Clay County proclaims Oct. 7, 2026 National Walk to School Day, principals praise safety, community benefits

The Clay County Commission recognized Oct. 7, 2026 as National Walk to School Day by adopting Honorary Resolution 2026-267 and commended North Kansas City School District and participating schools for promoting walking and safe routes. Commissioner Whittington introduced the resolution and described long-running efforts to improve sidewalks in first-annex neighborhoods.

Laura Foster, principal at Ravenwood Elementary, thanked the commission and described Walk to School Day as “a great way to bring not only safety and advocacy, but to bring our community together.” Derek Christensen, principal of Shortwell Elementary, credited neighborhood organizers and a Kansas City grant of $2,000,000 that completed a sidewalk segment and significantly improved safe passage for families near his school.

Commissioners praised the local advocates who worked on sidewalks and emphasized continuing municipal coordination to expand safe routes. The ceremony included school principals and a certificate presentation; commissioners invited community members interested in future ceremonial matters to come forward at meetings.