Hannah Carroll’s two kids are excited that classes are beginning again at Anna Brochhausen School 88.
But, the traffic that speeds along East 16th Street in front of the eastside elementary school makes their mom nervous. Carroll said she’s seen drivers regularly disregard the crossing guard in front of the school, and the flashing lights at each of the street’s crosswalks don’t seem to help much.
“It’s scary,” Carroll said. “I’m just afraid somebody’s kid is gonna get hit one day.”
It’s one of the reasons why leaders of the Community Heights Neighborhood Organization have developed multiple traffic calming and tactical urbanism projects designed to encourage drivers to slow down in front of the school.
And now, with the help of a $10,000 grant from local nonprofit Health by Design, the neighborhood group is supplementing its physical efforts with revamped community events.
Twice a year, Community Heights partners with Anna Brochhausen to organize a “Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day” that encourages physical activity and teaches transportation safety. The next event is coming up Oct. 8.
It comes at a good time — just after students start a new school year and activity picks up on neighboring streets. IPS’ first day is Aug. 4.
Organizers are already planning ahead for their next event. With support from their Health by Design grant, this spring’s “Bike, Walk, Roll to School Day” featured a guided bike ride through Community Heights led by Indy historian Sampson Levingston. This fall, the organization plans to put grant funds toward an upgraded bike obstacle course.
“The kids love biking,” said Leslie Schulte, a member of the neighborhood board. “There’s always music. Folks decorate their bikes for the event, and then we have the obstacle course where kids can get exercise and have a great time before they head to class.”
It’s an idea other neighborhood groups and schools could pursue now that Health by Design is accepting applications for its second round of its Safe Routes to School grant funding.
Community Heights reminds drivers to slow down
The colorful, geometric mural outside Anna Brochhausen isn’t there just to brighten up the street. It’s an effort to get drivers to slow down before they cross in front of the school.
The street is both a busy connector for eastsiders commuting downtown and for IPS students who live in the neighborhoods just north of Anna Brochhausen and walk or bike to school.
The Community Heights Neighborhood Organization painted its mural on the pavement of the eastbound lane of 16th Street a couple of years ago.
The mural, created by artist Deonna Craig, features an ode to the school’s mascot — a Brochhausen bee. It’s meant to keep drivers’ attention focused on the road rather than a cell phone or other distractions.
Four oak trees were also placed as a temporary installation in the center turn lane of 16th Street to discourage drivers from passing other cars during traffic-heavy school drop-off and pick-up hours.
Though the trees have since been replanted elsewhere in the neighborhood, the mural remains. Its asphalt coating lasts about three years before needing recoated, Schulte said, and it has a protective effect that prevents potholes. The coating also includes reflective beads for visibility at night.
School zone safety
Some schools are back in session. IPS starts Aug. 4. Here’s what to know when driving near schools.
⚠️ Slow down to posted speed limits — usually 25 mph — when you reach a school zone.
🚍 Stop for school buses! That means when their lights flash yellow or red, and when their stop arm is extended.
🚸 Don’t block crosswalks when stopped in traffic. That could prevent kids from crossing safely.
🛑 Watch for instructions from crossing guards, and be sure to stop if they present a stop sign.
Using a speed gun, the neighborhood organization studied traffic and found speeds decreased after the mural’s installation
“Because you can see it from blocks away, it really makes you look up,” Schulte said. “It shows that folks in Community Heights care.”
The Community Heights Neighborhood Organization used other grants to fund these projects, but it’s the type of creative thinking the Safe Routes to School grant program hopes to inspire among other communities.
Applying for Safe Routes to School
Health by Design runs its Safe Routes to School Program with funding granted by the Indiana Department of Health’s Division of Health Innovation Partnerships and Programs.
Schools, community groups and local governments across Indiana can apply now for $10,000 to $20,000 in grant funds to support ideas that make it safer, easier and more fun for kids to bike, roll or walk to school.
Eligible activities could include infrastructure improvements, tactical urbanism projects, community programs and equipment, like bicycles, to use in physical education courses.
The current application window is open until Aug. 22. See Health by Design’s website for more information.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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