City Implements Safe Routes to Schools Pathway Improvements Between Sakai and Island Church

Squeaky Wheels worked with the city council to form a Safe Routes to School committee and develop a solution to the lack of safe routes to Sakai and Woodward schools snd Island Church. At the committee’s urging, COBI and Parks improved the pathway between Sakai/Woodward and Island Church right in time for the new school year. The pathway and crosswalk improvements were completed by COBI while the fence was completed by Parks.

The path demonstrates how the city can build effective, low cost and attractive cycling and walking facilities for our community through the effective partnership of the city and community organizations. Three years ago, during Covid, the schools faced a serious issue: since students were not taking buses, there were long lines of cars and major congestion on Sportsman Club Road as parents dropped off kids at school.

The city council approved a temporary bike/walk path on Sportsman Club that would enable students to walk safely from Island Church to Sakai. As a result, parents began dropping off and picking up students at Island Church instead of standing in idling traffic in front of the schools and on Sportsman Club. The solution not only improves safety, but reduces negative air quality impacts from idling vehicles.

The new pattern has been so successful that now COBI has built a beautiful permanent path! Go check it out and if you have a child at Sakai or Woodward and you are dropping off/picking up by car, consider using the new pathway too!