ALDER CREEK ELEMENTARY TRAFFIC ISSUES FRONT & CENTER

The broader Folsom Ranch community celebrated the first day of school at brand new Alder Creek Elementary on August 8th, 2024. However, it quickly became apparent that significant traffic issues exist which affect the ability for its young students to have a safe route to school.

Residents began sharing photographs and concerns on social media, noting that sidewalks terminated, yield signs were too small at crosswalks, and once children did cross they would need to walk in the bicycle lane to reach their school. Following these raised concerns, Council member Sarah Aquino, who represents Empire Ranch and Folsom Ranch, began efforts to communicate with residents to identify the most urgent needs and activated city staff to resolve them. In the interim, Council member Aquino and her husband, Mr. Aquino, joined by Traffic Safety Committee Member Joanne Brausch, have been acting as crossing guards at the intersections of Westwood and Old Ranch Way and Savannah Way. One of the cross guards, Dante Campbell, shared that he views the opportunity to safeguard children to school as an extension of his calling and profession, as owner of Imagine That Child Care. Other parents are also participating in the effort, and are now working to build a team of volunteers, including but not limited to: Jessica Lam, Renjith Mathew, Jess Nguyen, Tai Nguyen, Andrew Huang, Maricela Sierra, Steven Sierra, Ian Carino, Luis Lopez, Eric Ngo, and Zvac Salarzi.

In the longer term, Councilmember Aquino has identified several improvements coming to the school area:

• Signs on Savannah Parkway reading “No Student Drop Off or Pickup”

• Adding striped crosswalks at Westwood Drive and Old Rach Way, and crosswalks at Savannah Parkway and Westwood Drive

• Closing the sidewalk gap on Old Ranch Way and Savannah Parkway (will come to city council for approval on September 24th)

• School Zone signs will be upgraded into flashing signs along Savannah Parkway

• Landscaping on Savannah Parkway will be adjusted to improve visibility

• Trail completion along Savannah Parkway (longer term project)

*If you are interested in assisting with cross guarding efforts at Alder Creek Elementary, please check out the school’s Facebook page for the WhatsApp link and sign up.