sledding on the hill--is this OK?

Do parents have the right to stand in the middle of the road on Truro Parish (across from the Sunoco) so that they can "prevent" their kids from sledding into oncoming traffic? Are they allowed to wave their arms like crazy to get oncoming traffic (that has the right of way) to move to another lane or slow down (beyond the posted speed limit) for their kid?

I had a few parents wave their arms at me and tell me to slow down --yet I was already doing below the speed limit!!! I am shocked by what I saw...what if for one split second (while they are busy waving their arms!) they miss their kid and he/she sleds right into oncoming traffic? Or what if a driver hit them, since after all they are standing in the middle of the road??

I'm all for kids having fun and all, but I don't think I should have to come to almost a complete stop and then switch lanes just so they can enjoy their ride. There are plenty of kid-friendly areas around Broadlands that do not interfere with oncoming traffic. It seems like a safety and liability issue for everyone.

I'm sure I'll get flamed for my opinion, but I'm just curious about what others think??

 

I'll direct the flames my way because I'd call the Sheriff's Office if kids were sledding in the street. What the hell are the parents thinking, teaching their kids that it's OK to sled in the streets!

 

There is a discussion on what do to with this area. The original plans for this area was that it was going to be removed and the area used for additional houses.

That has supposedly changed, but now the HOA Board needs to decide what to do about sledding on this hill. As you pointed out, it is VERY dangerous for the kids, parents and the drivers.

I believe this may be one of the topics that may be brought up at the Developers Update on Thursday at the Middle School.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Thanks Neil, I am glad the issue is being reviewed.

I am also glad to hear that I am not the only who thinks this sends the wrong message to kids. Unfortunately based on the crowd of parents, kids, and parked cars over there today, I think we may be in the minority.

 

I agree, this isn't the safest place to sled. Why doesn't the HOA build a designated sled hill for the neighborhood? They could rent out the nature center for private use to fund it. The sled Hill would be much more useful to most residents than the nature center will ever be.

 

A designated sled hill? I hope that was sarcastic...

 

Yeah, and in the summer we could use it for hang-gliding.

 

No... not sarcastic at all. Where I lived in California had such a hill. it was a briliant idea. Hey DUTCHML.....you been to the pool latley?

lyo

 

I suppose the pool and especially the diving board pose no risk of litigation......The existing hill across from the Sunoco has been used for years in this manner and the fact that Neil says they are aware of the problem says to me they aren't really concerned with a lawsuit or they could easily erect a fence around the hill. Infact, stating the asscociation is aware and has not acted to eliminate the risk in a public forum opens the HOA up to big risk.

lyo

 

To the pool, lately? Ummm, no.

 

Clarification-
The hill IS NOT, I repeat, IS NOT under the ownership or control of the HOA. That piece of property is still owned and maintained by the developer, Van Metre. Whatever happens on it is there responsibility, not the HOA's.
What Neil was referring to is that the developer wants to "give" the hill property to the HOA. I am adamently opposed to this for the obvious reason that it is a huge liablity for the HOA.
The previous developer, TerraBrook had always stated that the hill was a "temporary" storage of fill material and that it would eventually be removed. Van Metre has decided that it would be too costly to haul it out and wants to turn over the property to the HOA.
GCyr is right...if there are actually people in the street directing cars around the sledders, call the sheriff.

 

Please re-read my message, and Cliff's additional clarification. In no way did I state that the HOA 'owned' the hill, just that there is a discussion about what to do about the area, and the board (a majority of which are the developer's employees) has to decide what to do about sledding. The homeowner members at the last meeting were trying to tactfully point out potential developer liability issues, based on the fact that there was sledding today, the developer members didn't get the hint.







Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Gotcha, Van Metre has been a major disappointment. Thanks for clairifying that the liability is their's and they have been made aware of the problem.

lyo

 

FYI-When I drove by the hill last night (at dusk), there were plenty of kids and parents, and even 2 flares set up on the right shoulder (curb) I guess to alert drivers to the street-sledding. Sorry, people, there are PLENTY of other, safer places to sled...

 

Oh please...it's this type of frivilous litigation that both makes a mockery of and ties up our legal system. "That hill there, my children are drawn to it like a mosquitto to a big zapper...I'm powerless to control them! It's the owner of the hill's fault, not mine...now pay up." Simple solution, post a 'No Sledding/Biking' sign on the hill. We don't need bylaws and hearings and forums to protect every idiot out there from themselves...have a little responsibility.

 

OMG!!! Flares? I can't believe that parents would do that. My husband and I were out walking yesterday and saw the kids and parents sledding on this hill - neither one of us could believe what we were seeing - kids sledding down the hill - while their parents were standing in the street motioning cars to slow down. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

 

Brim...of course such lawsuits are frivolous yet they happen all the time and are in large part settled out of court regardless of the legitimacy of the claim. That is why republicans are pushing for tort reform, to take away the incentive from the attorneys to file these claims.

lyo

 

brim-
I can virtually guarantee you that even if there were neon flashing signs warning people to stay off the hill, if someone sled down it and got injured, the OWNER of the hill would be sued. No ifs, ands, or buts.
This is why I am adamently opposed to the HOA accepting ownership of that monstrosity.