The Ondara Town Council, through the Departments of Education and Childhood, Adolescence and Youth, launches during the school year 2026-2027 The Safe School Routes project, "Walking to school is much better!", was presented by Rosa Ana Marí and Jordi Ruiz, councilors for Education and Youth respectively, along with municipal technicians Pedro Gil and Xelo Castellano. Its objective is to encourage students to walk to school in a safe, healthy, and sustainable way.
Participatory design and specific routes
The design of these routes is the result of work begun last year with a participatory activity involving primary school students. In this activity, the children helped identify on a map the usual routes to school and the points that required special attention.
Based on those contributions, the municipal departments of Education, Childhood and Youth, in coordination with UrbanismThey have reviewed and defined the routes that will now begin to be effectively implemented. The routes will have different starting and meeting points, designed as reference points for students and families from where to begin the journey to the CEIP Sanchis Guarner.
The project has initially been structured into three routes differentiated by colorswith the intention that they can be progressively expanded thanks to the participation of the educational community. The planned routes are as follows:
- Blue Route: Starting at Font de la Carxofa, with meeting point at Banquets Olivera 030.
- Red Route: Starting at Plaza 9 d'Octubre, with meeting point at Plaza de la Pilota.
- Green Route: Starting at CEIP Les Marjals, with the meeting point on Avenida Alicante.
In addition, an information panel has been installed at the exit of the CEIP Sanchis Guarner school indicating the routes back home for each of the schools.
Signage and environmental benefits
Signage for the project has already begun with the installation of the first identification panels. These feature the Raboseta, which has become the distinctive image of the safe routes to school.
This character is inspired by the popular history from the Raboseta de Pamis and will serve as an attractive visual element for children to easily identify landmarks along the routes. The project will soon be completed with the addition of footprints in the pavement. These will mark the routes. payments and will allow users to intuitively follow the routes from the different starting points to the educational center.
The Education and Youth Departments have emphasized that this initiative aims to foster independence among schoolchildren. It also seeks to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce vehicle traffic around schools, and contribute to more environmentally friendly mobility.
Awareness-raising and participation promotion activity
The implementation of safe school routes will culminate in a dissemination and awareness-raising activity that is being prepared for the occasion of Sustainable Mobility DayThe aim is to publicize the project among families, students and citizens, as well as to raise awareness about the importance of reviving walking within the municipality.
The Ondara Town Council encourages families and students to participate in this initiative. It is designed to grow and aims to make the routes to school safer, more educational, and healthier for the entire community.
