Dear City of Lakewood and Jefferson County Officials,

We, the undersigned residents of Lakewood, strongly urge the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk at 20th Avenue and Allison Street to improve safety and accessibility for our community.

Why This Matters

Morse Park is one of our neighborhood’s most cherished public spaces. With a newly renovated playground (2022), a public pool, tennis and basketball courts, and plenty of open space, it draws residents of all ages every day. Many parkgoers—especially families with young children, seniors, and cyclists—live north of 20th Avenue and must cross this busy road to reach the park. However, there is currently no crosswalk at Allison Street, forcing pedestrians to take unsafe routes.

Why Existing Crosswalks Aren’t Enough

There is a marked crosswalk at Carr Street (on the park’s west side), but it does not provide a safe or practical option for many residents east of Carr.

• Carr Street is a major thoroughfare, not a pedestrian-friendly street – It carries heavy traffic, and the north side of 20th Avenue has no sidewalks. Pedestrians trying to reach the crosswalk at Carr must walk in a narrow bike lane, dangerously close to moving vehicles. Overgrown bushes make this even riskier.

• No safe route from 23rd Avenue – Some pedestrians try to reach the Carr crosswalk by walking south on Carr from 23rd Avenue, but this section of Carr is also busy and lacks sidewalks, forcing people into the bike lane.

• Crossing at Allison is nearly impossible during rush hour – The traffic lights at Wadsworth Boulevard (to the east) and Carr Street are not timed in a way that allows natural gaps in traffic, making it extremely difficult to find a safe opportunity to cross. Pedestrians, including families with children, are often left waiting for dangerously long periods.

• No safe place to wait on the north side of 20th Avenue – With no sidewalks or designated waiting areas, pedestrians must stand in the dirt or grass, unprotected from fast-moving traffic.

Why Allison Street is the Right Location

A crosswalk at Allison Street would be a simple, effective solution.

• Allison is safer than Carr – It has less traffic, no bike lanes, and slower-moving vehicles, making it a better choice for pedestrians.

• Direct access to the playground – Allison leads directly to the playground entrance, where many families enter and exit the park. A crosswalk here would make their trips much safer.

• More equitable access – Adding a crosswalk at Allison would ensure residents on both the east and west sides of the neighborhood have a safe, direct way to reach the park.

The Reality Right Now

Every day, families with young children, strollers, and bikes are forced to wait for a gap in traffic at Allison before making a dangerous dash across 20th Avenue. During rush hour, this becomes nearly impossible due to the uncoordinated traffic lights at Wadsworth and Carr. Others attempt to cross at Brentwood, where overgrown bushes further limit visibility, increasing the risk of accidents.

A Practical, Cost-Effective Solution

The city has already installed a pedestrian crossing at Dudley Street, just west of Carr. But unlike Allison, Dudley only leads to residential streets. A crosswalk at Allison would provide a much greater community benefit at a relatively low cost.

What We’re Asking

We urge the City of Lakewood and Jefferson County officials to prioritize pedestrian safety by installing a crosswalk at 20th & Allison as soon as possible. Our neighborhood deserves safe, convenient access to Morse Park, and this simple addition would make a meaningful difference for everyone who enjoys it.