I've called Union Twp. about this situation several years in a row. I've been told that there really isn't anything they can do about it. This has been one of the most dangerous ongoing roadway situations that I have ever witnessed. I have actually prayed many times for my newer-driver children that they would remember to be extra careful through there. Many of the tubers walking on the roadway are intoxicated and especially when they are in groups they really don't seem to care that they are completely in the way of traffic. It does seem to be slightly improved this year as more people are walking on the wooded pathway parallel to the road. But all it takes is one careless moment either by a driver or a tuber for a huge tragedy to happen. There has to be better management by the tubing business of where their customers are are parking or walking, doesn't there? Who is responsible for this? The business or public safety officials or transportation authorities? I hope this situation is permanently fixed and soon.

There are many other ways into Mt. Pleasant. At the most you would drive 2 miles out of your way. The Chippewa River is a Tourist Attraction, it brings money to the area. Have a little patience, you are probably mad because its not safe for you to do 70mph through that 100ft section of road that is affected by the river patrons. Whats wrong with stopping for a minute???

Actually schmee, I posted the original issue and I find your comment to be heavy on assumptions and not much on common sense. I come to Mt. Pleasant to visit family every month who live in that area. I know the speed limits in the area and it is nowhere near 70 mph. For you to say that just because someone wants to see the safety of the people that use that road improved is rediculous. Yes, I could go another way, but it is a public road. That means residents, their guests and yes even tourists should be able to "drive" on Lincoln and not worry about getting to work, home or even to sight see. I can honestly say that I am not mad at the people, more like I am very worried for their safety and the safety of the other drivers. Not only do my family members live near there, but I have tubed and canoed down the Chip myself with friends and family multiple times, so I have helped that tourism and enjoy it. I go to a desgnated parking area for the business I rent my tube or canoe from or I go to the many parks that parking is available at. Do you live on that stretch of road? Does it affect your daily life? Because unless you do, you are not going to understand. A person I know that lives right next to that business has also had to deal with the trash left on her property, people using her trash recepticles that she pays for to throw away their trash when her bins are left by the road for the city to pick it up.

Other residents in that area also aren't happy with the impedment of traffic, by people parking in the clearly marked "no parking, no standing, no stopping" zone. Then there are the people drinking and walking in the middle of the road and stopping traffic. It has nothing to do with the tourism aspect or patience, it has everything to do with the safety of those people and the safety of the drivers who have to drive that way to go about their business or daily lives. I am sure if the situation was happening next door to you and it was also going to affect your commute between work and home you would want it fixed as well. Residents near Lincoln should not have to drive an extra two miles to go around that area when there is a "public" road there for them to use. They pay taxes, they should be able to use what their taxes pay for. All it will take is one person to either step in front of a car or another car to swerve out of the way to cause a major accident and potentially hurt more than one person. It's common sense, not anger that is driving the issue. Look at the comments above from other people that would like to see it fixed. It looks like they are residents too.

schmee, I posted the original issue and I found your comment to be big on assumptions and small on common sense. Firstly, I have family that live near that stretch of Lincoln so my travel through there is actually needed. I also know residents that live nextdoor to the business that is in this particular stretch of Lincoln. This has nothing to do with being angry or worried about stopping for a minute. I know what the speed limit is and I do drive it. I have kids, I value their lives and my own. The problem that you apparently are not seeing is the fact that it does not just affect commuters. It affects residents, tourists and guests that are visiting the area. Read the above comment by the resident above, she is very concerned. My family is concerned along with many other residents in that area and friends of ours. Do you live on that stretch of road? Do you have to commute from work or home through there? Do you have to live with the trash that is thrown on your property or stuffed into your trash bins that you paid the city for? How would you feel if you had intoxicated tubers/canoers walking in the middle of your street and not letting traffic by? How about seeing them park on the road where it is clearly marked with signs "no parking, no standing, no stopping?" They are breaking traffic rules by parking/stopping/standing there. Put yourself in others shoes for a second instead of making rediculous assumptions. I am a tourist and ex-resident, I have tubed and canoed down the Chip with family and friends many times so I am a part of that money that is brought into the area. I use the parking of the business I rent my tube/canoes from, or one of the lovely parks in the area that has great parking for things such as this. Even I can see the need of safety there! I am very worried about the safety of those tubers/canoers and even the drivers that are on the road there. During peak times it is a nightmare and Lincoln has gotten busier traffic wise! Yes, people could go around and drive 2 extra miles to get where they need to be, but Lincoln is a public road and the residents pay taxes and should be able to use it without worrying about safety! My family does! The other residents I know do! As a tourist I spend quite a bit of money when I visit family, camp and other things in the area. If there is a direct route to my family I am going to take it if I want to. I'll wait for those people because I am not angry at them, I worry for them!

Sorry about the double comment, For some reason the page wasn't taking it. Thought my previous reply was lost to the internet jungle so I had reposted!

I drive though there 5 days a week. Why are the people parking on the road? Shouldn't the business have parking? (maybe they do, I don't know, I've never patronized this business). schmee yes there are other ways into Mt. Pleasant but why should I drive out of my way so that people can park illegally? Also, no I do not drive 70 MPH, I do the speed limit. I also don't understand why Union Township cannot do anything about this, the police can hand out tickets, for illegal parking, littering and probably other offences.

It starts again. We have another tubing season and another season of trying to avoid people unloading their canoes or tubes. How is it legal to park on the side of the road? There are signs but people park before or after the signs. I thought that the shoulder of the road was to be used when you have car trouble, not so you could go tubing! Maybe Mt. Pleasant should make a parking lot to be used for these people, before someone gets hurt or killed.