GULF SHORES, Ala. — Walking to school may be easier thanks to a new Safe Route to School grant for which Gulf Shores is applying.

The grant, which is provided by the state’s Department of Health and the Department of Transportation, would provide the city with $150,000 to construct new sidewalk within two miles of the schools.

Gulf Shores Elementary School Principal Julie Warlick explained that within two miles of the school the population sets to the north of campus. She said it would be nice to see sidewalk constructed in that area to affect more students.

There is also an idea to replace some of the dilapidated sidewalk that are currently being used. However, these are currently proposals and nothing has been decided yet.

“So kids can ride bikes and walk more safely to get to school,” Economic Development Director Ernie Smith said. “The whole point is to try to build sidewalks that not only the school kids can use, but the public too.”

Smith is working on the application along with a committee including school board member Angie Swiger and Warlick.

During a city council meeting Smith proposed the idea to apply for the grant and had full agreement from the council.

The project is focused on providing safe transportation for pedestrians, geared mainly towards elementary and middle school students.

Smith said not only would this provide students a safer way to get to school, it would also alleviate car traffic.

Warlick agrees. “It’s going to cut down on traffic to school,” she said. “I think it’s going to be wonderful.”

He said that a general idea is to have parents drop their kids off at the Bodenhamer Center at the beginning of the proposed sidewalk. From there, students could walk a path to school that runs under the bridge and Hwy. 59. Smith said he plans for city, police and fire employees to monitor the students.

Council member Carolyn Doughty spoke about the benefit of having students in contact with the police and fire department, saying that it would allow them to become more comfortable with authority and give both departments away to be even more present in the community.

Along with these proposed ideas, Smith hopes that city buses will be available to pick up students at the Bodenhamer Center in case of bad weather.

The application for the grant is due by Nov. 30, and the appointed committee is working with due diligence to complete the application properly.

Plans for public meetings are in the works to hear from the community about where the sidewalks should be constructed and other issues concerning this project.

Smith said he thinks Gulf Shores is a prime candidate to receive the grant, and thinks the chance is high.

However, he did say the important factor is to show the state departments a great need for the sidewalks.

He said that letters of support from residents could be a great service and would increase the chance of receiving the grant.

“Anytime you apply for a grant the more support you have from the community the better your chances are of getting it,” said Smith.

In addition to the sidewalk grant, the city has been awarded a grant to fix drainage problems that happen to be by the school. Part of this project is to add sidewalk as well. That project will start at the beginning of 2009.

The application and construction would be of no cost to the city. It will be spring of next year before the city will know if Gulf Shores has been awarded the grant.

Smith did say he plans to apply for the grant every year until all needed sidewalks are completed.

Letters of support should be sent to City Hall, P.O. Box 299. Attention letters to Ernie Smith. Any questions or interest in being involved can be directed to Smith, 251-968-1160.