Parking lots proposed for 2 Fountain Valley schools

Andrew Wainer

The Fountain Valley School District could begin building two new

parking lots at Cox and Courreges elementary schools if it is

economically feasible, Supt. Marc Ecker said this week.

The school board has determined that the two schools need expanded

parking and drop-off facilities in order to improve safety and relieve

traffic congestion during arrival and dismissal times each day.

“We want to create another parking lot away from the front of the school

in order to ease traffic,” Ecker said. Although traffic congestion only

occurs for about 20 minutes each day, he said, the new parking area would

be safer for students.

“During these peak periods, kids were running between cars and parents

were double and triple parking, creating a more dangerous environment,”

Ecker said. “We would like to build a special drop-off area to solve this

problem.”

The district has submitted the parking lot expansion plans to an

architect for review of the project cost.

The expansion could result in reducing playground and green spaces around

the schools, which some residents might resent, Ecker said. He said the

district will seek community input before any work proceeds on the

expansion.

Currently the principals of the two schools close the parking lots during

pick-up and drop-off times to minimize danger, Ecker said.