Once each year we reach out to all residents of Barron Park through this winter edition of our newsletter. We like to make sure everyone feels part of our unique community and hope that more of you will become actively involved in the Barron Park Association through one of our committees or by regular communication to our Board. This year we had a record number of members and many took advantage of our internet list to add their comments. Barron Park is a special place. Many of us purchased our homes here because of its special characteristics. Some were drawn here by what is called our rural character, others by our location, and some because of our involvement with civic issues that help shape the neighborhood. Whatever the reason, we members of the Board of the Barron Park Association hope that our efforts represent the majority opinion of community members whether or not that majority are members of the association.
One thing is always certain, changes in our community are inevitable. Whether it is the loss of the train engine at Briones Park or the flood control project, forces outside the Barron Park area continually cause us to reexamine our interests against those of the greater community. Walking the fine line between keeping things exactly the same and allowing for improvement based on these changes is what the Board is faced with at every meeting. As much as all of us are comfortable with the current character of this community, often there are overriding interests which prevail. Safety is of utmost concern, but this must be blended with the quality of life and not taken to an extreme. During its many active years, our Board has tried to understand the underlying reasons behind the need for improvement and to devise a solution that will retain as much of the original Barron Park character as possible.
The creek bypass project is an example of how we have tried to satisfy the needs of Barron Park residents for freedom from periodic floods that damaged their homes and property, yet still retain one of Barron Park's most important assets, its natural creeks. Another example is the need to provide adequate storm drainage to prevent frequent local flooding, and street maintenance needs in the Barron Park area. Barron Park has long resisted that standard treatment used in other parts of Palo Alto curbs and gutters with sidewalks. We have a diverse neighborhood that includes some areas with sidewalks and some without. To meet the need for drainage and to reduce the long-term cost of road maintenance, we adopted street design guidelines which were recently used on the section of Los Robles from El Camino Real to La Donna. Bike lanes were needed to improve the safety for our children while going to JLS, Hoover, Briones, and Gunn. The edge of the street is defined by a gutter but without a curb to give a more rural look. Many in the neighborhood have given positive comments to this treatment, while a few have registered a dislike to this approach.
You can be sure that as with other issues in the Barron Park area, we will listen to all comments and continue to try and represent the majority opinion. We will assess your opinions through surveys, and hear comments sent to us by letters, E-mail, voice mail, or phone calls. What we know for sure is that changes will continue to occur. In the last 10 years, for example, there was a 40% increase in the traffic count on Los Robles. People in our neighborhood are very concerned about this increase and traffic problems all over Palo Alto. Every change such as this, results in a need for improvements which some will like and some will not like. The BPA Board continues to try and address such changes with a Barron Park flavor in order to retain what makes our community special.
We encourage all of you to become involved and join the Barron Park Association if you have not in the past. Membership will allow you to receive four newsletters each year instead of just one. You will be kept up to date on our activities. Also, please send us E-mail and browse our Web home page or, simply send us a note expressing your views. We always try to incorporate your thoughts into the decisions we make.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that the events we plan during the year always require the help of as many in the community as possible. The more volunteers we have, the easier it is on others and the more events we can have. When you hear about an event such as the May Fete or Winter Fest, please call and let us know you would like to help. This is a great way to start getting in touch with your neighbors and to meet new friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful year and I hope to meet you at one of next year's Barron Park Association events.
On a separate note, I would like to address an issue of particular interest to me. I am concerned about the loss of respect for traffic laws in Palo Alto. The number of people running stop signs, stop lights, and speeding is alarming. To control this the council plans to add new expensive systems to monitor this problem and force drivers to comply. New devices will be added to take pictures of drivers that run stop lights, and to highlight posted speed limit signs. It seems a shame that we must resort to these expensive solutions to teach drivers to do what is legal and correct. It would be much easier, and less expensive, if drivers would find patience and drive according to the laws that are in place. This would also improve our quality of life and the safety of our children. Please be aware of your speed, and respect those that walk and ride their bikes. A quotation from City Councilman Dick Rosenbaum: "The best way to control speeding in Palo Alto would be for everyone to drive at 25mph. You might make a few people angry at you but more and more people will drive slower if you do."