Still a hazard

    Fort Frances has been designated as a “safe community” by the World Health Organization, yet a serious safety hazard continues to exist here that threatens our most vulnerable residents—our children.
    The hazard in question? The lack of a crosswalk across King’s Highway at the Legion Park, which fell by the wayside when Alexander MacKenzie School was closed and demolished.
    As it stands now, there is no safe way for children (and their parents) who live in the neighbourhood north of the four-laner to get to the park on foot—a situation all the more pressing now that youngsters are out of school for the summer.
    Last week, for instance, two young girls on bicycles, trying to get to the Teddy Bear Picnic, could only watch helplessly as the traffic whizzed by. Then after the picnic, a town vehicle finally stopped so that one family could cross after a long wait.  
    The Times first brought this hazard to light last September after an incident in which only the alertness of a driver prevented a potential tragedy involving a Third Street West woman who was coming home from the park with her young grandson.
    Unfortunately, 10 months later, there’s still been no move to re-activate the lights at this crossing, or at the very least have the street re-painted and signs posted to give pedestrians a safe zone to cross.
    For that to happen, it’s parents who now have to step forward. Call the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition with your concerns. Write a letter to the editor. Address council at one of its meetings, or circulate a petition.
    The stretch of King’s Highway at the Legion Park is an accident waiting to happen. It’s high time this unacceptable safety hazard is rectified.