1. Proposed Ordinance to Amend the Town Code at Chapter 74 Regarding the Hours for the Lake Trail
ORDINANCE NO. 019-2024 An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, Amending the Town Code of Ordinances at Chapter 74, Parks and Recreation, Article VI - Recreational Area Closures, By Amending Sec. 74-283 To Change the Hours of Closure of Lake Trail; Providing for Severability; Providing for Repeal of Ordinances in Conflict; Providing for Codification; Providing an Effective Date.
Nicholas Caristo, Chief of Police
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
11 months ago
Received via email 6.3.24:
Dear Ted,
I agree with your sage, so far, singular, vote against prematurely closing Lake Trail at 10 PM. Your vote is correct and should become at least a hat trick.
I often bicycle on the Trail later than 10 PM, especially in the summer because the breezes are restoring, and the trail has lower, but still modest and steady foot traffic. In younger years I too often commuted home from my office at 125 Worth to the far North Ocean Blvd. by bicycle on the Trail after that hour.
I may be naïve, but I can’t see a crime spree being staved by advancing the closing time by one hour. The use is plainly enjoyed by a significant number of residents after 10. On June 21, 10 PM will be 12 minutes after astrological twilight. That’s too early.
In the many decades that I have ridden, skated, strolled or run the Trail at that hour, I have never seen nor encountered any suspicious or nefarious activity afoot. It’s mostly nearby residents walking their pets a few blocks.
We should not overreact to overrestrict the many blessings with which we are endowed living in Palm Beach. Lake Trail is among the rare thoroughfares anywhere: where one never sees, never encounters, never smells, never hears, a car. It high among our most treasured heirlooms.
Council should decline the notion to close Lake Trail to we residents too early, denying us one of the unique and prodigious pleasures of this enchanted Isle.
Sincerely,
John C. Dotterrer
John C. Dotterrer
Received via email 6.3.24:
Dear Ted,
I agree with your sage, so far, singular, vote against prematurely closing Lake Trail at 10 PM. Your vote is correct and should become at least a hat trick.
I often bicycle on the Trail later than 10 PM, especially in the summer because the breezes are restoring, and the trail has lower, but still modest and steady foot traffic. In younger years I too often commuted home from my office at 125 Worth to the far North Ocean Blvd. by bicycle on the Trail after that hour.
I may be naïve, but I can’t see a crime spree being staved by advancing the closing time by one hour. The use is plainly enjoyed by a significant number of residents after 10. On June 21, 10 PM will be 12 minutes after astrological twilight. That’s too early.
In the many decades that I have ridden, skated, strolled or run the Trail at that hour, I have never seen nor encountered any suspicious or nefarious activity afoot. It’s mostly nearby residents walking their pets a few blocks.
We should not overreact to overrestrict the many blessings with which we are endowed living in Palm Beach. Lake Trail is among the rare thoroughfares anywhere: where one never sees, never encounters, never smells, never hears, a car. It high among our most treasured heirlooms.
Council should decline the notion to close Lake Trail to we residents too early, denying us one of the unique and prodigious pleasures of this enchanted Isle.
Sincerely,
John C. Dotterrer
John C. Dotterrer