The village recently asked citizens to respond to a survey, asking how the new signage seems to work for those who live in the village. So when I parked on Pleasant Street the other day, I thought I would take a photo of one of the new signs and would then study it.
I took a friend along, and after we studied it for a few minutes, a postal delivery person came along. Then came a young mom who lived in one of the apartments on the block. Here is our consensus: It’s not that the squares or colors or letters or symbols are confusing. It’s that there are FAR too many varieties.
This sign, with an arrow pointing left and another arrow pointing right, is a perfect example. It is not placed at an alley or any sort of turning point. It is directly between a house and an apartment/condo building. What if a person parks smack between those arrows? Which side does (s)he consider to be binding?
Of course, I am kidding, but, seriously, on which day of the week could you get a ticket if you parked (name the section)? And what happens when it snows? And if you don’t own a cellphone or happen to live out of the area, how can you figure out if it’s OK to park?
I am not against progress, but this new signage doesn’t help as much as the village would like it to. Is there any way that the amount of regulations can be reduced? Both the mail carrier and the young mom said they have received many tickets in the general area of this sign, mostly because the regulations are so tight and the signs are so confusing. In fact, the mom is moving, and parking is one of the reasons. I would love to see other residents weigh in with good ideas!
Janet Haisman
Oak Park