On April 22, 2026, the school complex at Elenda and Farragut took on a new look; car-free for the morning, with bikes, scooters, skateboards and sneakers taking over the space for an Earth Day celebration. The long line of bikes and pedestrians that enjoyed the ease of having the whole street stretched from the front of the high school to Culver Boulevard.
Jim Shanman, the leader of Culver City Walk ‘n Rollers, was quite pleased. “This year, we set up another drop-off zone at Coombs Park, and that certainly has taken the pressure off the side streets [like Franklin.]” The popular local non-profit had also set up some ‘Fun Zone’ areas where younger children could play games like bean-bag toss on their way towards the school.
There looked to be more participants between 8 and 9 am than last year, but official numbers would take a while.
Culver City resident Adrian Killigrew was on two wheels with his daughter, heading for her classroom. “We never drive to school. The traffic gets so crazy, why add to all that stress? It’s such a great way to spend time in the morning, biking or walking.”
Dr. Kim Indelicato, who has served multiple roles over decades at Culver City Unified and is currently Coordinator of School and Family Support Services, was pleased with the number of students participating. “When kids get to start their morning with such a healthy social and physical activity, it’s a benefit for the rest of their day.”
School Board member Andrew Lachman offered that he was lived quite close, “just a few streets away,” he and his family regularly walked to school.
Mayor Freddy Puza was on hand, as were Vice Mayor Bubba Fish and Council member Dan O’Brien. Both Puza and Fish brought their dogs with them for the walk, as did many other parents and participants.
Dia Turner, of Culver CityBus, showcased the 98th Anniversary bus on site, and offered info about the GoPass, which allows CCUSD students to ride public transit for free.
Several parents exclaimed that it was a great break from the usual traffic madness of the school mornings, and the cyclists both large and small seemed to relax into the expanded space.
Shanman floated a few ideas for what could happen next year with Vice Mayor Fish, and before the event was over, the next one was taking shape.
Judith Martin-Straw
