National Walk To School Day a small-town success

A giant dinosaur and the Manchester coyote encouraged kids to “Walk on the Wild Side” this year on October 2nd for National Walk to School Day.

They say it takes a village.

And it did. Well, then you can throw in some local clergy, fire department volunteers, school board and village council members, police, school staff and administration, parents, and even retired teachers, and you get a pretty good idea of what it took to pull off a successful Walk to School Wednesday on one of the most monumental days of the “walk-to-school” year! There were more than 120 participants in the long lineup of students who walked to Klager, Riverside, and even the Junior/Senior High School.

Oh, yes. Plus a coyote…and a couple of dinosaurs.

This year’s theme, “Walk on the Wild Side,” brought out some wild creatures along with the kids and adults. The famed Manchester Coyote made an appearance starting off at Wurster Park, which was a real crowd pleaser, and the large dinosaur greeted walkers at Chi-Bro Park on October 2.

Coordinator Kathy O’Mara said, “I was pleased with the turnout, and I think everyone had a good time.”

Last week included Day 10 of this year’s Walk to School program and at least five of the Monday-Wednesday-Friday students are still in the running for “perfect attendance” this school year! Prizes are awarded to students at 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 days of walking (if we don’t end up with too many snow days this year). O’Mara and her volunteers are proud of all the walkers, including the Tuesday-Thursday walkers who get off the buses at the high school to start their days with a walk to Klager or Riverside.

Join us in discovering your own “wild side,” starting 7:30 am at Wurster Park in front of the Gazebo and 7:45 am, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Chi-Bro Park by the Shared Use Trail.

And watch for some of the Walk to School participants appearing in Friday’s Homecoming Parade, starting at 5 pm on Main Street.

Kathy O’Mara (left), Chris Fegan, Pat Vaillencourt, Bill Kerns, and Dana Andrews with the Manchester Coyote.

Walk-to-School coordinator Kathy O’Mara shows off her own wild side with a dinosaur toy.

Riverside walkers enjoyed their morning stroll!

Bike riders to Riverside eagerly wait their time to cross at Woodland Way.

Wurster Park walkers (and riders) set off for National Walk to School Day on Oct. 2.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.