These new pedestrian safety features are now used outside Ecole Oceanside Elementary School in Parksville. (Island Health)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

safety investment

Pedestrian safety measures unveiled at Parksville school

Oct 22, 2022 | 6:15 AM

PARKSVILLE — A provincial grant has funded road safety improvements to help students get to and from École Oceanside Elementary School in a more safe manner.

The $17,580 grant through the Vision Zero Road Safety Grant Program allowed several portable traffic calming measures to be purchased.

Neil Arason, injury prevention and safety promotion lead at Island Health said the two solar powered speed reader boards, a crosswalk safety sign and four drop-off safety cones will make a difference.

“To make it safer and to make it feel safer as well, so parents and caregivers can have more confidence that their kids will make it safely to school is really important. It’s part of a broader set of objectives — there are so many reasons to do this.”

Arason said the pedestrian safety features are visible and will help motorists adjust their habits around the school.

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He said encouraging our youth to be more active is of paramount importance for many reasons, including social connections en-route to school, their health and the environmental sustainability.

“Because of the time that we’re in with the climate emergency it’s more important than ever to get people walking and cycling.”

The funding was secured by the school’s Parent Advisory Council.

In a news release the École Oceanside Elementary School PAC chair Angel Delange stated there had been reports of close calls involving their students and vehicles.

“Our school has approximately 500 families using the roadways and walking paths around the school, and PAC volunteers have spent a number of years advocating for improved road safety in the area.”

Island Health noted École Oceanside school was originally built as a middle school and not designed for primary students and families dropping of their children.

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