Almost 4,000 elementary school students visit Historic Bethabara Park every year. These students, along with staff, volunteers, and park visitors are endangered by traffic on the one-lane road that splits Historic Bethabara Park. Speeding and distracted drivers consistently ignore the stop sign and endanger pedestrians crossing the road. A DOT traffic study confirmed that 85% of drivers in the park travel at speeds that exceed the speed limit by 18 mph.
To add to the problem, vibrations from the road are crumbling the foundation of the historic Log House and deteriorating the exterior stucco of the historic church. We refuse to wait for tragedy to strike before the decision is made to change this dangerous traffic pattern. If you have ever attended a special event at the park when the road is closed--Apple Festival, the Highland games, or the Summer Nights Concert Series--you know how peaceful and safe the park can be. Let's make that a reality for visitors year round.
