الوصف
A Queen Palm was demolished earlier today when a car westbound on Lake Park skidded out of control. This is not an emergency since he tree has already been removed.
While I the hope the driver wasn't seriously injured, this incident raises two distinct issues:
#1: This was the third of the Queen Palms that were installed in 2003 as part of the Splash Pad project that were destroyed by out of control vehicles. On the first two occasions, as far as I know, no efforts were made by the city to sue for damages that would be used to plant replacement palms. An established Queen Palm this size is going to run about $600 -$700 and delivery and installation will double that price. Since the Public Works Department is extremely short-staffed and lacking in funds, this latest palm is not going to be replaced unless the driver's insurance company foots the bill. As we all know, the city is being sued constantly--often for far less clear-cut reasons. How about us trying to level the playing field?
#2: There have been numerous accidents on this short stretch of Lake Park -- typically cars speeding as they come off the freeway and/or speeding up to try and make the green light on Grand. The palm in the median across from KFC was destroyed several years ago and not replaced. The one today was across from Chao Thai. Another three palms in that median are heavily scarred from earlier accidents. I'd strongly suggest that Traffic Engineering look into installation of signs that warn of a curve ahead and/or 25mph speed limit signs or whatever else may do the trick.
30 تعليقs
تم إقراره City of Oakland (تم التحقق رسميا)
Eileen (مستخدم مسجل)
Erik N (مستخدم مسجل)
I bet the legal costs in going after the insurance companies dwarf the cost of the trees.
That street could some some good-sized speed-bumps though; drivers treat it as an extension of the freeway.
Carly B (ضيف)
I agree on all of the above. extension of the freeway especially- speed monitors? speed limit signs?
Additionally, can the city of Oakland ask the Farmer's Market to direct traffic on Saturdays when traffic/congestion is completely out of control? I realize this is a different issue but if Traffic Engineering can address that issue perhaps they can come up with other creative resolutions for the speed issue.
Rachel Broadwin (ضيف)
Eileen (مستخدم مسجل)
Ken Katz (ضيف)
Eileen (مستخدم مسجل)
John (ضيف)
Naomi Schiff (ضيف)
Kevin Dalley (مستخدم مسجل)
I prefer that the South American Queen Palm be replaced with a native California tree.
In any case, something should go in its place.
A small tree is cheaper than a large tree and will become more established in time, if it survives future collisions.
Ken Katz (ضيف)
Kevin,
Although I'm a big believer in planting California Natives -- not in this case. The replacement tree should match the trees adjacent to it in the median and across the street in Splash Pad Park. In addition, it's the perfect choice for a narrow median on a heavily traveled street with a narrow trunk and a canopy high above traffic. A small tree in this instance would be especially problematic as it would need to be heavily pruned on a regular basis -- which the city is not currently equipped to do.
That said, I do appreciate you keeping this issue alive. I've yet to get a response from Public Works on whether or not they've attempted to collect damages from the driver's insurance.
Kevin Dalley (مستخدم مسجل)
Ken,
I would rather have an imperfect :) non-native than no tree at all.
Have you tried calling PWA to find out who is responsible for this ticket?
ME (مستخدم مسجل)
Mark G (مستخدم مسجل)
Something that should also be considered is to install cement bollards or sturdy fencing around these vulnerable trees:
http://www.idealshield.com/blog/tag/cement-bollard/
They would better protect the trees from offending, errant cars.
ChestnutMare (مستخدم مسجل)
Section 22500 CVC Will be Enforced (مستخدم مسجل)
Eileen (مستخدم مسجل)
Ken Katz (مستخدم مسجل)
I heard several months ago that Public Works was going to replace a couple of the palms and they did, in fact, go out and paint the curb or put in flags.
Unfortunately, my impression is that this would be done with public funds - i.e., taxpayers are footing the bill.
I do think that contacting the City Attorney would be appropriate but I'd also suggest the City Auditor's office. If it's only one or two people who are complaining, we won't get anywhere. Is it feasible to put together a petition or group letter followed by a My Word column in the Tribune? Between SeeClickFix and Facebook, we might be able to shake things up a bit.
P.S. Matt and Eileen, thanks for keeping this issue active.
ChestnutMare (مستخدم مسجل)
ChestnutMare (مستخدم مسجل)
Edward H (مستخدم مسجل)
Natsu (مستخدم مسجل)
Carly B. mentioned speed monitors - I'm assuming she meant those mounted solar-powered radar displays? If this is the case, then I must say...they don't work. About 60% of the drivers use them for what they are, but the rest seem to think this is a high score they need to beat. I've seen it all too often in other neighborhoods. "What? Only 38? I can do better than that! *VROOOM!!!*"
And I will agree that this intersection needs some serious work to curb the lead-footed types. It's been horrible now for at least the 6 years since I've been here.
Ken Katz (مستخدم مسجل)
JAVIN (مستخدم مسجل)
However, I thought the idea of "fixing" the problem of speeding crashes by posting a 'slow/25 mph' sign was hilarious. The point of being a speeder, or course, it to IGNORE the posted speed limits, right?
KH (مستخدم مسجل)
Weatoaklandneighbor (مستخدم مسجل)
Ken Katz (مستخدم مسجل)
DieSal (مستخدم مسجل)
Ken Katz (مستخدم مسجل)