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   REMER, MN – Northland Community Schools is one of fifteen schools in Minnesota that will benefit from planning assistance supporting the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. Safe Routes to School is an international program designed to improve safety, reduce traffic congestion around schools, increase physical activity, and enhance health by making it easier for students to walk or bicycle to school. 

   Planning assistance grants provide communities with the resources to convene a team, understand key issues, prioritize strategies, and identify solutions tailored to local needs. “Thanks to this funding, students across the state can learn how to do these lifelong, foundational activities in a safer setting, and embrace active modes of transportation,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger.

   SRTS plays a vital role in supporting the safety and well-being of students in Remer, Minnesota, where limited infrastructure and rural road conditions can create barriers to walking and biking. By improving pedestrian crossings, trail connections, and signage, the SRTS program helps ensure that students have safe, accessible, and reliable routes to and from school. In a community like Remer, where schools serve as a central hub for families and local events, SRTS investments strengthen community connectivity, promote healthier lifestyles, and foster greater independence for children while reducing traffic congestion around schools. 

   Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) will assist in facilitating the planning process which will include a parent survey, an in-class student tally, walking audits to identify potential infrastructure deficiencies, a school zone hazard observational assessment, identification of issues and barriers, and an information sharing event the Trunk or Treat Event on October 31, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northland Community Education, 316 E. Main Street in Remer. 

   If you are interested in participating in the Northland Community Schools planning team in Remer, contact Kevin Behrens at 218-884-0998 or via email at [email protected].

   Northland Community Schools wants to continue improving students’ safety and well-being by understanding potential barriers to walking or biking to school. Share your insights by completing the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/Q3QKX26 

   For more details on Safe Routes to School, visit https://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes/index.html.

About Region Five Development Commission

   The Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) is a high-performing, regionally focused partner committed to enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Region 5 through resilient, collaborative, and inclusive approaches to regional community development, economic development, and transportation initiatives. R5DC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit regionfive.org to learn more.

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