SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – Students at Douglas Gardens Elementary School in Springfield participated in the Walk and Roll event on May 10, to promote biking and walking to school through the month of May.

Many students and families met at the Jasper Trailhead, donned reflective vests and continued on to school as a group.

“I just enjoy nature and I find it’s better to be outside than inside a car going to school,” said Aubree, a fifth-grade student who participated.

More than a dozen schools in the Springfield school district participated in the event to encourage a more active lifestyle.

“If students can practice good habits at a young age, hopefully these habits can carry on later in life and they will be able to continue this lifestyle moving forward,” said Laughton Elliot-Deangelis, Springfield Safe Routes to School coordinator.

Students who chose to ride their bicycles learned about the benefits of riding bikes to school, and how to do so safely.