Children in City Planning

Beginning in September 2016, Growing Up Boulder (GUB) helped facilitate the public participation process for the city's transit study by engaging an often overlooked part of the public: children. GUB led the engagement process for a class of 2nd and 3rd grade English Language Learner students at Whittier International Elementary School. 

The young participants took a class field trip on HOP transit, using green and red frames to document what they did or didn’t like about their transit experience, such as bus signs at children's eye-level. GUB also facilitated classroom research, visits from guest experts, and introductory lessons on transit, group decision-making, and persuasive writing skills.

The students advocated for their ideas through a class presentation to city and community members and GUB staff. The engagement process led to the implementation of three recommendations from the class: kid-level bus signs, a bench placed at the bus stop closest to school, and the installation of interesting artwork created by students. Read more about this story here.