The community is invited to join the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) in partnership with the city of Lompoc and Lompoc Unified School District at an event to open Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program.
The event, called Vecindarios y Calles Seguras (Safe Neighborhoods & Safe Streets), will be offered in Spanish only, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 14 in the Lompoc Gardens community meeting room, 300 W. College Ave.
Residents are urged to learn more about the program and provide comments and ideas. Attendees will be invited on a walk around the neighborhood with Capt. Arias of the Lompoc Police Department.
Other agencies attending include the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, CalFresh Healthy Living, and Santa Barbara County Promotores Network.
The multi-agency partnership secured nearly $3 million in grant funds from CalTrans Active Transportation Program to promote safety and walkability in the heart of Lompoc.
The funding will also be used over the next three years to create improved pedestrian infrastructure, making Lompoc more accessible.
The Active Transportation Program will implement a comprehensive program including education and outreach events, new sidewalks and crosswalks, as well as the installation of new crosswalk signals, signs, and lighting.
The goal is to create a safe community where people can easily walk or bike to work, school, or recreation activities.
“We look forward to helping the pedestrian environment improve in Lompoc and are glad for the changes that the new infrastructure and programs will provide,” said city civil engineer Joshua Leard.
Brenda Villa, LVCHO community program manager, encourages residents to participate: “Let’s work together towards making our community a healthier, safer, and happier place to live.”
A similar session will be held later this year in English, she said.
The nonprofit LVCHO, which has served the Lompoc Valley for 25 years, facilitates the Healthy Lompoc Coalition and works to ensure equitable access to health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment services.
For more, visit www.healthylompoc.org.