August 1, 2025

Jacksonville Schools Implement Traffic Gardens for Safety

News Summary

Jacksonville is enhancing road safety for children through innovative traffic gardens at schools. This initiative, a collaboration with the Blue Zones Project, teaches vital road navigation skills to young citizens. By creating miniature streetscapes on school grounds, the program provides engaging, hands-on experiences to promote pedestrian safety. With Jacksonville’s history of pedestrian accidents, the initiative aligns with the Vision Zero project aimed at reducing traffic deaths. Local muralists contribute to creating artistic designs that further enhance safety awareness. The program also aims to influence children’s road safety habits at home.

Jacksonville is taking innovative steps to enhance road safety for its young citizens through a program known as traffic gardens. These interactive, miniature streetscapes are being implemented at several school campuses to teach children vital road navigation skills and promote awareness of pedestrian safety.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the city and the Blue Zones Project, which focuses on improving the health and well-being of communities. By transforming sections of school grounds into outdoor classrooms featuring painted crosswalks and road markers, the program provides students with hands-on experiences that reinforce important traffic safety lessons.

Jacksonville has been identified as one of the deadliest cities for pedestrians over the last two decades, underscoring the urgent need for such safety measures. The growing concern over pedestrian accidents has prompted the city to adopt the Vision Zero project, an initiative aimed at reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries by 50% by the year 2035.

Among the schools participating in the traffic garden program is John E. Ford Elementary School, which is one of three locations where these colorful, scaled-down roads are currently in place. According to Marlo Zarka of the Blue Zones Project Jacksonville, engaging youth in road safety education is crucial, as they represent a vulnerable population in traffic scenarios.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the traffic garden initiative, it faces some challenges. A recent memorandum from the Department of Transportation expressed concerns over “non-standard surface markings,” suggesting that they might distract drivers. The memo also cautioned against using markings that convey social or political messages, as this could potentially jeopardize state funding for transportation projects.

However, evidence suggests that creative traffic interventions, such as asphalt art, can significantly improve safety. A study published by Bloomberg noted a 50% reduction in traffic crashes in areas that implemented such artistic modifications. In line with this data, a crosswalk was painted near R.L. Brown Elementary to improve safety for students at the school and raise community awareness about road safety.

Local muralist David Nackashi, who was involved in the project, highlighted the critical nature of traffic safety awareness for both children and the wider community. These artistic endeavors not only beautify the environment but also serve practical purposes in educating the public about road safety.

The benefits of these traffic gardens extend beyond school campuses. They have the potential to influence children’s behavior at home, as students share their newfound knowledge with family members. This ripple effect aims to elevate overall safety consciousness within households and neighborhoods.

City officials are currently assessing the implications of updated federal guidance on future traffic safety initiatives, which could shape the direction of similar projects moving forward. The traffic garden initiative exemplifies how effective traffic safety education can be delivered through engaging, interactive experiences, ensuring that students learn vital skills in a memorable and impactful manner.

As Jacksonville adopts more creative approaches to improve road safety, the ongoing commitment to pedestrian and youth safety is expected to foster a more informed and safer community for all.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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