In a galaxy far, far away, located at a school near you… May the Fourth Be With You! Cook County Safe Routes to School Committee is hosting a Star Wars Themed Walk and Bike to School Day on Thursday, May 4. On that day, all students, families, and community members are encouraged to join in the fun by starting their day with a walk or bike ride to school, work, or anywhere. Costumes and bike decorations are optional but encouraged. No weapons are allowed and vision-obstructing masks are discouraged.

Choose from four routes of “Walking School Busses or Bike Trains” in Grand Marais heading to both Sawtooth Mountain Elementary and Great Expectations School.

If your student normally gets a ride to school, come in a little early and walk or bike with a Walking School Bus or Bike Train from one of these starting locations: The Cook County Community Center Parking Lot (7:40 a.m. departure), the Cook County Courthouse (7:30 a.m. departure), Birchwood Apartments (7:40 a.m. departure), or County Road 7 and 7th Ave. East (7:40 a.m. departure).

Students and community members are welcome to volunteer and join us along the route or meet at the starting location. Get up, get your blood flowing, and get your neurons firing! Walking or biking to school or work is a great way to start your day! Free refreshments (coffee, tea, fruit, and muffins) will be served as a thank-you to all adult volunteers. Sign up to volunteer visit https://tinyurl.com/Starwarswalkandbike.

Can’t make it to Walk and Bike to School Day on May 4? There are many opportunities to get involved or participate in SRTS Spring 2023 events. In-School Bike Education May 3 and 5. Become a Cook County walking and biking ambassador! Ambassador workshops with BikeMN May 5 and 6, bike maintenance workshop May 6 and finally our annual bike safety rodeo on May 25. For more information about Safe Routes to School, or to volunteer for upcoming events please visit https://tinyurl.com/SRTSEvents or contact Kristina Mattson SRTS/SHIP Coordinator at 218-302-1342 or [email protected].

*Please note that the Safe Routes to School committee, Minnesota Department of Health, and Statewide Health Improvement Partnership work together to encourage walking and biking to school, but do not assume liability for anyone’s commute to or from school.

About Cook County Safe Routes to School

Cook County Safe Routes to School (SRTS) strives to improve the health of kids and our community by making walking and biking to school and around our community safer, easier, and more enjoyable.

About Cook County, MN 

Cook County encompasses the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; the City of Grand Marais; the Townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder; and unincorporated areas in the easternmost part of Minnesota’s North Shore. Cook County Government values transparency and strives to deliver superior services and programs in a fiscally responsible way. We value the dignity of all County residents and seek to create a community that provides opportunity for all. Many of our offices are in the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais 55604. Other departments and facilities, such as the Airport, Community Center, Highway and Sheriff are located nearby. Call 218-387-3000 or visit: https://co.cook.mn.us