OGDEN -- The city has proposed a solution for on-street parking problem at Mount Ogden Park and nearby residents are hoping it will work.
The city is in the process of making it illegal for drivers who don't live in the neighborhood to park on the west side of Taylor Avenue where the street runs adjacent to Mount Ogden Park, at 3144 Taylor Ave.
City Public Services Director Jay Lowder said the change is necessary for the safety of children who play soccer in the park and have to cross the street, as well as the sanity of residents living near the park.
"The park gets busy sometimes, especially on the weekends when we have a lot of soccer games," Lowder said. "We'll have cars lined up on both sides of the street and little kids will be darting across the street to get to their games."
But the children's safety is only part of the issue.
Dave Cawley lives on Taylor across the street from the park. He said on busier days getting in and out of his driveway can be a nightmare.
As parking spaces become scarce, Cawley said, drivers become creative in finding ways to park on the street.
"We've had people move our garbage cans; we've had people park right in front of our driveway," he said. "We've even had people park in our driveway. It can get pretty out of control."
Lowder said the city is aware of the issue and is looking at several different ways to stop the problem.
"We've tried to alter soccer schedules so that everybody isn't converging on the park all at once," he said. "But at this point, we had to take it a step further to make things better for the neighborhood."
Later this spring the city will install signs and paint the curbing on the street, warning non-residents not to park there.
When the new signs go up, violators will be fined or could have their vehicles towed.
The city will issue permits to residents of the neighborhood, showing they are allowed to park on the street.
Kevin and Cheryl Schofield said they are pleased with the upcoming change, but would also like to see another parking lot installed.
"It's a good idea because people speed through here and you have kids crossing the street," Kevin Schofield said. "But they should really think about taking some of the open land and build a bigger parking lot."
Ima Jean Atkinson lives on Taylor Avenue and said she's for anything that will clear up space around her yard and driveway.
But Cawley wonders how effective the new policy will be.
"It's a noble idea, but I don't think it will accomplish what they want it to," he said of the city's plans. "The people are still going to come to the park. They aren't going away and they're going to want to park wherever they can find space."
Cawley thinks there is really only one solution for the parking problem.
"I think they should turn it back into a neighborhood park," he said. "I have nothing against soccer at all, but you have so many leagues here now it's just become a zoo."
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