Resident asks Hammond to add no-parking signs and pavement markings near Forsyth Park field; engineering to review

A resident on May 15 asked the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety to place no-parking signs and paint a fire lane near a field at Forsyth Park, saying parked cars on the sidewalk force children to walk around vehicles.

Wendy Adam, who said she has worked with the park for 27 years, told the board she had photographs showing vehicles parked along narrow park roads and on sidewalks, which block safe passage and can prevent fire rigs from getting through. “People have a tendency to park… it becomes a 1 way. But as you're in coming into the baseball area… it's impossible for a fire rig and stuff to get through there,” Adam said.

Staff acknowledged the problem and supported posting signs along the drive where vehicles currently park. A staff member suggested stenciling "no parking" or a fire-lane marking on the asphalt near the visitor side of the Lisonbee League field; staff noted that painting or thermoplastic installation may require contracting or coordination with Public Works. The board recommended referring the request to engineering for a recommendation back to the board.

Adam said she would keep cones already placed in the area but reported drivers sometimes park between cones. The transcript records no vote; the board agreed to send the request to engineering for formal recommendations and implementation planning.