Mockingbird’s Dangers to Children

A reader sent in the following response to this week’s story about a new lot that Highland Park leaders hope will make Mockingbird safer for kids:

As you are aware, Bradfield Elementary sits directly on Mockingbird Lane and has too very busy crosswalks, one at the 5 way intersection of Douglas, Mockingbird and the Highland Park Village and the other at the very complicated intersection of Armstrong. Mockingbird Lane and Mockingbird Parkway. Many of the Bradfield kids live north of Mockingbird and must cross this active intersection twice a day. I am a Highland Park resident and have crossed this street almost daily with my child for the past 4 years.

We would LOVE to have equal treatment from the Town for the kids that have to navigate these intersections — the kids at Douglas and Mockingbird have very little space to await the extended THREE WAY light cycle. At Armstrong and Mockingbird, there is an architecturally significant structure that gives the kid very limited crossing space.

I would love for you to come walk to school with me next week so that you can experience (to a limited extent since Mockingbird is closed) what it is like for the BRADFIELD kids. Their lives are precious as well and they are just as deserving of protection from the Town of Highland Park. Unlike the east end of Mockingbird, this area will not be “narrowed by a few feet” — as I recall the plan, our curbs in this area may well be pulled back and rounded, leaving even less space for our kids to wait.