First published in the Aug. 11 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
We have lived in La Cañada Flintridge for 43 years. I live within one block of the 2 Freeway on/off ramp.
I wish to emphasize how impacted this intersection is: A very busy Fire Station #19, a neighborhood, a preschool, with parents dropping off and picking up, a medical building and, of course, the 2 Freeway on/off ramp. This intersection has a long history of near misses and accidents involving cars, pedestrians and cyclists.
In fact, just the other day as I crossed the on/off ramp crosswalk, a driver turning onto the freeway slammed on his brakes within 8 feet of hitting me. We were both shocked. I could see that the driver had been alert and looking around, but was distracted by the overall commotion of this busy intersection. It is commonplace for drivers to pass through this intersection at high speeds and sometimes through red lights.
To the point: I strongly oppose an additional sport facility to reside at Mayors’ Discovery Park. My opposition is not pickleball per se. It is about safety and overall well-being.
The entrance to the park is about 30 yards west of the freeway ramps where cars merge to enter or exit the freeway. Pickleball games often last 15 minutes to one hour so there would be overlapping arrival and exit to the parking lot all day onto an already overloaded intersection, especially during business hours.
This would add a significant increase in traffic with potential safety risks to children and adult walkers, cyclists and drivers. To think of it, I do not see how a large number of pickleball players, local and visitors, will be able to enter and exit this driveway easily.
Come see for yourself the dynamics of this intersection. I make this plea for safety first now and for years to come in La Cañada Flintridge, my home.
Joanne Markley
La Cañada Flintridge
