""It's dangerous. I've been here every day," said Andy Smith, an organizer with the group Safer Streets Richmond Hill. "The majority of people crossing the street don't know that there are vehicles crossing, so they stay on the street." Smith, who walks Freedom Drive daily on his way home from work, has documented people still walking in the street while drivers zoom past them:"
"The winding 0.3-mile strip's bends create dangerous blind spots where motorists may seemingly come out of nowhere for people still walking in the street, as they've been allowed to do for the past five years. Parks officials put up little signage beyond some small notices at an adjacent forest path close to the northern end of the strip to warn locals of cars."
City Parks officials reopened Freedom Drive to cars for the first time since 2020, allowing vehicle traffic October through April. The 0.3-mile winding strip contains steep hills and blind bends that create dangerous blind spots for people walking in the roadway. Few signs warn park users about returning cars, and residents reported being unaware of the policy change. Local activists documented pedestrians continuing to walk in the street while drivers pass at speed. The southern end funnels vehicles onto a corner with a playground and is within blocks of two schools, increasing risk for children and families.
Read at Streetsblog
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