Susan Durisek’s blog

Yard Care Pros … Parking No-Nos   

The grass is getting greener, and the lawncare crews are back on the road.  It’s hard to miss the classic truck and trailer set-up when the Mow, Sow, Blow & Go Pros pull into your neighborhood.  Sure, there is a lot to appreciate about the services they provide in maintaining a tidy lawn and landscape look.  But more and more often, it seems that these long-length rigs take advantage of any parking spot - legal or not - and end up blocking the roadway and driveway access, with the initial justification  ”We’re just here for a few minutes” ready for objectors, along with a follow-up  ”There’s really not another close space” retort.   When the rigs are parked at street corners, it’s just plain dangerous trying to get through the one open lane while keeping an eye out for workers wearing ear-phones and mowers veering into the street.  Along with the spring robins and first blooming bleeding-hearts, just today, I saw the first offender of the season without leaving my home.  There’s a good reason for parking only on one side of the road on narrow city lanes, because when cars are parked on both curbs, school buses and emergency vehicles can’t get through.  LFUCG’s LexPark says the lawn care folks have to follow the rules, just like anyone else; they don’t have special priveledges.  Signs were clearly posted, and there was plenty of space on the side of the street where parking is allowed.  So come on, lawn care pros … turn over a new leaf, and get more responsible in sharing the road this year.  Sow some courtesy along with that grass seed, and who knows, perhaps you’ll pick up a few more customers instead of alienating the neighborhood. 

 Have you noticed the same phenomenon happening in your area?  Share a comment to sound off, and send photos.  Are you a lawn-care pro who cares?  Send in your stories, too.