Every school day, more than 300 students and families walk to and from Syuw̓én̓ct Elementary School, crossing Sun Valley Drive and Mountain Vista Drive without any marked pedestrian crosswalks.

As parents and caregivers, we see children navigating busy roads, limited sightlines, and parked cars during peak traffic times—often at the same time commuters are using these streets as through‑routes.

Syuw̓én̓ct Elementary opened in 1996, when surrounding neighbourhoods were much smaller and traffic volumes were lower. Since then, hundreds of new homes have been built, and what were once quiet residential streets have become significantly busier. Despite this growth, basic school‑zone pedestrian infrastructure has not been updated to reflect current conditions.

Marked crosswalks are a standard, proven safety measure near elementary schools. They improve driver awareness, create predictable crossing locations, and provide clearer guidance for children learning safe travel behaviours. Nearly every other elementary school in Nanaimo has at least one marked crosswalk near key walking routes—Syuw̓én̓ct Elementary is an exception.

The Syuw̓én̓ct Elementary Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is bringing forward this petition on behalf of our school community to request the installation of marked pedestrian crosswalks at key student crossing locations near the school. This is a reasonable, cost‑effective step that would meaningfully improve safety for children, families, and the wider neighbourhood.

We are asking the City of Nanaimo to prioritize this work ahead of the upcoming school year so that all students have safer routes to school.