residents, families, and school communities to better understand local accessibility, safety, and transportation needs. Community surveys will be available before and after the pilots to help measure their impact and inform future opportunities.
Have questions about how a School Street works or what to expect on your street?