LAKELAND, Fla. — The City of Lakeland is working to prevent wildlife from being hit and killed by vehicles in the Lake Morton Drive area, and city leaders are turning to the community for help. 

The Lake Morton Drive area is home to 60 of the city's swans, numerous other wildlife, and it's a place where joggers, pedestrians and families congregate. 

Seven swans have been hit there, and five were killed. A jogger was also hit around the lake and spent a week in the ICU, according to the city's spokesman. 

"I'm so sick and tired," resident Jeni Taylor said, discussing her outrage over all of the wildlife and people getting hit. 

She said she sees people speeding around the lake often, however, the city's traffic study of the area revealed speeding wasn't the issue. 

If people drove on average 18 miles per hour around the lake. The study determined distracted driving was the issue.

The city lowered the speed limit from 25 to 20 miles per hour and staff are trying to figure out what else they should do to make the area safer. 

They are considering adding raised cross walks, marked parking, bulb out intersections, landscaped medians, and reflective flashing signs near crosswalks. Before staff decides what to do, they want to hear from residents.

The city has a survey on its website where residents can share their thoughts on the issue through October 7. 

"I just hope we can find a way by working all together to stop these tragedies from happening," Taylor said. 

The city's study revealed more than 5,100 people use the roadway around the lake on a daily basis. 

The City of Lakeland is working to prevent wildlife from being hit and killed by vehicles in the Lake Morton Driver area, and city leaders are turning to the community for help. (Stephanie Claytor, staff)
The City of Lakeland is working to prevent wildlife from being hit and killed by vehicles in the Lake Morton Driver area, and city leaders are turning to the community for help. (Stephanie Claytor, staff)