(rdnewsNOW/ Ian Gustafson)

By Ian Gustafson

Child safety

Parents raise alarm bells after speeding persists near elementary school in Blackfalds

Mar 25, 2025 | 5:47 PM

Concerned parents are hoping to raise awareness to what they call a major safety problem on Broadway Avenue in Blackfalds.

With her child attending Iron Ridge Elementary Campus, local parent Breanna Green explained that motorists rarely abide by the 30 km/hr speed limit, making crossing the street a hazardous task for young children.

“It’s absolutely terrifying to have to cross that street in the morning and in the afternoon,” Green said, adding it’s been an issue for at least four years. “Half the time you’re sitting at that cross walk praying that someone will stop, or that they’re not going too fast they can’t stop.

“This school only goes from Kindergarten to Grade 4 so we’re talking about little, little kids. They don’t always stop and look both ways before they cross the road.”

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There’s also been issues, says Green, with people allegedly parking their vehicles over crosswalks, making crossing the road safely even more challenging.

She admitted the school has done what they can to help with the issues even giving her traffic cones to place on the crosswalk.

The police and peace officers have also made a point to patrol the area but they can’t always be there. Green explained, she’s previously asked for more signs to be put in including the electronic signs that clock the speed of vehicles.

“I want to increase awareness and want people to be more cautious of the little lives that are at stake here,” she said. “I mean, I’m a grown woman and I’m scared to cross the street in this specific playground zone because it’s so dangerous.”

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Renae McMillan, who lives in the area, said it’s not just an issue that happens during school hours but after working hours as well.

She’d like to see a crosswalk volunteer program be put in place where students and faculty make sure everyone can safely cross the street. She’d also like to see a digital speed sign put in place and speed bumps installed as well.

“They need to come up with a better solution because what they’ve got going on does not work,” McMillan added.

Meanwhile, Ken Morrison, Director of Emergency Management and Protective Services, Town of Blackfalds, said this particular road has been brought to their attention many times.

Over the year, he explained, they’ve put in extra crossing lights and a four-way stop at the beginning of the school when heading south on Broadway Avenue.

It’s also gotten to the point where they’ve increased the size of the stop signs at the intersection.

There has also been increased patrols by police and peace officers and the implementation of a temporary flashing speed sign at times.

“It’s a unique area because if you’re coming from the north, you’re coming up a hill and we’ve created a crossing area where the kids are entering the school grounds from the east. There are lights there so they can push the button to cross,” he said.

“We also had our officers there at times standing at the crosswalks. Years ago there used to be crossing guards there but that disbanded for various reasons. It would be really nice if we could get something like that going again.”

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He added, it’s a very congested area and one of the town’s busiest streets during that time of day.

“People have been known to go through stop signs there. For instance, [yesterday] we were at the elementary school and one of our officers stopped an individual for going through a stop sign,” he said, adding he’s gone on foot to try to deter people from speeding.

Morrison said people parking on or too close to the crosswalks has also been a problem they’re trying to fix.

“We try to balance our time around the other three school zones and some of the playground zones throughout town. We try to do the best we can with the officers we have.”

In a statement from Wolf Creek Public Schools, communications coordinator Vince Burke, said they haven’t received any formal complaints from parents but that student safety is always a top priority.

“We know it’s a busy area and the school continues to take proactive steps—such as placing pylons after staff arrival, and clear supervision—to help manage traffic flow and reduce risks,” he said.

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