It’s been four years that I've been walking my daughter to Teller Elementary, crossing the dangerous unmarked intersection at Madison and 11th. This crossing lacks a stop sign on Madison, and every day I see children struggle to cross on foot, bike, and scooter while cars speed by, well beyond the posted speed limit. To make matters worse, the stop signs on 11th are often obscured by overgrown trees, adding to the risk parents and children face daily.

The children of Congress Park deserve better. They deserve the ability to walk to school with confidence and in safety. Our neighborhood should be a place where families feel secure in the simple act of crossing the street, a place where parents aren't gripped with fear every time their child makes their daily journey to school.

The facts are striking: Pedestrian accidents are tragically common, with over 6,000 pedestrian deaths annually nationwide, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Installing a crosswalk is a simple yet effective way to enhance pedestrian safety immediately. Traffic-calming measures such as visible stop signs and crosswalks are proven to slow down traffic and increase visibility, thereby preventing potential tragedies.

We urge the local council and City of Denver to take immediate action by installing a crosswalk at this critical intersection. We believe this step will mitigate the risks pedestrians face daily and possibly save lives.

Join us in this critical initiative to make Congress Park a safe place for our children to walk and play. Sign this petition to demand a safer neighborhood for all our families.