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Residents and council press for Division Street safety fixes; parks upgrades to move forward in coming months
Summary
Residents urged action on speeding and pedestrian safety on Division Street following traffic pattern changes; council members and staff also provided updates on delayed park-playground upgrades and a planned parks maintenance facility.
Local residents told Harrisburg City Council on April 22 that Division Street has become a “racetrack” for drivers since recent roundabout and street changes, and they asked elected officials to pursue crosswalks, lighting or other traffic-calming measures.
Attorney Corky Goldstein, who said he was born and lives near Italian Lake, told council that traffic diverted from Second Street has increased speeds on Sixth, Seventh and Division streets, making it difficult for children and residents — including students at Cam Curtin Academy and occupants of Green Street Apartments — to cross safely. Goldstein and other speakers asked the council and administration to study crossing improvements, lighting and speed enforcement.
Melanie Cook and other residents described frequent high-speed traffic along Third, Graham and Division streets and said drivers often fail to stop at posted signs. Councilmembers acknowledged the complaints and said staff should investigate potential engineering or enforcement remedies.
Councilwoman Rawls provided an update on several parks and playground projects frequently raised by residents. She said that concepts for upgrades to Seventh and Radnor Field, Gorgas Playground and Wilson Park will be posted to the city website in coming weeks and that construction is scheduled to begin in May following earlier delays; she also said that Reservoir Park had earlier been scheduled for work to conclude in February 2025 but that schedule slipped. Rawls told residents that the executive branch oversees implementation of construction and that residents should contact the mayor’s administration for more detailed updates; she also said council members continue to request administration briefings to provide residents with direct information.
Councilmembers at the meeting noted the horticultural and recreation value of the parks and said coordinating planning and security with nearby businesses and homeowners would be important as renovation work proceeds. Separately, council discussed a lot-consolidation resolution related to a new parks maintenance facility tied to SRTA redevelopment that the council approved unanimously during the same session; councilmembers said outstanding questions about indemnity and formal agreements remain before construction begins.
