Hudson/Park

On an almost daily basis, there are 5-10 particular motorbikes and ATVs speeding on Lark St., at deafening levels, popping wheelies, and often wearing masks. One of the ATV drivers stands on the vehicle as he rides it vertical down the street, unable to see pedestrians, bicyclists, etc. The Mayor's office has stated there are increased patrols in this area as well as plain clothed officers, but there are no signs of either when it comes to this ongoing safety, noise and quality of life issue. It's relatively common knowledge that, almost daily in nice weather, some of the worst noise and safety offenders race down Lark (From the Madison end) popping wheelies down the street toward Central where they are also sometimes seen causing issues, and they have been spotted coming from a side street off Delaware Ave., near Stewarts across from the former Friendly's building (check traffic cameras on Delaware Ave. for Sunday May, 26th between 6:10 PM and 6:45 PM), and they are part of the crew that rides on the sidewalks. One or more of them often has a woman on the back of their vehicle.

Check the cameras at the intersection of Madison and Lark and all the way down Lark Street (going south to north toward the Armory) for Monday, May 27th. They were directly outside Stacks and Rain at 5:26 PM. popping wheelies as always. Between 5:00-5:05 PM, on May 27th, another of the worst offenders (riding a blue motorbike and wearing a mask from his nose down) rode past the same spot but going north to south towards Madison. And, at 5:42 PM, four more went past also going north to south. Instances like this are reported but the riders are too fast to be caught if APD isn't present when the violations occur. The department has been provided enough information to find the offenders on traffic camera footage and to be waiting for them when they speed by. When it's not raining, try placing a patrol car out of site along the North wall of Rain restaurant (in the parking lot) and typically at least some of the riders will go by. Additional police vehicles could block their way at the end of Lark, toward the armory. Surely APD can out smart and out maneuver these guys with just a little planning and effort.

Once again our streets are being closed off and parking made unavailable to residents in the Center Square area for another race/event. Most of us support many charities and a good number of us run in events such as this, but respectfully ask that they be spread out over the city and shared by other neighborhoods.

We pay very high taxes here, pay additionally for residential parking and often still can't park within any reasonable distance to our homes. People are trying to carry groceries, babies, etc. and elderly residents are trying to simply get to their homes without walking many blocks.

It's great to have some events here, but it's enough with Tulip Fest, Lark Fest, Pride, Park Playhouse, Santa Speedo, the holiday lights in the park which disrupt parking from Halloween through the New Year, 4th of July Fireworks, etc. It's not too much to ask that the myriad races be shared by other communities including those with garages and off-street parking. We have nowhere to park each time we are displaced for another race and are disproportionately bearing the burden, including having to park in unsafe areas and walk for blocks at night when parking is taken off-line for events.

People who don't live here may not understand and may think we're being unreasonable, but below are all the areas disrupted for just one of the many events. If any other neighborhood in the city, was subjected to what we are, many times each year, residents would have put a stop to it long ago. The response is often, "If you don't like it move." But the reason this area holds on is, in part, because residents care. We get involved, participate in park and neighborhood clean ups and beautification, sweep and shovel the walks, pick up trash and dog poop, plant flowers, etc. It's fair to spread the impact of all these events.

Highlight the warehouse district. Let people get to know Pine Hills, Helderberg or Buckingham Pond neighborhoods. Run along our beautiful river, etc. Every event does not have to be held in the most densely populated area of the city and unnecessarily displace hundreds of vehicles over and over throughout the year. The events are not the issue. Good causes are a great thing, but they can occur in more than one location in the city.

Please neighborhood Presidents, and city officials, advocate for us and for other areas to share the hosting. Thank you.

One of the MANY similar announcements we receive every year:

Road Closures and Parking Restrictions for Last Run Winter 5K - Saturday December 8, 2018

Road Closures:

The following Roadway will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 10AM-7PM:

• State Street between South Swan Street and Eagle Street

The following Roadways will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 3PM-7PM:

• Washington Avenue from Dove Street to Eagle Street
• State Street between Lodge Street and Eagle Street
• Eagle Street between State Street and Pine Street
• South Swan Street northbound Madison Avenue to Chestnut Street (upper Roadway)
• Market Street ramp to Eagle Street from Grand Street

The following roadways will be closed on December 8, 2018 from 4:00PM to 5:45PM:

• State Street between Robin Street and South Swan Street
• Willett Street between State Street and Madison Avenue
• Washington Park, All Park Roadways – Including Henry Johnson Boulevard
• South Swan Street northbound Madison Avenue to Washington Avenue (Upper and lower roadways)
• Dove Street southbound at Spring St to State Street
• Lark Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Avenue
**Lark St will remain open northbound only between Chestnut Street and Lancaster Street for Chestnut Street residents only
• Henry Johnson Boulevard between State Street and Madison Avenue
• Hamilton Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
• Jay Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
• Lancaster Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street
• Chestnut Street between Dove Street and South Swan Street

Parking Restrictions:

The following Roadways will have Parking Prohibited on December 8, 2018 from 10AM to 7PM:

• State Street, both sides, from South Swan Street to Eagle Street

The following Roadways will have Parking Prohibited on December 8, 2018 from Noon to 7PM:

• State Street, both sides, from Robin Street east 6 spaces on each side
• Washington Avenue from Swan Street to Eagle Street, both sides restricted
• Willett Street, both sides, from Hudson Avenue north 4 spaces on each side
• Washington Park Road, both sides (Hudson Avenue), from Willett Street west to Henry Johnson
• N. Hawk Street both sides from Elk Street to Washington Avenue
• Eagle Street both sides from State Street to Elk Street
• Park Street, both sides from Lancaster Street to State Street
• Elk Street, both sides from Eagle Street west 5 spaces on each side
• Lodge Street, west side from Pine Street to State Street
• State Street , both sides from Eagle Street to Lodge Street

People are being run out of the park by holiday lights organizers. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO WALK IN A PUBLIC PARK. This is how many of us travel to get from home to work and back.

Area restaurants and businesses are desperate to survive in pandemic times and the holidays are our best hope but the traffic chaos caused by Holiday Lights is turning away customers! Even curbside pick up is impacted because no one wants to be stuck in the traffic on Madison Avenue.

Then the police have the audacity to send out a Nixle notice telling people to avoid this area or take another route due to the lights! Retail and restaurants NEED HOLIDAY WEEKEND business! What is wrong with the city?!

All told, there are several thousand residents being negatively impacted by this event due to the traffic, blocked roadways, blocked parking spaces that WE PAY FOR, the exhaust from idling cars, the headlights and police lights coming in through our windows all night, the honking by furious drivers, the buses being delayed, emergency vehicles not able to get through the park, down Madison or down Willett, and discouraging any traffic to the area other than those attending the light display. Get this event out of here for future years. An urban park in a residential area is not an appropriate location and never was.

This is also tearing up our park annually with the large trucks that come in and cause permanent damage to trees and tear deep troughs in the ground that are never fixed. This is an historic park and critical resource that needs protecting.

A coalition of city residents, organized this campaign to "illuminate and counteract the human suffering exacerbated by Capital Holiday Lights in the Park, revealing the dissonance between our Mayor’s stated priorities and the city’s fiscal choices." In response, they call the campaign Human Rights in the Park. https://www.gofundme.com/f/HumanRightsInThePark

Please Albany city officials, it's time to move this event going forward. Do the right thing.