Park and walk
Park and walk can help reduce congestion around school entrances, limit vehicle and pedestrian interactions and support safer, more active travel to school. It means driving some of the way to school, then parking and walking the rest of the way.
What is park and walk?
Park and walk involves parents and carers parking legally in a suitable location away from the school entrance and walking with their child for the rest of the journey and or when picking up their child at the end of the day.
Older students may be able to walk independently from an agreed location, depending on their age, abilities, the local environment and family circumstances.
Park and walk provides an alternative for families who are unable to walk, ride or use public transport for the entire journey to school. It makes it easier for everyone , particularly where parking is limited, and reduce reliance on pick-up and drop-off areas.
Benefits of park and walk
Encouraging families to park and walk can:
- reduce traffic congestion near school entrances
- reduce demand for parking and pick-up and drop-off areas
- improve visibility for pedestrians and drivers
- reduce unsafe parking and vehicle movements
- provide children with additional physical activity
- help children develop pedestrian safety skills
- support older students to gradually develop independence
- provide an opportunity for parents and carers to talk with their child while walking and meet with others/walk together and chat.
When fewer families need to stop directly outside the school, the area around school entrances can be safer and easier for everyone to navigate.
Establishing a park and walk initiative
Before promoting park and walk, schools should consider their local road environment and identify suitable walking routes and parking locations. This is best done by working with the local council.
Schools and the council can:
- review current travel, traffic and parking arrangements
- consult students, families and staff
- identify streets or locations where parking is legal and suitable
- identify safe pedestrian routes between parking locations and the school
- consider footpaths, crossings, visibility, traffic conditions and accessibility
- avoid directing families to locations that may create new traffic or parking risks
- clearly explain that parents and carers remain responsible for choosing where to park and how their child travels to school.
Schools should not promote a specific parking location unless they are satisfied that it is lawful and appropriate and have consulted the relevant road authority or local council where necessary.
Encourage safe behaviour
Schools should remind parents and carers to:
- park legally and follow all parking signs
- be considerate of residents and other road users
- avoid parking across driveways or in prohibited areas
- allow enough time to park and walk without rushing
- use footpaths and pedestrian crossings where available
- cross roads at a safe location
- supervise younger children closely
- hold the hands of young children near roads and traffic
- avoid calling children across the road
- drop children on the school side of the road where possible.
Walking together also gives parents and carers an opportunity to model and discuss safe pedestrian behaviours, including using the Stop, Look, Listen and Think process.
Promoting park and walk
Park and walk is most effective when it is promoted regularly rather than as a one-off message.
Schools can promote the initiative through:
- newsletters and school websites
- social media and school communication apps
- parent and carer information sessions
- assemblies and classroom learning
- maps showing suitable walking routes
- posters and signs near school entrances
- orientation and transition information for new families
- reminders during periods of increased congestion or road works.
Schools may choose to hold a park and walk day, week or campaign before encouraging families to make it part of their regular travel routine.
Involve students
Students can help promote park and walk by:
- surveying how students travel to school
- identifying the benefits of active travel
- developing posters, maps or newsletter messages
- discussing safe pedestrian behaviours
- participating in travel planning activities
- tracking the number of park and walk journeys made by the school community.
Any student-led activity should be supported by appropriate teaching and learning about safe road use.
Message for families
Park away from the school gate and walk the rest of the way.
Parking a short distance from school can help reduce traffic and congestion around school entrances. It also gives children an opportunity to be active and practise safe pedestrian behaviours.
Remember to park legally, follow parking signs and choose a safe walking route. Younger children should always be closely supervised near roads and traffic.
Even parking one or two streets away can make a difference.
Last modified date
03/08/2026
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Executive director
Megan Kelly
Executive director’s business unit
Teaching Learning&Student Wellbeing