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Hill across from "Sunoco"

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by boxerluvr168, Feb 14, 2007.

  1. boxerluvr168

    boxerluvr168 New Member

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    I am infuriated with the news brought to my attention by my young child this afternoon! :mad:
    Every year since I've lived in Broadlands, I have taken my children to the hill across from Sunoco on snow days. This hill is famous for attracting sledders of all ages. Today, two members of Van Metre began building a fence in the middle of the hill. They also persisted in calling the police. Many parents complain about the actions of kids who live in Broadlands. I agree with those parents on some levels, but why must we remove a favorite pastime of our own generation. :screwy:

    Any views or comments?
     
  2. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Because the hill spills directly in to a 4 lane road.
     
  3. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    It's a dangerous hill going into the street...I often wondered why parents allowed their kids to sled down it......even with parents there - it's an accident waiting to happen
     
  4. msflynn

    msflynn New Member

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    And kids have actually gone sledding out into that 4 lane road and almost been hit by a passing car. There were actually pictures of it in the Washington Post.
    I am sure parents would be screaming a lot more if there child was hit by a car as to why Van Meter did not do anything to prevent then from being allowed to sled on the hill
    Besides this property is not HOA property and since Van Meter owns it they right to do what ever it is they want. It is my understanding that the police were only called after people tore down the fencing they were putting up what a great example to show your children. You only have to respect others property if you agree with them if not just tear down the walls and do what you want anyway.

    Staci
     
  5. christinaandrob

    christinaandrob New Member

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    Please tell me you're kidding. With the ice, and the hill ending on a busy 4 lane road, it's an accident waiting to happen. People hardly ever stick to the 35 mph speed limit as it is.

     
  6. cindyb

    cindyb New Member

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    I'm glad that somone is looking out for the kids that unwisely use that hill. In this sue-happy society, Van Meter would have had to pay a high price if someone got hurt there.
     
  7. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    i've always been shocked that people allowed children to sled there- you get up enough speed and have NO control going right in to the street- how many lives would a child killed while child ruin! there are other hills to sled on that aren't a crapshoot.
     
  8. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The HOA has been asking Van Metre to do something about this for years.
    They own the property, so it is up to them to take action. Every time it snows, the HOA gets numerous complaints/warnings about kids sledding off the hill into the street.
    Today, as I was driving by a child couldn't stop and went over the curb into the street.
    Another of our Board members observed, in a 10 minute span, multiple kids going out in to the street and cars hitting the brakes hard to avoid them.
    The amazing thing to me is there was a group of 10 or so adults standing off to the side while all this was happening.
     
  9. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    That's exactly what I've been seeing for years....I take walks past that hill and have said to my husband....look at the parents who are watching these kids sled right into the street....CRAZY!!! And you can bet if one of those children got hit....the parent would be all over the driver....HUH???
     
  10. crimewatcher703

    crimewatcher703 New Member

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    well, i agree with everyone.
    it is very dangerous, but the kids find it amusing so, i think there should be some type of blockade from the street, but still allow sledding.
    i believe it's the highest elevation in broadlands, and it's fun to sled down it.
    i think there should be another way to handle this.
     
  11. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Heck, when I was a kid growing up in Sterling Park, we sled ON the streets! :D
    Now, these were steep hills that very few cars could use when snow or ice covered and as the street(s) were popular, parents were always cautious before using.
     
  12. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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  13. Silence Dogood99

    Silence Dogood99 New Member

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    Bummer. Walked my dog yesterday and sat on top of that hill watching a dozen kids going down that hill safely, having a great time. Reminded me of the good old days, simple, clean fun.

    Today, I drove by and parents had their SUV's parked along the street to keep the kids from going into the street. Must have been 20 kids there. Like a Norman Rockwell scene with kids and parents out together.

    But I know safety comes first. Just too bad they can't go down there safely. Is there another good spot for the kids to enjoy together?
     
  14. boxerluvr168

    boxerluvr168 New Member

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    I do agree with the dangers because of the road, however I also agree with CrimeWatcher. There should be another solution to this other than puting up a bright orange fence in the middle of the hill.
    And in case anyone would like to know, the police handled the cituation very comical by pushing a teenage boy on his sled through the fence.:offtopic:
    I would hope that this situation is approached with a different look, and solved in a way that is fair to the children and to the parents who enjoy this activity with them!
     
  15. joy

    joy New Member

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  16. agnesk

    agnesk New Member

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    Well, if Van Metre is that concerned, they can fix the hill by taking it down. Some of you "old timers" of Broadlands probably remember that the "hill" was once a dumping ground for fill dirt. It used to be a flat lot. Over time, it became a hill; it was graded at the top to be flat and then landscaped.

    If it can be put up, it can be taken down.

    Are there any other hills around to direct the children to? I'd love it if someone could post where they go within walking distance in the Broadlands.
     
  17. Tech Head

    Tech Head New Member

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    I didn't see any fence there this morning.
     
  18. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    They don't want to remove it because of the cost.
     
  19. lgortman

    lgortman New Member

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    I loved going to the hill. What a bunch of whinners. I moved from Chicago and kids used sleds everywhere there to have fun. I went to the hill last year and had a blast and most parents were at the bottom of the hill waiting on their kids to come down. Just some more HOA BS! Do people in the south have fun are they all just uptight and don't like to have fun... Thats is, let the kids play in the street or stay in the house when there is ice / snow out.. That is a lot of fun for a kid, no lets let them play videos all day.... Unbelieveable at what people complain about around this area.
    Its called MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR KID ON THE HILL, THEN DON'T LET THEM GO. BUT DON'T BOTHER THOSE WHO LIKE TO HAVE FUN IN LIFE AND LOVE TO BUILD MEMORIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN. I GUESS JUMPING OFF A TRAIN TRESEL 25FT INTO WATER WITH YOUR KIDS WOULD REALLY FREAK YOU PEOPLE OUT.
     
  20. tyger31

    tyger31 Member

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    I've seen kids sledding down the hill over by the Greenway right before the overpass....that's within walking distance....
     

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