No Motorized Vehicles On The Boardwalk, By Default

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 04:35:40 +0000

I usually do not complain but if I get a small evidence on camera – why not? What does it take to follow the rules? They are not trivial at all.

I think by now you may know that my biggest issue here in Aurora is the failure to obey the rules; but no worries I am not planning to move out.

We do have a sign for almost everything. ‘No Dumping‘ sign with a pile of dump is a classic. No idling cars sign must be new because I saw lady idling her car in front of the Aurora Public Library for over five minutes. Sometimes I wonder if she ever knew that she can play her music in the car and draw radio power from the battery only.

In the same area myself and Matthew once smelled a cigarette smoke. I still laugh at his innocent comment, ‘Mom who is BBQing the chicken?‘.

Walking with Bikes, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

When Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk off St. John’s sideroad was first installed all kinds of things were permitted. Feeding ducks and biking were the two famous one. Then with time the ‘no feeding ducks‘ sign was placed on the railing which in a matter of small time faded due to the UV sunlight.

Walking with a Bike, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

Recently, swinging gates were installed telling bicycle riders to dismount their bikes and walk on the boardwalk. One cannot miss the sign and yet everyone is still biking on the boardwalk. I just do not understand how can you not see a sign that is practically in front of the biker’s face?

But that one day, couple of weeks ago, I don’t know what happened. People were obeying the rules. Everyone that passed by me was pushing bicycle beside them. Now figure that out. Why suddenly such a change? I don’t know. May be because one of the gates on the north side of the boardwalk was missing.

Another explanation is that I had my DSLR camera with telephoto lens attached. A paranoia of being captured on photo is another theory.

Walking with Bikes, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

I was happy to see that something worked and it was nice to see different age groups to follow the rules.

Until another day, this man had to ruin my hope, my excitement and my faith in the Aurora people – he decided to ride his motorcycle on the boardwalk. Or may be he is not from Aurora. Still it will not make me feel any better.

Motorized Vehicle on the Boardwalk, Nokiidaa Trail Link, Aurora

I went back to my older photographs and the sign said – oh no he is permitted to ride his motorcycle. The sign says nothing about motorized vehicles. But I think motorized vehicles are not permitted in the parks by default.

Notice to Trail Users Sign, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

Well there are other things in Aurora that by default are not permitted. A pile of mulch or wood chips was placed on the parking lot near the Fleury Park. While watching Matthew having fun at the play-ball class Saturday morning I spotted this young boy climbing this pile of mulch.

I felt much better when I noticed that the whole action was supervised by the parent. This was quite an ironic site.

Parent Supervised Climb, Fleury Park, Aurora

Confederation Park Notice For All Users, Bold And Cold

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:49:48 +0000

During our visit to the Confederation Park last weekend behind the camel back climber equipment stood a new sign. It is not a warning sign or caution sign, just a notice sign. I read the sign, smiled and told my husband, ‘hey start climbing, you are user of the park and you are older than five.‘.

Confederation Park, Aurora

I read the sign few times and just couldn’t help to write this.

Notice To Camel Back Climber Users

Playground equipment users are children. Town of Aurora implies that anyone 5 years old or older can use the equipment. Fair enough for some where parents or caregivers have to attend children and climb with them. However, why not match the manufacturer’s recommended age 5-12 as per sticker that was also new to the camel back climber.

Camel Back Climber With The Notice

If the user is under 5 they may be mobile enough to climb the climber but they may not be smart enough yet to strategically maneuver around especially at the top or even bottom of the climber. Thus the recommended age 5 or older.

New little tikes Safety Label

If the user is over 12 years old they may not be that mobile on the climber because the body size to climber size is not proportional. They can think strategically how to maneuver around the climber, but body size may not allow them to move with greater flexibility. I know for the fact, we tried it. Thus the recommended age under 12.

New little tikes Safety Label

What does it take to think strategically and at the same time plan for the future. The solution to this problem is just a band-aid method. To go through all this trouble why not design generic sign that can be reused when necessary on other playgrounds. The sign is overkill and clearly to make a point – bold and cold (users and not children).

The climber itself now has little tikes manufacturer label stating the age range. It can be easily noticed.

Bottom Of The Camel Back Climber

If we continue to plaster our town with warning signs everywhere for every issue we encounter we are destroying the image of our town and calling for either dangerous place to live in or a community of dangerous people or no common sense people. Is this where we want to be in 2031?

Camel Back Climber, No Safety Stickers, No Notice, October 2010

This is five cents of my constructive criticism, take it or leave it.

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Signs

No Motorized Vehicles On The Boardwalk, By Default

Confederation Park Notice For All Users, Bold And Cold