North Forest Park Re-paving
by Jack Lattimore
Working to create an improved North
Forest Park Avenue between Windsor Mill Road and Security Boulevard, 12 neighbors came together on Thursday, September
11th to develop design criteria to present to project officials responsible for re-paving this stretch of road.
We reached agreement on a number of issues. Everyone agreed that this stretch of roadway is a significant and heavily traveled, yet neglected, gateway into Baltimore City. The design needs to be sensitive to our community's residential and environmental characteristics. Both roadway and streetscape improvements are necessary so that this gateway creates a sense of arrival and a good impression for those entering Baltimore City.
Items that the group wants to present to
the city's design team include: keeping North Forest Park Avenue a 2-lane road; installation of
90° curbing; improved access for side streets; traffic calming measures such as speed bumps or stop signs; resurfacing to better control runoff and help prevent
accidents; redesigning the bottleneck at Fredwall; installation of barriers to protect homes; installation of period lighting; dressing up the traffic triangle at Windsor Mill Road & Forest Park; burying the utilities along the roadway; a traffic circle at Windsor Mill &
Forest Park; protecting existing trees and the installing new trees.
Making this corridor pedestrian-friendly remains a challenge. Many neighbors along the roadway are opposed to sidewalks
because of concerns about the costs of installation and maintenance. Other neighbors |
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feel sidewalks are important, not just for safety, but because walking is a significant part of travel within the community - walking to neighbor's homes, to the store, the park, for exercise or to catch a bus.
In addition, maintenance and policing issues were discussed regarding this section of North Forest Park Avenue. Before the next meeting it was agreed that statistics regarding traffic and accidents would be obtained.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 23rd at 7 P.M. at Kernan Hospital in Conference Room A on the Terrace Level. Please plan to attend if you want to have your voice heard as we develop design criteria to present to the city.
Citywide, Countyside
A Note to Residents!
The SW City police precinct is conducting random "stings" in area neighborhoods, looking for untagged and
improperly tagged vehicles. They are towing them without notification. Those on private property will be getting tickets with stiff fines.
The County is, also, doing random code enforcement inspections of neighborhoods, especially the older established ones. They are also looking for untagged vehicles, as well as overgrown properties, trash and brush piles. If County residents are cited, they are usually given 30 days to correct the problem with no further consequences if corrected.
SW Fundraiser
The Southwestern Community Relations Council is selling raffle tickets for the Annual Christmas Basket Drive For Needy Families. |
