City seeks feedback on changes to school and playground zones

Following recommendations from the City's Transportation Safety Master Plan, the City of Lethbridge is exploring the option of harmonizing speed limits in both playground and school zones. Through this process, community feedback is being collected to help inform City Council's decision.

This change proposes all school zones be converted into playground zones, making the effective times 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day. Currently, playground zones are in effect from 8:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset, all year. School zones are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on school days. These differences often make the speed limits confusing for drivers who might not know the different times and when school it in, or out of session.

Schools are regularly used outside of school hours and include playgrounds that are used into the evenings. Harmonizing the two will reduce confusion and make these spaces safer the community members using them. The City of Lethbridge's current practice of having both playground and school zones is inconsistent with many municipalities in Alberta who have already harmonized these speed zones.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about this proposal and provide their feedback through an online survey at https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/harmonizedplaygroundzones. The survey will remain open until February 19 and responses will be provided to Council when the matter comes forward for a decision. This is expected to happen later this spring.

The City completed a Transportation Safety Master Plan which was approved by City Council in June of 2021. This plan plays an important role in shaping transportation policies, strategies and ultimately, the changes and investments made in Lethbridge to help provide a safe transportation system for all. The harmonizing of playground and school zones is a strategy to move towards the goals outlined in the Transportation Safety Master Plan.