In parking news . . .
Blah blah blah
Okay, it might seem like we’re dissing our faithful City Manager Tom Aspell with this headline, but we can assure you that our “I Heart Tom” button is still firmly pinned on.
It’s just that we tend to have that reaction when we have to write about parking. Especially parking in winter. Ugh.
Here goes, anyway: “On-street parking becomes somewhat challenging at this time of year due to snow banks along the curb that result in parked vehicles encroaching further into the traveled way,” Aspell says. “Many narrow streets have become temporarily reduced in width so that only one narrow lane is available for two-way traffic.”
He goes on: “A concern is that a carelessly parked vehicle can create such a narrow opening along the street that passage by large vehicles becomes impossible. This becomes a life-safety issue when the vehicle is an emergency responder such as an ambulance or fire engine.”
Any parkers feeling guilty right about now? Aspell has more to say to you: “Drivers should note that city ordinance 18-1-4(a) prohibits the parking of any vehicle upon a street or alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 12 feet of width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic.”
And then, just to end things on a nice note, he adds: “We appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we get through yet another snow-filled winter.”
Get off the ice!
Now!
Says Aspell: “Now that Mother Nature has dealt us a dose of a belated January thaw, along with heavy wet snow, the pond at White Park is no longer safe for ice skating.”
He adds: “The edges of the pond are melting and the ice is now concave, indicating that the ice will not support equipment to maintain the ice or safely harbor skaters. The Grounds Division will continue to maintain the ice rink at White Park, along with the skating area at Merrill Park, for as long as possible. If temperatures drop and stable ice forms on the pond, every effort will be made to start skating up again.”
