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Highlands Today

Volunteers Sought To Clean Up Lake Placid Alleys

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Lynn Connolly explains to her neighbor Bobby Griffin, who holds onto his bull dog, Duke, in his backyard, plans to clear alley ways around their neighborhood on Tuesday in Lake Placid. Griffin said he thinks it is a good idea for the beautification of the city and to help with criminal activity.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: May 28, 2008

LAKE PLACID — The alleys in town might not be major thoroughfares like the Panama Canal, I-75 or Pennsylvania Avenue, but a move is on to clear these publicly owned roadways.

Resident Lynn Connolly counted 12 east-west and five north-south alleys located in backyards, or behind businesses, south of Interlake Boulevard, in the oldest residential part of the town. She presented the idea at the most recent town council meeting.

Only Edgemon Alley is named. Most are grass covered. Many are 19.5-foot wide, the same width as most town streets.

Several alleys are blocked by fences constructed by residents seeking to extend their backyards into the town-owned land. Litter is common and overgrown vegetation hampers easy movement.

Connolly hopes to enlist volunteers such as the local Rotary, Boy Scouts, students on summer break from school and property owners to clear these publicly owned alleyways.

Mayor Tom Katsanis noted on Wednesday that the town's taxpayers would likely not pay for the work or upkeep, if volunteers do the work.

Councilman Steve Bastardi agreed with the mayor that cleared alleyways are an underutilized resource that would become an asset.

"There are those who will love it and those who will not," said Bastardi. "But, it's a good idea to clean them up and make functional."

These pathways could become bike paths, a safer place to store a vehicle during a hurricane or a place for the community to meet during a block party.

Existing alleys could also become a substitute for sidewalks. Children could safely walk to and from school.

Code enforcement officers could inspect a residence without stepping foot on private property.
Vegetation in some alleys reach to a height where criminals might hide from police.

An alley runs behind Bobby Griffin's home. Griffin said he'd pitch in to clear the public space, to help keep Lake Placid beautiful and possibly cut criminal activity.

Connolly pointed to the social possibilities.

"Opening it up in a friendly way to get to know your neighbors. Like in the olden days, chatting over the back fence.

"Everybody's a winner. It's a community-involvement activity. If it's upbeat and positive, people will want to do it."

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