Byerly Park Signs
Park entrances fascinate me. Many clues about a park’s operating philosophy can be revealed by studying the design, landscaping, maintenance, lighting, and signage around the entrance.
My guess is that the three remaining readers of HVTD (Bubba, the Royalty from the Left Coast & the King of Bean Town) could care less about the Russell Road entrance to Byerly Park but I know they love me and they want to stay connected to their hometown so I dedicate this post to them. Hello friends.
I went to the park yesterday and I felt relly welcomed. Here’s why:
1. A big red “Stop…use other entrance” sign hanging from the newly installed traffic control gate that was swung open.
2. Five steps past the gate is a “No Parking” sign that explains the SC Code in detail.
3. Ten steps past the first No Parking sign is a big sign informing me of all the things I can’t do at the park. People did not like my old HVTD posts because they were too long. That sign reminds me of my old posts. Come to think of it, this post reminds me of those posts and that sign—too many words.
4. Next to the rules sign is a red sign informing me I must “Park in Marked Areas Only.”
5. Directly across the street from those two signs is a sign that reads “No Parking.” On the back of that sign is a sign that reads “No Parking.”
6. A few steps later is another No Parking sign. The back of the sign also reads No Parking.
7. Another 25 steps and another “Can’t do anything” rules sign is posted. This time it is on the left side of the street.
8. Five more steps is the entrance to the softball complex and two identical signs hanging side-by-side that list the rules of the softball complex. Two is better than one…that is what I always say.
9. Another 25 yards and another “No Parking” sign along the road. The back side of the sign also reads No Parking.
10. Ten yards later, a red “No Parking Either Side of Roadway” sign is posted. Bummer, I wanted to park there.
11. Two more front/back No Parking signs (one of the left side of the road and one on the right side of road) complete my welcome to Byerly Park.
In review, I think that adds up to 14 No Parking signs, a stop use other entrance sign, two red signs informing me where not to park, four rules signs, and no welcome signs. The message is so subtle that I may need to read a psychology book before making any final judgments but I think we may have a control issue on our hands. Perhaps some fresh ideas about park management are needed.
jj
John,
All fair comments—and some valid points here. I did check on the Russell Road gate and was informed that it is open during normal hours and closed at nigh for safety. If you find this information to be in error—please give me a call so that we can get some answers.
Hope you are well,
Mel Pennington
Mayor, City of Hartsville