The paths leading to West Marin School, in places broken up by the expanding roots of Monterey pines, may exude small-town charm, but they may also endanger students. Improvements to the crumbling sidewalks and traffic infrastructure surrounding the school will be explored during a meeting on Jan. 14 organized by Marin’s Safe Routes to School program.
“We’re going to say, ‘Here’s our concept plan, but we want your input to see where the energy needs to go,’” said Peggy Day, a member of the group who has a grandchild at the school.
Safe Routes to School, which is overseen by the Transportation Authority of Marin, has been talking with Caltrans about making concentrated changes in Point Reyes Station as part of the agency’s regular roadway updates.
To develop recommendations for Caltrans, Safe Routes to School conducted a handful of walkabouts from the intersection of Point Reyes-Petaluma Road and Highway 1 down to the Dance Palace Community Center, where many children engage in afterschool activities. Along the way, they observed pathways, ditches, and the behavior of children and their families.
The recommendations are still being finalized, but Wendi Kallins, the programs coordinator for Safe Routes to School, is hoping they will include a pedestrian signal at the intersection of Mesa Road and Highway 1, the maintenance of pathways on either side of the school, and the placement of better signage on side streets to create an alternate path for children walking between the school and the Dance Palace.
The January meeting is an effort to solicit feedback from the community about what changes they would like to see Caltrans make, or not make.
County-funded crossing guard service was eliminated earlier this year at the West Marin School, where the number of students using the crosswalk—an average of 11—was not enough to qualify for a guard. And although the newly approved Measure AA allocates increased funding to pay for 98 crossing guards throughout the county, the school is too small to make the cut.
Without a crossing guard, a crossing signal becomes important, Ms. Kallins said. But it will likely be the most controversial decision. “It’s a rural community and some people don’t want anything that smacks of urbanization,” she explained, “so it’s a balancing act between maintaining rural character while ensuring the safety of children walking and biking to school.”
Ms. Kallins stressed that pedestrian signals are not the same as traffic lights. One such signal was recently installed at Lagunitas School, and she said it has made a huge difference.
“When you actually can alert motorists that you’re about to cross the street and there’s something flashing at them and the cars stop, you feel much safer,” she said.
The group has presented a sketch of its concept plan to the Point Reyes Station Village Association, where the plan was workshopped slightly: a proposal to put a red curb around the open space between the road and Green Bridge Gas & Auto was altered after arborists pointed out that a curb would hinder their ability to maneuver large trucks.
As a result, the group has started to brainstorm other signage that could be used to delineate the space, which has generated increased concern since then-teacher Chris Eckert was hit by a car near the gas station at the intersection of Shoreline Highway and Mesa Road.
Safe Routes hopes that the coming community meeting will produce equally valuable feedback, which it plans to incorporate into negotiations with Caltrans and applications for grant funding. In an effort to hear from all parents, the meeting will have a bilingual facilitator and translation services.
“These problems have existed as long as there have been kids walking to school,” Ms. Kallins said. Still, an increase in tourist and commuter traffic is creating ever-more dangerous situations for schoolchildren.
“This is one opportunity we really have to strengthen the visibility of youth and families in the community,” Madeline Hope, the director of the Tomales Bay Youth Center, said. “It doesn’t have to be something to be afraid of.”
A stakeholders meeting to review and discuss suggested route improvements to West Marin School will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14 in the West Marin School gym. Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. Presented by Safe Routes to School.