Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
The first Slow Down for Newtown event was held in the heart of the Borough on Saturday.
The event was a product of Newtown Borough’s Traffic and Parking Committee. The committee is made up of residents of the borough who want to make the town a safer place for drivers and pedestrians alike.
“We want to promote pedestrian safety,” explained Tara Grunde-McLaughlin, a council member of the borough and member of the traffic committee.
People in town often tell officials they want to be able to cross the street safely and so do people coming in to Newtown to visit the shops, Grunde-McLaughlin said.
Saturday’s event consisted of folks coming to the tent outside of the borough’s hall and collecting a scavenger hunt type card and bag. When participants visit all 27 participating businesses, they can return to the borough hall and get raffle tickets to enter for nine prize baskets available. Even if pedestrians don’t win the raffles, businesses supplied coupons and offers for when participants visit their business.
“We’re also happy to be bringing awareness to the businesses,” Grunde-McLaughlin said.
By noon, 35 people had visited the event. No one had returned with a finished card, but members of the committee would start collecting feedback once they returned.
“If we get 50, I’ll be thrilled,” said Mike Bergey, another member of the traffic and parking committee. The plan is to go annual and get a bigger turnout and awareness every year, he told NewtownPANow.com.
“It’s coming together, and next year, it will be even better,” Bergey said.
The committee argues that pedestrian awareness is a real problem in Newtown Borough.
Anne McKernan, the third current member of the committee, mentioned that the has almost been hit multiple times while walking through the borough.
Speeding and pedestrian safety has been a ongoing issue in Newtown. Borough police often hold traffic details and the council purchased magnets advising drivers to slow down several years back.
Grunde-McLaughlin mentioned that the committee is always looking for new members.
