I am the Safe Routes to School Manager for the Hood River County School District and connecting the Indian Creek Trail to the high school is a top 3 goal for me personally, our program and this community. I am the mother of a sophomore at HRVHS and she rides her E-bike to school on Indian Creek Road, which is fraught with vehicle perils. The county also has a plan to create a separated path on Indian Creek Road, but until that happens, the Indian Creek Trail would be a viable off-road and safe alternative for students, K-12, who live in The Heights to get to the high school for school or after school activities. The well being benefit to our community would be immeasurable. Children who walk or bike to school have higher social connections and concentration skills throughout the day. According to a 2024 study, children who are exposed to nature on a daily basis as part of their regular routine "reported significantly higher self-worth and positive feelings" (Zhongqi Chen, July 2024). This is our chance to preserve a natural area and realize a longtime goal of our community for our children.