During a recent city council meeting, a concerned parent presented compelling data and personal observations regarding safety issues surrounding the routes children take to school. The parent, who has been walking her daughter to Apple Valley Elementary, highlighted the inadequacies of the current infrastructure, particularly the need for a wider sidewalk and a flashing crosswalk at the busy intersection of Center Street and Royalland Drive.

Over a span of 15 minutes, the parent recorded 97 vehicles, including large trucks and school buses, passing through the intersection, while 37 pedestrians crossed. Alarmingly, 87 children were observed using a narrow, rocky path designated as the \"safe route,\" which is often congested and unsafe. The parent expressed concern for the safety of young children navigating this area, especially with the increasing number of homes being built nearby, which could add more students to the already crowded routes.

Despite her requests for improvements, including a flashing crosswalk, the city had previously denied the proposal, citing the existence of a \"safer route.\" The parent argued that the data she collected contradicted this claim, as many children were still at risk while crossing the street. She urged the council to consider her findings and proposed several solutions, including widening the sidewalk, relocating the school zone to slow down traffic, and potentially installing a blinking crosswalk.

City officials acknowledged the importance of the issue and agreed to include the proposal in future budget discussions. They emphasized the need to evaluate safety measures not only for this school but also for other schools in the area. The parent’s passionate plea underscored the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to ensure the safety of children commuting to school.