Park has made changes to improve the drop-off and pick-up/parking issues at Park Elementary. Last year, a committee of parents, community members, city officials, school administrators and the police department met to discuss how the parking situation, the most requested change from the fall of 2018 parent survey, could be improved. From that meeting, the committee suggested that making Commercial and Workman streets in front and to the east of the school one-way streets. It was also suggested that to make more parking spaces, the concrete peninsula in front of the main entrance be removed. These suggestions were taken to the USD 405 School Board and the Lyons City Council. Each group approved the proposed plan.
To this date, the street signs have been placed and the direction of the traffic flow has changed on Workman and Commercial. From Main Street (Hwy 56) to Lyon street, Workman is one-way heading south. Then from Reed to Bell street, Commercial is a one-way heading west. Attached is a diagram of the traffic flow. As of right now, the concrete peninsula is planned for removal this fall and once it is finished with a new handicapped ramp and parking stall, the project will be complete.
The traffic flow changes have allowed us to create a drop-off and pick-up lane on the east side of the concrete peninsula. The lane will be marked with cones and will have numbered stalls for pick-up or drop-off. When dropping off or picking up, simply pull into one of the stalls in the lane drop pick-up or drop-off your student and then pull back out into the street. There will be adults present at the lane to greet and help your child.
When picking up your child in the afternoon, all students, PK through 2nd, will be outside to aid in a quicker process. Also, if your primary pick-up method is to drive and pick your child up, you will be given a color-coded rear-view mirror tag with your student’s name and class on it. Please put that tag up when you pull into the lane and someone will call for your student and then load your vehicle. Your student will also have a backpack tag with the same color to help in the process. If you are wanting to walk your child in, you can park on the west side of the peninsula and park. Those stalls are still being left for walk-in drop-offs.
These changes are intended to make the drop-off and especially the pick-up process easier, safer and better, but with any change, there will be a period of growth and difficulty. All I ask of you is to be patient as we make these changes. There will also be a police presence to aid in traffic control and safety. If you have any questions, please feel free to call at (620)-257-5624 or come in and see Mr. Cannon.
