Middle School Students Promote Environmental and Cycling Projects in S. Felice
The students and teachers of the middle school «Angelo Zanelli» have taken over S. Felice and, for two days, played, sang, and engaged in sports. The title of their initiative: «Pedal, pedal in the city of kids». In the early afternoon, all children from the area (including elementary school kids and friends from Puegnago) participated in orienteering activities by bike, scooter, rollerblades, and on foot along the road to Portese, which was closed to cars.
Divided into 24 groups, they answered crosswords, riddles, and quizzes until reaching their destination. A sort of giant treasure hunt. The following day, in the town’s main square, in front of the ex Monte di Pietà, there was entertainment, theater, puppets, singing, and flutes. In a cheerful atmosphere that engaged residents and tourists alike.
Activities and Participation
Among the highlights was a concert by a small orchestra made of stones, shells, and bamboo; a game of “Duck, Duck, Goose” with questions about the greenhouse effect and other topics (won by Emanuele Libero Ribelli), while Mayor Ambrogio Florioli was accused of cheating after taking a couple of steps forward; an exhibition of decorated glass plates; drawings, nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and research projects. In the evening, in the courtyard of the Palazzo comunale, Councilor for Public Initiatives Massimo Moretti awarded scholarships named after Cesarina Ricca Tedesco and Francesco Marpicati to Ines Leali (3rd H) and Chiara Mantovani (3rd G).
“The event,” explains the Deputy Mayor Silvia Comaglio, a second-year G class student, with a tricolor sash, “is the result of a project carried out thanks to the collaboration between the Municipality, Gardair, parents (like surveyor Gianpiero Baccolo), the Alpini group, Vigili urbani, and provincial technicians.
Starting from a proposal by the Regione Lombardia, we analyzed the theme of air quality to assess our environment’s livability and find suitable solutions. The initiative was launched in November, by hanging sheets outside windows of private homes and public buildings. After consulting experts from Palazzo Broletto and Camfil, a Swedish company leading in filter production, we let our imagination run free, creating a CD.
Projects and Initiatives
Vice Mayor Nicolò Baccolo: “The core of our work was the development of a pedestrian and cycling route S. Felice-Portese, making use of the existing sidewalk space. It’s not the ideal solution, but it’s the only feasible one. The necessary interventions include: installing a traffic light, placing street signs and signals, and asphalt modifications.”
We’ve asked the Province to include a bike path on the stretch from Cisano to S. Felice. It would be great to improve the naturalistic route Porto di Portese – Baia del Vento, from here to S. Felice.”
Massimiliano Leali, Councilor for Public Initiatives of the Città dei Ragazzi: “Our project was awarded in Bergamo on May 16, during Expo Ambiente. Fifty-two kids completed a three-day internship in Pisogne. The Broletto will reward us with a camera.”
Professors who managed the initiative include: Lucia Aime, Laura Forcella, Pinuccia Ricci, Fabio Mari, Grazia Lombardo, and Amedeo Monfardini. In the past, the middle school Zanelli had transformed students into guides for historical monuments at Palazzo Cominelli di Cisano; encouraging the Alpini to equip the lakeside trail near S. Fermo, facing Garda Island, with benches, fences, and steps.
Outgoing Mayor Florioli returned home with a project designed by the students. He considered it “very interesting,” and explained that the Province will expand the Cisano-S. Felice road in 2002 (a commitment made by Councilor Parolini). The cost: one billion and 100 million lira. Next to it, a bike lane is already planned.
Meanwhile, architects Bona and Fanoni are drafting the preliminary design of the lakeside route.
