Parking on the sidewalk is, unfortunately, the way things seem to have always been done here in Medford. I am glad to see more people speaking up about this, because it is a real problem for pedestrians. As you said, being a pedestrian in Medford is hard, with the sidewalk parking just one of many issues. I appreciate the responsiveness to some of the complaints here on See Click Fix, and the willingness on the part of the officers (especially Officer Brooks) to go and talk to the owners of the vehicles. I do not think that is enough though, and there are so many people who park on the sidewalk that it is not feasible to have one-on-one talks with them all. I think it would be great if this issue could be addressed via automated phone call from Captain Clemente, as well as alerting people through other modes such as the local newspaper, Medford website, etc. A message letting people know that while this hasn't been enforced in the past, it will now, and then start ticketing or towing whenever an officer sees it, not just when someone complains. The DCR just did something similar about sidewalk parking on Elm St. Also, can Republic Parking do any ticketing on this or are they limited to meters? It is not right to prioritize parking convenience over the safety of pedestrians.

Will forward to our Traffic Division Thanks

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Sgt. Richard Carroll

Captain Clemente - Medford Police Department assigned this issue to Officer Brooks

I'm told the gray concrete area on the west side of Park Street is considered a parking area. It was built and designed for that purpose by the city. The sidewalk or walking area is the asphalt pathway on the inside of the fence. I remember this was done several years ago, why, I don't know. Maybe the Traffic Commission would have information on that. I went and looked at it today and I agree we could have a dangerous situation arise. I'll look into it a little further and see what changes can be made to make it safer. I'm thinking some sort of pedestrian barrier and/or signage. I'll leave this open for the time being and keep you updated.

Wow, I am horrified if that was designed to be a parking area. It has a normal curb and it looks like a wide sidewalk (which we should have by playgrounds), and designating it as parking encourages people to use other sidewalks as parking areas. I have had enough arguments with people in this neighborhood who claim that parking on the sidewalk is legal in Medford- this would just encourage that belief. Please update us neighbors here.

Actually, Jen, the curbing is not the same as the others. If you look closely it was set at an angle so not to cause damage to vehicle tires. I'm not suggesting the design is the best. What I would like to try to do is work with what we have and try to improve the safety of the area. I'll do my best and keep you in the loop.

I met with our former mayor and DPW about this sidewalk...they didn't design it to be a sidewalk, but someone (no one will say who) had the curbstone set at an angle. Had this actually been designed, the damage to the ten year old street from the cars climbing the sidewalk would not be as great. A storm drain actually collapsed into the sewer about five years ago from this.

Lack of signage leads to some people seeing it as a sidewalk parking on the street, some two wheels on and some four wheels on which makes for a difficult sight line.

The pathway inside the fence was a compromise from the city because people were in the street (other side has a car on the sidewalk too...give one sidewalk, they take them all). First it had no fence, but then the sidewalk parkers started parking on that as well, so still no pedestrian access...so they had to put up the fence...trapping pedestrians in the park the entire way...all that to avoid signage.

The reason given for sidewalk parking was that the street might be too narrow once the ADA compliant sidewalk was placed so they gave it to the cars (legal? Probably not...which is why I forced them to build the pathway.). Sidewalk should be narrowed (combine it with the path) and cars should go on the street. Place signs. Shouldn't have a parking platform that exempts them from snow emergencies and street cleaning (unless the city is going to sell permits for parking during those periods). Safety first...parking needs after...

Thanks, Officer Brooks, I wish you luck...this is a tangled mess that has gone on for a decade now...

If it's not supposed to be a sidewalk why didn't it just get paved

It was likely decided at the time it was installed that someone said " hey joe, leave the curb low 'cause this is when aunt sue and my cousin Vinny park and it's hard for them to park here with the curb so high!"

Any other answer is pure nonsense.
An engineer would Never design or implement this
Show me the print !

People just been parking there for years so it's ok....

Good morning all, I have an update for you. I submitted a proposal to the Traffic Commission that will be heard at the September meeting. Here are the suggestions: Placing bollards at the Fellsway end of Park St. as well as at the basketball court entrance to deny parking near corner and entrance, signage at those locations indicating the pedestrian walkway is inside the fence, painting a formal crosswalk at the basketball court entrance, reducing Park Street to a 20 mph zone from Fellsway to Salem and placing high visibility signage indicating school and public park. I can't promise all of those suggestions will be accepted but I'll try to make a strong argument. I'll let you know how this works out.

Thank you so much, Officer Brooks!

This is a terrible design. Traffic should change it.

Love that people are parked facing both directions. Never seen so much wrong way street parking in my life as in Medford. (Except in Italy)

This city doesnt seem to care about this kinda stuff to much....They care way more about the KIOS machines cuz thats how they rake in the $$...Medford is all over you and your car when you dont put in enough quarters in those machines when your running and errand "Spending $$ in the local stores" But if you see an Abandoned vehicle with No license plates sitting on your street for Months OR another one parked In a bus stop blocking the view of oncoming traffic aswell...That i guess is OK I know you guys are kinda busy but some of the stuff we see and Nothing gets done about it is Frustrating!

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