City of Leesburg to host meeting for Safe Routes to School grant

     LEESBURG, FL -   The City of Leesburg Public Works Department will host a meeting on Tuesday January 7^th, 2020 as part of the Safe Routes to School grant application process.  The meeting will be held at Faith Community Church located at 1107 Griffin Road from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  The public is invited to attend.

     An overview of the proposed project to install sidewalks in the neighborhoods south of Beverly Shores Elementary School will be presented.  Maps and aerial photos will be available at the meeting and city staff will be on hand to answer questions. 

     The sidewalks included in this plan will provide a safer route to school for walkers and bicycle riders.  They will also benefit the community by helping to increase safety as well as property values. 

     Applications for the grant are scored based on several factors, with community participation being a key component.  Part of that support includes a survey of parents from the school, as well as letters of support and an organization meeting. 

     The parent surveys are a vital component of the grant scoring and so far, only a small percentage of the forms that were distributed via the school have been returned.  Parents of Beverly Shores Elementary students are especially encouraged to attend the meeting to learn about the grant program and take few minutes to complete the survey form.  For those who cannot attend the meeting, versions of the form that can be completed electronically are available in both English and Spanish at the following links :

     English:  https://leesburg.victoriaforms.com/v/ParentSurveyEng

     Spanish:  https://leesburg.victoriaforms.com/v/ParentSurveyEsp

     If you are unable to attend the meeting on January 7^th and have questions about the grant or how to obtain  or complete a survey form, please contact Deputy Director of Public Works Neil Gaines at 352-435-9442 ext. 3211 or vial email at neil.gaines@leesburgflorida.gov .

Leesburg is a progressive city of more than 23,000 residents in northwest Lake County. The city government serves twice as many people with its electric, gas, water and wastewater public utilities. Leesburg also is a central hub for commerce, attracting 50,000 people to work each weekday. For more information, visit www.leesburgflorida.gov.