By MADDY VITALE and DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Things are about to get a lot slower in Sea Isle City -- at least on one street.
City Council approved an ordinance on March 28 lowering the speed limit to a leisurely 15 mph on Park Road in response to complaints from neighbors about speeding.
The speed limit is currently 25 mph. The new speed limit of 15 mph will formally take effect on April 25, according to Sea Isle City Public Information Officer Katherine Custer.
Park Road is only about seven blocks long, stretching from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to 48th Street. But as a direct link to the JFK Boulevard entryway into Sea Isle, Park Road is often used as an artery for inbound and outbound traffic.
The road also passes through the historic Fish Alley neighborhood, an enclave of some of Sea Isle’s most popular waterfront restaurants. Park Road also serves as a route to the Sea Isle City Library at 48th Street and Central Avenue.
Moreover, Park Road will be the site of Sea Isle’s proposed $20 million community recreation center. The city is demolishing Sea Isle’s former public school at 4501 Park Road to make room for construction of the community center, which is expected to open in 2025.
An artist's rendering depicts the community recreation center that will be built where the former school was located on Park Road. (Courtesy of Sea Isle City)
During the March 28 City Council meeting, one resident, Regina Lewallen, said she is aware of speeding on Park Road and believes it is part of “aggressive driving” throughout the island.
“It is a problem everywhere,” she said of speeding.
Lewallen suggested to Council that the city should launch a public education campaign to urge people to slow down and tell them, essentially, "to relax, you’re in Sea Isle.”
Councilwoman Mary Tighe endorsed Lewallen’s suggestion for a public awareness campaign that could be based on the theme to “Slow down. Take a breath and enjoy Sea Isle while you’re here.”
Tighe said that speeding on Park Road was discussed during a meeting of Park Road residents and Mayor Leonard Desiderio during discussions about the demolition of the old school and the plans for construction of a new community center.
During that meeting, residents said that drivers “race down” Park Road, Tighe pointed out.
“They asked for the speed limit to be lowered and hence, this ordinance was brought forward by the administration,” Tighe said of Council's approval of the 15 mph speed limit on Park Road.
Tighe said Council should get together with Desiderio’s administration about the possibility of putting together a public awareness campaign focusing on traffic safety.
Desiderio also said he likes the idea of a safety campaign to let people know, “When they’re here to slow down and relax.”
“Slow down when you’re here and enjoy yourself and let everyone else enjoy (Sea Isle) as well,” Desiderio said.
