Petition for Immediate Safety Measures on Cunningham Road to Protect Wildlife and Prevent Accidents
To: The Mayor, City Council and Knox County Commission
From: Concerned Residents Cunningham Road neighborhoods - District 7 in Knoxville
Summary of Concern
We, the undersigned residents, are writing to bring urgent attention to a growing safety and wildlife crisis on Cunningham Road.
Due to ongoing construction and habitat disruption in the surrounding areas, wildlife, including opossums, raccoons, rabbits, turtles and deer, are being displaced and forced into active roadways. This has resulted in a sharp increase in animals being injured or killed, as well as dangerous near-collisions for drivers.
Residents are witnessing this daily. In one instance, five opossums were found dead along the road in a single morning. There are also repeated reports of orphaned wildlife, including baby opossums found in the pouches of deceased mothers. Encounters with disoriented deer, including juveniles separated from their mothers, are becoming increasingly common.
This is not only a wildlife issue. It is a public safety concern.
Why This Matters
- Increased risk of vehicle accidents due to animals unexpectedly entering the roadway
- Emotional and ethical distress within the community witnessing repeated animal fatalities
- Disruption of local ecosystems due to rapid development without mitigation measures
- Preventable suffering of wildlife during peak breeding seasons
Request for Immediate Action
We respectfully request that the City implement the following measures as soon as possible:
1. Install Wildlife Crossing / Slow Down Signage
Clear, visible signage along Cunningham Road alerting drivers to active wildlife crossings and encouraging reduced speeds.
2. Temporary Speed Reduction Measures
Consider reduced speed limits in high-incident zones or temporary traffic calming measures during peak displacement periods.
3. Conduct a Site Assessment
Send a city official or wildlife/environmental specialist to observe conditions firsthand and assess the scale of the issue.
4. Coordinate with Construction Developers
Require or encourage current development projects in the area to implement basic wildlife mitigation strategies (e.g., fencing, phased clearing, or safe escape corridors).
5. Explore Long-Term Solutions
Evaluate the feasibility of wildlife crossings, barriers, or other infrastructure solutions if the problem persists.
Community Support
This issue has already generated significant concern among residents, with dozens of community members reporting similar experiences and expressing a desire for immediate action.
We are prepared to provide documentation, including resident reports and photographic evidence, to support this request.
Closing
We understand that development is ongoing and necessary. However, simple, timely measures can significantly reduce harm to both wildlife and residents.
We respectfully ask for your attention and prompt action on this matter.
We also request the opportunity for a brief on-site meeting with a city representative to review conditions directly.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2026
60 Comments
Building is just great for increasing population. That is not what is always best for the people and wildlife that live here. You want to make more money then make arrangements for areas to be blocked off, signs posted to watch for animals, monitor speeding in the area. We want trees and not all parking lots, condos, duplexes and businesses.
I live in Corryton and have seen dead hawks or turkeys recently. Opossum is a common site, struck down by speeding cars. Thanks for your concern.
This is very much needed. With all the new building along Cunningham, traffic is heavier and wildlife habitat destroyed, it is a sad situation.
Please let’s come together and save these beautiful and innocent creatures from unnecessary harm. Possums control ticks population in an unprecedented level. Let’s protect them along with other animals that are being harmed when trying to cross roads. We are their only hope of survival. They have no voice, not any representation.
It's not about accommodating the people moving here...it's about protecting the people that have lived here for years along with the wildlife being displaced. We are being ignored and overlooked just so you can fill your pockets at the expense of us and the wildlife.
Our area is growing fast but we are losing the most important part of our area. The wildlife we have deer and other wild animals that rely on wooded areas for cover and protection. The more we take the less we will have.
I am for this all over,over built knox county. To many invaders. Knox county is beyond full.
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Petition for Immediate Safety Measures on Cunningham Road to Protect Wildlife and Prevent Accidents
To: The Mayor, City Council and Knox County Commission
From: Concerned Residents Cunningham Road neighborhoods - District 7 in Knoxville
Summary of Concern
We, the undersigned residents, are writing to bring urgent attention to a growing safety and wildlife crisis on Cunningham Road.
Due to ongoing construction and habitat disruption in the surrounding areas, wildlife, including opossums, raccoons, rabbits, turtles and deer, are being displaced and forced into active roadways. This has resulted in a sharp increase in animals being injured or killed, as well as dangerous near-collisions for drivers.
Residents are witnessing this daily. In one instance, five opossums were found dead along the road in a single morning. There are also repeated reports of orphaned wildlife, including baby opossums found in the pouches of deceased mothers. Encounters with disoriented deer, including juveniles separated from their mothers, are becoming increasingly common.
This is not only a wildlife issue. It is a public safety concern.
Why This Matters
- Increased risk of vehicle accidents due to animals unexpectedly entering the roadway
- Emotional and ethical distress within the community witnessing repeated animal fatalities
- Disruption of local ecosystems due to rapid development without mitigation measures
- Preventable suffering of wildlife during peak breeding seasons
Request for Immediate Action
We respectfully request that the City implement the following measures as soon as possible:
1. Install Wildlife Crossing / Slow Down Signage
Clear, visible signage along Cunningham Road alerting drivers to active wildlife crossings and encouraging reduced speeds.
2. Temporary Speed Reduction Measures
Consider reduced speed limits in high-incident zones or temporary traffic calming measures during peak displacement periods.
3. Conduct a Site Assessment
Send a city official or wildlife/environmental specialist to observe conditions firsthand and assess the scale of the issue.
4. Coordinate with Construction Developers
Require or encourage current development projects in the area to implement basic wildlife mitigation strategies (e.g., fencing, phased clearing, or safe escape corridors).
5. Explore Long-Term Solutions
Evaluate the feasibility of wildlife crossings, barriers, or other infrastructure solutions if the problem persists.
Community Support
This issue has already generated significant concern among residents, with dozens of community members reporting similar experiences and expressing a desire for immediate action.
We are prepared to provide documentation, including resident reports and photographic evidence, to support this request.
Closing
We understand that development is ongoing and necessary. However, simple, timely measures can significantly reduce harm to both wildlife and residents.
We respectfully ask for your attention and prompt action on this matter.
We also request the opportunity for a brief on-site meeting with a city representative to review conditions directly.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2026
60 Comments
Possums for one thing eat ticks! We’re all going to get Lymn Disease (this is spread to humans via ticks) now that the possums are being slaughtered by the dozens!
Building is just great for increasing population. That is not what is always best for the people and wildlife that live here. You want to make more money then make arrangements for areas to be blocked off, signs posted to watch for animals, monitor speeding in the area. We want trees and not all parking lots, condos, duplexes and businesses.
I live in Corryton and have seen dead hawks or turkeys recently. Opossum is a common site, struck down by speeding cars. Thanks for your concern.
This is very much needed. With all the new building along Cunningham, traffic is heavier and wildlife habitat destroyed, it is a sad situation.
Please let’s come together and save these beautiful and innocent creatures from unnecessary harm. Possums control ticks population in an unprecedented level. Let’s protect them along with other animals that are being harmed when trying to cross roads. We are their only hope of survival. They have no voice, not any representation.
It's not about accommodating the people moving here...it's about protecting the people that have lived here for years along with the wildlife being displaced. We are being ignored and overlooked just so you can fill your pockets at the expense of us and the wildlife.
Our area is growing fast but we are losing the most important part of our area. The wildlife we have deer and other wild animals that rely on wooded areas for cover and protection. The more we take the less we will have.
I am for this all over,over built knox county. To many invaders. Knox county is beyond full.
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Possums for one thing eat ticks! We’re all going to get Lymn Disease (this is spread to humans via ticks) now that the possums are being slaughtered by the dozens!