15 May . 2018
All trails lead to Rancho Sienna Elementary School – and that’s healthy for the kids
Rancho Sienna has approximately five miles of trails among three interconnected loops, linking neighborhoods to amenities like the Sienna House, Greenleaf Park and the Bark’N Park dog park.
This community trail system also connects homes and neighborhoods to Rancho Sienna Elementary School, and that offers some important benefits for residents.
Children who walk to school have been found to have higher academic performance in terms of attention and alertness, according to a study from the University of Toronto. They also show higher verbal, numeric, and reasoning abilities. Higher degrees of pleasantness and lower levels of stress during the school day are among the other benefits.
Walking or biking to school can further foster personal growth by developing a sense of independent decision making, forging emotional bonds with peers and fostering an appreciation for the natural environment, researchers say.
Walking to school is so beneficial that there’s even a National Walk to School Day, on the first Wednesday in October.
Learn more about Rancho Sienna’s trails and the highly regarded Liberty Hill ISD schools serving the community.