The Safe Route to School Plan for the University Park Elementary School has been developed after discussions with stakeholders, site visits, and monitoring traffic. This comprehensive plan attempts to address issues and community concerns associated with traffic congestion, parking, and pedestrian safety in the morning hours from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and the afternoon hours from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday at University Park Elementary School. Last year a portion of the Safe Route to School Plan was implemented with the addition of painted lines allowing for more clearly marked parking spaces on Underwood Street and Queen's Chapel Road. A student drop off zone – “Kiss and Ride” – was created and striped on Underwood Street (see attached map). Additionally, there is one new “no parking area” located from the beginning of the student drop off zone on Underwood Street to the intersection of Queen Chapel Road.
The University Park Police Department and the Administration of the University Park Elementary School are seeking your support and cooperation to help implement the new plan. We have developed this plan to ensure your child arrives safely to school. Our officers will be in the area to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety. Please do your part by following the plan and obeying the rules. Your support and cooperation are essential to the success of the Safe Route to School Plan.
Please take a moment to read the Safe Route to School Plan as outlined below.
Safe Route to School Plan
Obey all traffic signs and posted speed limits. The University Park Police will issue citations for these violations. It is critical that you drive slowly through Town during school hours. Being tardy is not an excuse to drive fast.
Do not enter the school parking lot when dropping off children. This is very disruptive for the staff arriving at school.
Do not enter the bus circle to drop off your children. This area is designated for bus drop off only. Any other vehicles in the circle create a safety issue and may be ticketed.
Utilize the two student drop off locations designated by the striped areas on the west side of Underwood Street (Kiss and Ride) and the south side of Queens Chapel Road during the times designated on the sign. Allow your child to exit the vehicle safely and drive away, so that the next vehicle can pull to the curb and unload safely.
Parents and visitors utilize the stripped parking spaces on Underwood Street and the diagonal parking on Queens Chapel Road when parking at the school. Parking in designated spaces will assist with the safe flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Do not park in the student drop off zones. We want to safely drop off children and move the vehicles along in an efficient manner to prevent congestion.
Do not block private driveways or park in “no parking areas”. Violators will be ticketed.
Do not make U-turns in the area of Queens Chapel Road at the school. Please take the time to drive to the nearest intersection and turn around on a side street.