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Olympia Council proclaims Week Without Driving, recognizes student artwork and names October Walk to School Month
Summary
Council issued proclamations designating Sept. 29–Oct. 5 as a Week Without Driving, honored middle‑school artists selected for street sweeper decals, and proclaimed October 2025 as Walk to School Month; city and school district leaders highlighted partnerships for active‑transportation education and infrastructure.
Olympia — At its Sept. 30 meeting the City Council read three proclamations recognizing active‑transportation initiatives and student artwork.
Week Without Driving: Councilmember Madrone read a proclamation declaring Sept. 29–Oct. 5, 2025 as a Week Without Driving in Olympia to encourage residents and city leaders to try alternatives to single‑occupant vehicles and to spotlight investments in sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes. Daniel Garcia, a downtown resident and planning commissioner who does not drive, accepted the proclamation and told the council: “Places like Fourth Avenue…are proof of what’s possible. They’re walkable, they’re vibrant, and they’re full of life.” Councilmembers emphasized that the week is meant to raise awareness rather than require participation by all.
Street‑sweeper decal artwork: The council recognized two Washington Middle School students — Elena Lucas and Jackson Schaub — whose artwork was selected for decals on a grant‑funded street sweeper to promote stormwater pollution prevention. Sue Barcliff, the city’s stormwater program coordinator, described the project’s goal “to highlight street sweeping as an important stormwater pollution prevention tool.” Councilmembers praised youth participation and invited families and teachers to the photo opportunity following the meeting.
Walk to School Month: Councilmember Vanderpool read a proclamation recognizing October 2025 as Walk to School Month. Council invited Intercity Transit and the Olympia School District to the dais; Nick Demaricchi, chief communications and marketing officer at Intercity Transit, described expanded Walk & Roll programming including bike repair and youth bicycle training. Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy thanked the city and Inner City Transit for partnerships to improve walking and biking routes near Garfield, Hansen and Roosevelt elementary schools and noted ongoing capital work funded by a local ballot measure.
Why it matters: The proclamations highlight the city’s emphasis on multimodal transportation, youth education about walking and biking, and public outreach that supports the Transportation Master Plan and the city’s climate objectives. Councilmembers reiterated the need for continued investment in sidewalks, crossings and transit to make walking and rolling safer and more accessible for residents.
Speakers: Daniel Garcia (recipient), Sue Barcliff (Stormwater Program Coordinator), Nick Demaricchi (Intercity Transit), Superintendent Patrick Murphy (Olympia School District), and multiple councilmembers including Madrone, Gilman and Vanderpool.
