Intersection of Tipsoo Loop S & Sunrise Ln SE  – Gehrke Park – Rainier, WA

To: Rainier City Council and City Officials
From: Concerned Residents of Rainier

We, the undersigned residents of Rainier, Washington, call upon the City of Rainier to take immediate and visible action to improve traffic safety at the intersection of Tipsoo Loop S  and Sunrise Ln SE, the corner of Gehrke Park.

This location has become a serious public safety concern. Drivers routinely fail to stop or even slow down at the stop sign, cutting the corner and speeding through an area heavily used by children, families, seniors, and dog walkers.

Now, with summer approaching, the park is growing busier by the day. More children are outdoors, more families are visiting the park, and traffic is increasing—yet the conditions remain dangerous.

Rainier currently does not have its own police force, leaving enforcement to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, which is already stretched too thin to provide regular patrols. In the past, when residents raised concerns, we were told that solutions would require time, studies, and money—but we can no longer wait for someone to be injured or killed before action is taken.

 
We are requesting immediate, cost-effective action:
- Paint a white stop line and the word “STOP” on the pavement at the stop signs at the Tipsoo Loop S / Sunrise Ln SE intersection.
- Add a “Children at Play” sign and/or solar-powered flashing stop sign near Gehrke Park.
- Install temporary or permanent speed control devices, such as speed bumps, curb extensions, or planters.
- Initiate a formal traffic study and safety audit of the park-adjacent intersection.
 
Gehrke Park is meant to be a place for community, recreation, and safety—not a danger zone. These small, affordable changes could prevent a tragedy. We urge the City of Rainier to prioritize the safety of its residents and take responsibility for the dangerous conditions at this intersection.