Plain City officials are implementing new measures to slow down speeding drivers in Pastime Park. The specific area of concern is the path from the north entrance, at the top right corner of the graphic, down the west pathway illustrated with arrows, to the ball fields. Village staff and council would like to add more speed bumps and bollards, highlighted in yellow. The east pathway currently has a number of speed bumps, illustrated with red, and does not experience as many speeders. (Graphic submitted)
Plain City officials are searching for a way to slow down drivers through Pastime Park.
Parks and Recreation Director Linda Granger recently told council that excessive vehicle speeds are putting pedestrians at risk.
“It’s a miracle that we haven’t had something happen,” she said during a recent council work session.
Granger said the main concern surrounds drivers traveling from the north entrance of the park, down the west pathway toward the ball fields.
According to an evaluation from Village Administrator Nathan Cahall, the current configuration allows speeders to bypass the first speed bump by driving past the park office. From there, they encounter only one more speed bump, or none at all, depending on which path they take.
Cahall also noted that the speed bumps along that path are “pretty worn down, pretty small.”
He said the “best proactive means” could be “putting those (speed bumps) on steroids” and painting them yellow.
Two bollards could also be added near the park office, Cahall said.
He said it “narrows the throat” of that drive and gives a visual cue for drivers to slow down. The bollards would also prevent drivers from going around the first speed bump.
Cahall said the “biggest issue” faced by village staff is determining how to slow traffic in areas with gravel paths.
He said they are considering adding moveable speed bumps, which are generally made of a heavy duty plastic.
Council member Frank Reed said he understands the need to reduce vehicle speeds, but asked Cahall to consider the experience of park patrons.
He said more speed bumps could make for a “miserable” time for residents who enjoy going for leisurely drives through the park. Reed added that they could be an annoyance for walkers and bicyclists, as well.
Council President John Rucker said speed tables, which are longer than speed bumps and have flat tops, may alleviate that issue.
However, he said he is concerned that they may be significantly more expensive to install than speed bumps. Cahall said he would research pricing and provide council with a cost breakdown.
Otherwise, Cahall said divided speed bumps, which have a small path through the middle for bicyclists or walkers, could be installed.
Rucker also asked Cahall if it would be possible to close the road that connects the dump station to the stage area and allow only pedestrian traffic.
While logistically possible, Granger said speeds in that area of the park are not of major concern.
Of the drivers that post excessive speeds, Granger estimated 50:1 are “whizzing by to the south of the park office.”
“Yeah, it’s a danger,” she said.
Cahall said reducing speeds will likely be a matter of trial and error to determine which solution is most effective.
He said a first phase would include enhancing the first speed bump near the main entrance and adding the bollards. Granger suggested adding another speed bump near the park office.
Cahall said at least some of those changes will be in place within the next month.
From there, Granger can provide feedback and a cost breakdown can be used to determine what other changes can be incorporated into the 2022 budget.
Recommendations from staff also include adding five new speed bumps on the path to the ball fields.