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| City Policy: Who will save Scenic? |
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| Written by Anandi Somasundaram | |||
| Friday, 08 January 2010 00:03 | |||
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Once upon a time in Blackberry Farm, there was a gate. This little gate, located on Scenic Circle allowed students to walk or bike from the west side of Stevens Creek Blvd to MVHS and Kennedy Middle School, passing through the farm. Students were able to avoid the steep, congested McClellan Road (which didn't even have a bike lane).
In 2005, the neighborhood surrounding Scenic Circle circulated a petition urging neighbors to support the decision to permanently close the gate because of the expected relentless car traffic from the Blackberry Farm renovation. Misinformed, the neighborhood did not realize the gate was still intended for bikes and pedestrians only.
Problem number one: A misinformed petitioner only brings more troubles later. Always know what you're petitioning.
The neighborhood put its own lock on the city gate and posted a notice that stated the gate had been closed.
Problem number two: It's illegal to put a personal lock on city property. But of course, adults will stop at nothing to have their peace and quiet. Since living next to a public park totally ensures peace and quiet of course.
One of the neighbors in the area, Carol Stanek, knew something wasn't right. When she explained to her neighbors that no car entrance at Scenic Circle was ever involved, her neighbors responded saying they definitely did not want to deter bikes and pedestrians.
"But the damage was done," Stanek said. "City Council was convinced that most [of the neighborhood] did not want the gate open at all. This was not true then and it is certainly not true now."
 Come 2006, with the help of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Stanek circulated a new petition which called for her neighbors' support of reopening the gate for just bicyclists and pedestrians. However, Blackberry Farm was going through renovations at the time so Council decreed the gate could not be open. The 2005 Council decision stood.
Effect of problem number one: Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.
Fast forward to 2009. With the park newly reopened, neighbors with students from Kennedy Middle School brought up the issue again. The new petition collected over 100 signatures and was presented to City Council at an October meeting. At the meeting, Council agreed to put the item on the Nov. 30 agenda. However, for reasons unknown, the agenda item was changed to approving a task force to study alternative routes to get to MVHS from the west side.
Problem number three: A task force? I would think since this is such an old topic there already is a lot of research. Let's not forget the 2006 petition. Not to mention the problem of the tri-school congestion has been an issue on the City Council agenda for years, with research also conducted in the area. Slow and steady wins the race, City Council? It's time to make a decision right now.
The current reasons Scenic Circle residents oppose the gate include: vandalism by students (that took place once, years ago), a lack of practicality (ensuring safety is practical), litter, disruption to the peaceful neighborhood and a possibility of cars parking on the street.
Problem number four: Blackberry Farm is a public park. Unless activity is going on after 11 p.m. (city curfew), parked cars and noise are to be expected.
Keeping the Scenic Boulevard gate open is a no-brainer. McClellan Road is notoriously known for its congested traffic and students need an alternative route to get to school on time. This gate would provide a safer, faster and more environmentally-friendly route to school. Open the Scenic gate, or pay the price when yet another bicyclist gets hit on McClellan.
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| Last Updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 22:17 |