Dear Editor:
The disrespect being shown by Yorkton motorists during this Summer construction season is having a very negative effect on the Greenspace located between the Linden Square Mall and Morrison Drive. Motorists have been and are continuing to ignore the posted Detour signs that direct them to use either the streets North of the Mall or Darlington Avenue during the period that Mayhew Avenue is not accessible as it is being resurfaced. Motorists have taken it upon themselves to decide that a shortcut down the back alley and across the grass of the Greenspace on the North side of Linden Square Mall, and then down the back alley next to the Mall, then across the Mall parking lot, is the way to drive. The grass they are driving on was being destroyed before this past weeks rain, now it is totally wrecked as it has turned to mud as Motorists continue to drive across it. In addition the mud is being tracked onto the back alley which used to be gravel, turning it into a mud covered mess that the local residents now have to deal with. If you are one of these motorists perhaps you should consider the following:
- Greenspace in the City is provided at the cost of the taxpayers and provides both an attractive area for the City residents and in this case also a buffer zone between the Commercial and Residential area. It is not a street intended to be driven on!
- Back alleys are provided for City service crews, emergency personnel, and an access for local property owners to their back yards. They are not for general everyday use as major streets.
- Detours are put in place to provide Motorists an alternate route during construction periods. It is not for Motorists to decide at their own discretion where a shortcut should be!
- How would you like it if everyone started driving across your lawn everyday turning it into a mud bog?
- How would you like it if your gravel back alley was now a mud covered back alley?
- We often hear people complaining about our tax dollars being spent unwisely. Well now thanks to all you Motorists who have been using this shortcut we will see some of our tax dollars being spent to repair the Greenspace you are helping to destroy.
From the beginning of the construction on Mayhew Avenue there were Detour signs in place and barricades in the back alley. The Motorists who are using this shortcut are driving right by the barricades showing complete disrespect for the Greenspace, the City, the local residents, and our tax dollars. Come on people, wake up and take the extra few minutes to use the posted Detour routes. On a side note, thank you to the City for continuing to upgrade out streets as funds allow. It is awesome to see the improvements year after year. Great job City of Yorkton, shame on you to all the Motorists who are contributing to the destruction of one of our Greenspace areas!
Wade Berlinic,
Yorkton Resident
