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ELKINS -- Police have been asked to issue more speeding violations in two Elkins parks after officials complained of problems with drivers not following the posted speed limits.
During Elkins City Council’s Sept. 17 meeting, Second Ward Council member Christopher Lowther informed Council that he has asked the Elkins Police Department to start issuing more speeding violations in Glendale Park and Riverbend Park.
Lowther, who is also a member of the Elkins Parks and Recreation Commission, explained that there has been a growing issue of speeding in Glendale Park and Riverbend Park. He stated that the Commission had discussed the matter during its most recent meeting and that he has personally witnessed vehicles driving at unsafe speeds in the parks himself.
“The speed limit in Glendale is 10 miles an hour, and then at Riverbend, it is 15 (mph) and once you come into the gate at the park, it drops to 10 (mph),” Lowther said during the meeting. “I’ve seen vehicles in the last few weeks coming in there 20-30 miles an hour.”
Lowther stated that the main concern was the safety of park visitors and of the children who have sporting events in the parks.
“There’s a lot of kids there right now,” Lowther said. “Kid steps out between a vehicle, there’s no way some of these vehicles could get stopped.”
Police officers will possibly visit the parks in the evening hours, around the time of sporting event practices, Lowther said. He said he’s hopeful they will issue some tickets, and that the tickets and word of mouth will let people know they need to watch their speed in the parks.
Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco also remarked that speeding in the parks occurs not just in the evening hours. The mayor said officials have received complaints about people speeding in the morning, and that he’s witnessed people “flying” in the parks while walking his dog.
Lowther noted four or five rubber speed bumps were placed in Glendale Park at the request of the youth football teams and that there were more to be installed, but he did not know if the speed bumps were helping. He said the speed bumps will have be pulled up by winter to allow for snow plowing.
“So if you are going into the parks, please watch your speed,” Lowther concluded.
The Elkins City Council will meet again at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15, after canceling their Oct. 1 meeting due to the Mountain State Forest Festival.