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Clovis committee discusses traffic calming, parking near Hillcrest Park on Sycamore Street
Summary
City staff and committee members discussed traffic calming and parking near Hillcrest Park, where new playground, pickleball and basketball courts are expected to increase pedestrian activity. No formal action was taken; staff will consult a roadway design consultant and look at signage.
City staff opened a discussion on traffic and parking along Sycamore Street between 14th and 7th streets after recent improvements at Hillcrest Park, including a new playground and new pickleball and basketball courts.
"With all of these new amenities that we're adding out there, it makes us start to think about...parking," said Mister Hobart, a staff member, who asked the committee to consider options to calm traffic and improve pedestrian access. Hobart said the roadway is posted at 35 miles per hour and that drivers often travel faster than posted speeds. "Originally, I thought, hey, we could install a couple of speed humps...but...we could look at it in different perspectives and different angles," he said.
The discussion focused on potential design responses rather than regulatory changes. Options Hobart outlined included speed humps, curb‑side striping to formalize parallel parking with a buffer zone, median treatments at Hillcrest Park entrances, curb bump‑outs to improve sight triangles and working with private property owners near the intersection of 7th and Sycamore to reduce parked vehicles that block visibility. Hobart said staff has reviewed traffic and accident counts and that a two‑way stop is still warranted at 7th and Sycamore; a four‑way stop or traffic signal is not.
Committee members described the intersection and adjacent on‑street parking as a safety concern that is likely to grow as the new courts and lighting bring more evening activity. One committee member said the park entrance concentrates short walks, picnics and caretakers unloading equipment, which encourages curbside parking immediately adjacent to playgrounds and courts. Several members urged the city to examine improved wayfinding and signage to direct visitors to the Aquatic Center parking and to consider dual‑use parking if an expanded Aquatic Center lot is built.
Staff said the city is coordinating conceptually with Curry County on a proposed sports complex that might expand the Aquatic Center and provide overflow parking, and that a consultant could be asked to produce a "typical section" for Sycamore from 14th to 7th to evaluate tradeoffs and recommend treatments. "I could see a parking lot over there being a dual use parking lot for the park in general," Hobart said.
Speakers also noted sight‑line problems at the offset intersection near Bill's Auto and discussed the possibility of asking that property owner to relocate vehicles now parked within the sight triangle. One committee member suggested small radius bump‑outs might reduce crossing distances and improve visibility but conceded such changes could remove one or two parking spaces.
No formal vote or motion was taken on Sycamore Street during the meeting. Staff said next steps will include contacting a consultant to prepare design options and reviewing wayfinding/signage to direct park users to existing parking areas, with further committee discussion to follow.
