Walking Routes

For many years, Lakewood has been a no-walking district because of limited sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure around our schools. Over the past year, however, our community has seen significant development, including the addition of sidewalks along 172nd St. NE. As conditions change, the state requires school districts to periodically evaluate the area within one mile of each school to determine whether safe walking routes exist.

District leadership has worked closely with City of Marysville traffic engineers and local law enforcement partners to review the updated infrastructure and assess student safety. Based on that evaluation, the committee determined that conditions now support safe walking routes for some middle school and high school students who live within one mile of school. Lakewood does not have approved walking routes for elementary students. 

To support students as they travel to and from school:

• Walking routes have been reviewed to take advantage of the new sidewalk infrastructure and improved pedestrian access.
• Trained crossing guards will be stationed at key crossing locations, including the railroad crossing. Please wait to cross until instructed to do so by the crossing guard.
• Approximate crossing guard times: 7:05–7:35 a.m. and 2:05–2:35 p.m.
• The City of Marysville, in collaboration with Lakewood School District, painted designated walking paths along 16th Dr. NE to help middle school students safely access the sidewalk in front of Lakewood Elementary School.

We encourage families to review their walking route with their middle school and high school students before the start of school and discuss safe walking practices, including using designated crossings, following crossing guard directions, and remaining alert around vehicle and train traffic.

Thank you for your support as we work together to keep our students safe.