A Wilsonville parent told the City Council on Thursday that motorists are using a bus-only lane that links Wood Middle School and Boones Ferry Primary School — and that faded signs, obstructing vegetation and drivers’ speed are creating a safety hazard for children on bikes and scooters.

“Yesterday, after crossing the trail bridge on his scooter, my 5 year old son was nearly hit by a car speeding through the bus only lane,” Mary Rooney said during community input. Rooney identified herself as the parent of a child who attends Boones Ferry Primary School and said the near-miss prompted her to bring the issue to council.

Rooney described several contributing factors: limited signage at access points, a blank sandwich board on one side of the lane, faded painted yellow letters reading “bus only,” and dense vegetation that partially obscures a stop sign where a parking lot meets the bus route. She said children using the path gain momentum over a bridge and can be propelled into the parking lot near the bus-only entrance.

Rooney asked the city to improve signage — she suggested a clear “Do Not Enter — School Buses Only” message — to clear obstructing vegetation and to consider occasional law-enforcement presence to deter drivers from using the lane. She also said she would follow up by emailing photos to the city and contacting the school district.

The comments came during the public comment portion of the special meeting; no formal council action or vote on remedies was recorded in the meeting minutes, and staff did not provide a response during the meeting. Rooney’s statement provides the council with a citizen-initiated request for safety improvements on a recognized school route.