I’ve made the argument before on this blog that we’ve got it pretty darn good down here in our little end-of-the-road community. And as evidence for this contention, I’ve cited the kinds of stories that my neighbors and other blog readers think I ought to write about. While we may be plenty upset about the big issues (war in Iraq, the state of our investment portfolios, and the Taylor Swift/Kanye West contretemps, for example), what really seems to rile us the most is discourtesy and rule breaking—especially when perpetrated by outsiders.
Here’s a second edition of the petty irritants Madison Parkers seem to be dealing with this summer (in other words, more of our pet peeves):
People who come to the Park but are too lazy or too imbecilic to walk a few feet to get to the stairs. The target here is those bums who decide they just can’t walk that far and therefore head up or down the embankment, trampling both the vegetation and the protective fencing in the process. One of my neighbors was witness to an accident a few weeks ago where an elderly woman walking along 43rd tripped on the wire fencing and was nearly impaled on one of the metal fence posts. He himself had earlier tripped in the same area while making a morning run. The Parks Department has repeatedly repaired the fences, but they still seem to end up at least partially on the sidewalk after every heavily-attended weekend at the Park.
People who have the misguided belief that everyone in the Park gets up at 6:30 in the morning (or, more likely, have never given it a moment’s thought). It’s those early-morning runners, walkers and bikers who travel in tandem and talk loudly to others in their pod that I’m referring to here. This is especially an issue in the summer when windows may be open and street noises are even more intrusive. To these miscreants we ask “Does the whole neighborhood really need to hear about what your podiatrist told you during your last visit?” Also at fault: walking cell-phone users who apparently believe that the person on the other end won’t hear them unless they shout the entire conversation.
People who put their dog poop in other people’s trashcans. Yes, I know this is much better behavior than the other thing. But believe it or not, some Madison Park residents (especially those who don’t own dogs) object to dog poop in their receptacles when the cans are located close to open windows or decks --and it’s 100 degrees outside. I know, this attitude does seem strange.
People who come down to use the Park from other neighborhoods (or, heaven forbid, even from outside of Seattle) and then actually park their cars on our streets. Some of us can’t even park in front of our own homes as a result! In some cases we can’t even get out of our own driveways because of illegally parked cars. And where are the City’s parking enforcement people at 6:30 on a Sunday afternoon? (P.S. Can’t these Park users go to the beach somewhere else, such as Alki?)
Here’s a second edition of the petty irritants Madison Parkers seem to be dealing with this summer (in other words, more of our pet peeves):
People who come to the Park but are too lazy or too imbecilic to walk a few feet to get to the stairs. The target here is those bums who decide they just can’t walk that far and therefore head up or down the embankment, trampling both the vegetation and the protective fencing in the process. One of my neighbors was witness to an accident a few weeks ago where an elderly woman walking along 43rd tripped on the wire fencing and was nearly impaled on one of the metal fence posts. He himself had earlier tripped in the same area while making a morning run. The Parks Department has repeatedly repaired the fences, but they still seem to end up at least partially on the sidewalk after every heavily-attended weekend at the Park.
People who have the misguided belief that everyone in the Park gets up at 6:30 in the morning (or, more likely, have never given it a moment’s thought). It’s those early-morning runners, walkers and bikers who travel in tandem and talk loudly to others in their pod that I’m referring to here. This is especially an issue in the summer when windows may be open and street noises are even more intrusive. To these miscreants we ask “Does the whole neighborhood really need to hear about what your podiatrist told you during your last visit?” Also at fault: walking cell-phone users who apparently believe that the person on the other end won’t hear them unless they shout the entire conversation.
People who put their dog poop in other people’s trashcans. Yes, I know this is much better behavior than the other thing. But believe it or not, some Madison Park residents (especially those who don’t own dogs) object to dog poop in their receptacles when the cans are located close to open windows or decks --and it’s 100 degrees outside. I know, this attitude does seem strange.
People who come down to use the Park from other neighborhoods (or, heaven forbid, even from outside of Seattle) and then actually park their cars on our streets. Some of us can’t even park in front of our own homes as a result! In some cases we can’t even get out of our own driveways because of illegally parked cars. And where are the City’s parking enforcement people at 6:30 on a Sunday afternoon? (P.S. Can’t these Park users go to the beach somewhere else, such as Alki?)
People who allow their dogs to come out and bark at every person, animal and delivery truck that goes by their house. Okay, to be honest, no one suggested this was a story I should cover. But they were just being polite, since my dogs are notorious barkers. In my defense, I limit the barking to between the hours between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm (11:00 pm on weekends). I’ll try to do better.
[Photo of the Park fencing on 43rd Avenue E. near E. Howe Street by David Hutchins.]
[Photo of the Park fencing on 43rd Avenue E. near E. Howe Street by David Hutchins.]
ReplyDeleteWE CALL HIM WEEGEE
he's there before the cops
what about the lawn care blowers that go on for hours and finish by blowing it all into the streets
ReplyDeletewhat about the folks that have garages and drive ways, but park in the street
what about the drivers that don't yield to foot traffic - especially at 43 and Madison