I realize that I'm a bit late to the game here…
The argument for a parking lot isn't about the amount of parking, it's about multi-user conflicts.
No, not riders vs hikers/walkers….it's visiting drivers vs local residents.
In all the year's I've been using Fromme (I'm a rider, trail runner, dog walker, whatever), I don't think I've ever had a problem finding parking, [HTML_REMOVED] I can count on one hand the number of times I have witnessed a conflict on the trail.
But, I see (almost) daily conflicts on the road. The number one issue seems to be visitors who unnescessarily leave their driver-side door (street side) wide open…even though they might be on the other side of the vehicle (unloading gear, waiting for a friend, etc….). I also see daily displays of gear strewn out on the road (again, in traffic's way), [HTML_REMOVED] a smattering of strip-teases (I'd especially like to thank the young lady with the pigtails [HTML_REMOVED] blue shorts between the Subaru [HTML_REMOVED] Toyota last weekend!), [HTML_REMOVED] music, etc…
I don't know how many times I've made the turn off of Mtn Hwy onto Coleman, [HTML_REMOVED] and had to hit the brakes…because an oncoming car had to move into my lane to avoid someone's open door, or gear on the road.
It's a residential neighbourhood. Not a mall. I imagine that the poor fellow/family who lives at the corner of Coleman [HTML_REMOVED] Mtn Hwy has overheard some pretty (un)interesting phone conversations over the years (I don't know what it is, but it seems that everytime I pass that area, there's someone next to their car, sitting on the grass, on their cel phone).
That said, the simple solution (though not necessarily the best solution) is a parking lot. Doors could be left open, gear could lay freely about, [HTML_REMOVED] best of all, it gives a common place for people to meet [HTML_REMOVED] socialize.
IMHO, the best place for a parking lot would be near Kilmer Park….I know it means an extra 1km of riding, but the climb up Kilmer, McNair is fairly civilized….[HTML_REMOVED] the end of the ride would almost certainly be all downhill.
As someone said earlier, there are many other options for shuttling if the thought of riding for 7 blocks seems tiresome.
regards,
- an old guy who used to ride from Lower Lonsdale to get to Fromme, but now resorts to a shameless drive.