Photos: City Officials Join El Marino Kids for Walk ‘N Roll Wednesday

Close to 50 children, parents, local officials – and one dog – turned out Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. to participate in the monthly Walk ‘n Roll Wednesday program.

They rose early and came on bicycles, on scooters and on foot to support the newly implemented program that encourages students to bike and walk to school more frequently. 

Among the attendees were Mayor Micheal O’Leary who donned a tracksuit and rode his bicycle, Councilman Andrew Weissman, newly elected School Board member Nancy Goldberg, several members of the City’s Public Works department and City Manager John Nachbar.

The officials met up with one group of parents and kids at the U.S. bank at the corner of Sawtelle and Sepulveda boulevards. After a brief safety talk, the group headed out down Berryman Avenue towards the school. A second group of Walk ‘n Rollers started out at Sawtelle Boulevard and Culver Drive at the top of the bridge over Ballona Creek so those cycling down the bike path could join in. 

Walk ‘n Roll is the brainchild of local parent Jim Shanman, whose two daughters attend El Marino.  The non-profit organization aims to empower school age children and their parents through education and safety training to safely and responsibly bike, walk, skate and scoot to and from school.

Walk ‘n Rollers also provides safety education workshops and materials to schools and community groups throughout L.A. County, and Shanman hopes the organization will eventually be able to implement Walk ‘n Rollers throughout L.A. County.

Wednesday’s Walk ‘n Roll marked the third month since the program was implemented and Shanman told Patch he was thrilled with the turnout.

“It’s only the third time,” he said. “On our first walk [in October] it poured with rain, so to get over 50 people today is pretty impressive.”

Arriving at the school, the kids all stood behind a huge banner proclaiming ‘El Marino’s Walk ‘n Roll Wednesdays.’ Shanman then handed out flashing light buttons to all the kids who participated so they could pin them on their backpacks or attach them to their bicycles.

Eight-year-old Nixa Starr who came to school on her bright pink scooter proudly displayed her button and said she loved Walk ‘n Roll Wednesdays.

“It’s so great that I get to do it all by myself,” she said. “And even if you get behind the other kids you can run and catch up.”

El Marino Principal Tracy Pumilia was on hand at the entrance to the school as the kids arrived.

“It’s great that Jim [Shanman] is spearheading this drive to make us all aware of the ability to walk and ride to school,” she said.  “We’re encouraging all families to participate and to also understand the importance of doing this safely.”

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