People-power gets bikers, walkers to breakfast in the park, then school

June 12, 2025  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

Twice a year, youngsters at Brookside Primary and Crossett Brook Middle schools get a chance to start their school day as a giant group thanks to Waterbury LEAP’s Walk and Bike to School events. 

Breakfast first. Photo by Duncan McDougall

Some are ready to go before the pack. Photo by Duncan McDougall

The group headed to Brookside Primary School may have a few training wheels in the crowd. Photo by Duncan McDougall

Ready to roll. Kids and a few adult chaperones just before taking off to school. Photo by Duncan McDougall

The latest one on June 4 managed to land on a not-rainy morning as more than 225 kids and grown-ups met at Rusty Parker Park in downtown Waterbury, according to organizers Duncan McDougall and Bill Minter. 

LEAP volunteers provide a grab-and-go breakfast with bagels from KC’s, fruit, juice, and coffee for the adults. With parents along and a few teachers in the group, the students then divide based on their destination using bikes and scooters, and some on foot as they head to school without vehicles. 

The regular get-togethers are a way for Waterbury Local Energy Action Partnership – the town’s volunteer energy committee – to promote environmentally friendly modes of transportation through its Waterbury in Motion efforts. 

“Hopefully, many of these kids and families will continue biking, walking, and scootering to school,” McDougall said. 

Minter said the group purchases most of the breakfast items; coffee was donated by Stowe Street Cafe. 

Kids and parents should watch for announcements in the fall for the next Walk and Bike to School event.