Clarkson University Students and Hammond CSD Team Up to Install Innovative Pop-up Traffic Garden
Clarkson Construction Engineering Management Consulting Group (C3G) and Hammond Central School District have launched a Pop-up Traffic Garden, an innovative project designed to provide a safe and interactive environment for children and adults to learn traffic safety. This initiative aims to introduce young bike riders to different road scenarios, fostering essential traffic skills in a controlled and engaging setting.
C3G is an in-house Clarkson team with the capability to provide pre-professional consulting in planning, engineering, and construction. This enterprise is driven by and staffed with Clarkson undergraduate and graduate students, supervised by faculty from Clarkson’s Construction Engineering Management program.
Traffic Gardens, also known as “Safety Towns” and “Traffic Playgrounds,” are designated areas where individuals can learn and practice traffic safety. These spaces replicate real-life road conditions, offering practical lessons on navigating intersections, pedestrian crossings, and understanding traffic signs and signals. The installation at Hammond Central, while currently temporary, is the fourth in New York state, the first in a rural area, and second ever at a school in New York State.
“The Hammond Central School district is grateful for the partnership with the Health Initiative and Clarkson University over the past year,” said Lauren Morley, Superintendent of Hammond Central School District “The collaboration between Clarkson University's students and professors, the Health Initiative leadership, and our district Wellness Committee has been exceptional. We are excited to unveil our Traffic Garden pop-up and witness the benefits on our school campus. While traffic safety and education are primary goals, we believe students will also gain confidence in riding bicycles, social interaction skills, and roadway awareness. This project paves the way for more STEM learning, with future plans for a permanent traffic garden involving student and faculty input in its design and creation.”
The Pop-up Traffic Garden is a temporary setup intended as a trial of this concept. Using non-permanent materials such as chalk-based paint, cones, and pylons, this short-term project allows Hammond Central to test the idea before committing to a long-term installation. This initiative is part of the village’s Complete Streets effort aimed at creating safe and accessible streets for all users.
"We are thrilled to launch the Pop-up Traffic Garden with Hammond Central Schools, which represents our commitment to traffic safety and innovative education," said Dr. Erik Backus, Director of Clarkson’s Construction Engineering Management Program and C3G supervisor. "This project not only provides essential skills for young riders but also fosters a safer community for everyone. We look forward to the positive impact it will bring and the input of the community which we can learn from."
Project planning and purchase of materials for the Traffic Garden was made by the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant, a project funded by the New York State Department of Health.
“Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and the North Star Health Alliance are excited to sponsor the new traffic garden for the Hammond Central School District. As the only program of its kind in the North Country, not only is this initiative fun for the students, but it’s also a great way to learn essential safety skills,” said Jessica Bowline, System Director of Marketing and Public Relations for North Star Health Alliance who donated the funds to purchase 12 bicycles and 15 helmets as initial supplies for the Traffic Garden.
In a collaborative effort to promote traffic safety and education, several key partners have come together to support the Traffic Garden initiative. The Hammond Central School Administration and staff are playing a crucial role in facilitating the project within the school grounds, ensuring it is seamlessly integrated into the school environment.
C3G interns, including Civil Engineering graduate Caeden Bailey ‘24, Civil Engineering major Rebecca Kaminski ‘25, Engineering and Management graduate Jacob Vaccaro ‘24 and Civil Engineering major Evan Baird ‘26 designed, estimated, and executed the project, with guidance from Director of Construction Engineering Management Erik Backus and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering William Olsen. Other undergraduate students assisted with the setup, maintenance, and supervision of the Traffic Garden. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to participate, reinforcing traffic safety lessons at home and ensuring the initiative's success.
The involvement of Clarkson University and George Mason University (VA) faculty and staff, further enriched the project, bringing their expertise and support to this community-driven endeavor. Assistant Professor Melissa Richards, Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering Mahesh Banavar, and Backus from Clarkson as well as Associate Professor of Education and Human Development Ellen Rodgers from George Mason and Founder of the Early Childhood Mobility Coalition Rick Holt are collaborating to help research the use and effectiveness of traffic gardens in rural communities, which have been mainly used in urban contexts before now.
Underwriting and providing financial support for this effort is the St. Lawrence Health Initiative through their Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Program, which is funded by the New York State Department of Health, and managed by Karen Bage and Sarah Bentley-Garfinkel. Bage was on site during the installation as well.
The project commenced with site selection within the school premises, followed by the development of a layout by Bailey, Vaccaro, and Kaminski that introduces young riders to various road scenarios. The Traffic Garden was set up on June 5 ensuring accurate representations of real traffic situations and is scheduled to have its first participants on June 13.
Educational sessions will be organized for students to learn and practice traffic safety under supervision. Feedback from community members, parents, and staff will be gathered to evaluate the project's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. A link to the survey for community feedback will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 and can be accessed here at https://arcg.is/19r8mD0.
Following the initial assessment and improvement based on feedback, plans for a permanent Traffic Garden installation may be developed. The success of the pop-up project will guide these plans. Additionally, there will be considerations for expanding the Traffic Garden concept to other schools or community spaces. Ongoing education efforts will incorporate traffic safety into the school curriculum and community programs, with continued community engagement to promote and sustain traffic safety awareness.
