Mark

Streets leading to this intersection need a sign warning that Orange Street in the park is closed to motor vehicles.

I'm delighted by the closure of the park roads during the pandemic and would love to see this become permanent. But as someone who lives on this corner, I am witness to several incidents a day in which a driver tries to turn onto Orange going into the park and is surprised by the barriers and the "road closed" sign. Often there are drivers behind who honk, shout profanities, and speed around the car that is trying to get back into the roadway. This happens most often with drivers coming west on Mitchell Drive.

I suggest that signs be placed on Mitchell and Cold Spring that read something like "NO RIGHT TURN AHEAD—ROAD CLOSED" (or left turn, as the case may be).

Less important, but still worth mentioning: I've seen bicyclists encounter the "ROAD CLOSED" sign in the middle of Orange and then ask "Can I go in there?" So maybe a sign that reads "ROAD CLOSED TO MOTOR VEHICLES" would be an improvement.

East Rock Park Road is a beautiful lane through and alongside the park. It would be perfect for walking, jogging, and biking if it weren't for the fact that people in cars barrel down it at unsafe speeds seeking a shortcut to Whitney Avenue. They often drive right out into Whitney without stopping, heedless of pedestrians on the sidewalk at Whitney.

People also frequently use the road for unsightly and unhealthy illegal dumping.

Since there is no destination on this stretch of road—no houses or other buildings or even the park are currently accessible from any point between East Rock Road and Whitney—it seems that from a vehicular standpoint, its only purpose is to shave a few seconds off a trip north on Whitney Avenue. It seems to me that with little consequence to the traffic system, this road could be closed to auto traffic by installing bollards or the like, leaving it to the enjoyment of pedestrians, runners, and cyclists.