Editor, The Smithfield Times:

At the bottom of the Fairway Drive ramp that empties onto Route 10 toward Main Street, there’s always been an opening in the fence that allows walkers, runners and cyclists access to Cedar Road leading to Windsor Castle Park. Many folks from local neighborhoods, particularly Cypress Creek where I reside, use this as a quick, safe and easy means to access the park on foot in lieu of having to use a vehicle and make the circuitous drive through downtown and then on to Cedar and Jericho before reaching the park. 

However, earlier this month the town surprisingly eliminated this much-used shortcut by closing off the fence and erecting ugly orange barriers, which are a major eyesore. I understand there have been some issues in the past with vehicles or golf carts cutting through the opening and rutting the ditch, which I agree needs to be stopped, but there has to be a better way. 

I would like to propose that the town remove the fence and barriers from that spot and replace with three or four heavy bollards that are spaced such that larger vehicles/carts cannot pass but pedestrian traffic can easily fit through. These bollards can be of the removable and locking type so they could be easily taken out if maintenance crews or law enforcement needed temporary access. 

This solution provides the best of both worlds as it will eliminate any vehicle cut-throughs while allowing those on foot and bikes to safely pass. This should be a very inexpensive undertaking and would serve the local citizenry well.

 

Bill Dancy

Smithfield