Chemically treated sign = run over

[americanlawn]

Here is a pic of my front lawn today. Less than 24 hours ago, I did a weed & feed treatment. Both lawn flags were run over today by dozens of vehicles driven by people who were attending a local fire dept event across the street. Up to six vehicles at a time were parked on my front lawn (without permission). It is also a "No Parking Zone". (that's my Z71 Avalanche in the foreground in case you wondered). I would glady have allowed people to park on my "concrete" parking -- especially cuz we had an inch of rain overnight.

Keep in mind that I have complained for over three years regarding cars/trucks/vans/ and SUV's driving on my lawn............and the Polk County Sheriff department has NEVER enforced the 'no parking' law here, even though it's "posted".?????

Any comments? Any answers?

[ampeg76]

i'd say they have the freedom to be a a$$hole:)

lots of people with no respect whatsoever

[grandview (2006)]

It's your fault that you didn't put enough parking on the side of the road for them!:laugh:

People park on my lawn when the neighbor has a party never really thought about it.

[bif]

What I've done is to put perimeter posts (with reflective tops) up along the front (roadside) edge of my lawn. I've spaced them close enough that a car can't get on the lawn. Additionally, I've also driven rebar (about 30") into the ground, leaving about 16" above ground, the rebar is spaced in between the perimeter markers. The markers are available at home depot or lowes for less than $2 each. I've never had a problem since.

fyi...some folks say that the rebar is a liability issue.

good luck,

Steve

[DiyDave]

whether you want to fix ruts/damage, or trim around posts or obstacles. I live on a country road, just after it narrows down from a 4 lane to a 2 lane. Idiots from all over the country come into my narrow driveway, just so they can turn around, cause they're lost. I put about 10 big ugly sandstone rocks on 1 side, and some concrete lintles (4 x 6's) on the other side. Then they ran over the paperbox on a metal fencepost. After we put it back up again, I made a tank trap style ornament out of used lawnmower blades, and chained it to the paperbox. I'm hoping to find an oil pan attached to it sometime in the future!:clapping: :clapping:

[d&rlawncare]

if they were parked on my front lawn I would have turned the sprinklers on, blocked them all in with my vehicles and went for a long walk. Either that or a $50 park here sign out front. With the bottom saying...You Park....You pay

[cantoo]

I would be careful of complaining for the fire department events. You might have a fire someday and they would get "lost" going to your house. This is likey a yearly event for them so I would just talk to the Chief before the event and just put posts up for that day so they have to park on the pavement.
PS you might want to remind your insurance company how close you live to the fire hall. I have a customer would gets a discount on his rate because the fire hydrant is at the corner of his property and it makes for a quicker response time. I had never heard of it until he asked to borrow my measuring wheel to measure it.

[Frank Fescue]

I would be careful of complaining for the fire department events. You might have a fire someday and they would get "lost" going to your house. This is likey a yearly event for them so I would just talk to the Chief before the event and just put posts up for that day so they have to park on the pavement.
PS you might want to remind your insurance company how close you live to the fire hall. I have a customer would gets a discount on his rate because the fire hydrant is at the corner of his property and it makes for a quicker response time. I had never heard of it until he asked to borrow my measuring wheel to measure it.

be tough for them to get "lost" when they're across the street.

[americanlawn]

Thanks VERY much all ---- I told the wife I was getting my paintball gun out, but she warned me not too...so I didn't. This was the annual "Ice Cream Social" -- they have several others, like pancake breakfasts, etc. After an inch of rain, I now see ruts and litter, and it does not make me happy.

What I don't get is "parking is prohibited" on both sides of my street for several blocks.....so why no enforcement??? Like I mentioned, I have called the County Sheriff Dept to enforce the ordinance 3 years in a row! (I gave up this year). Polk County Sheriiff's Dept is responsible for my street cuz I live outside of Des Moines city limits (Des Moines P.D.) and 1/2 block away from a State Highway (State Patrol).

Now I'm thinking (rare) but maybe I will not mow or treat this frontage of my beautiful two-acre lawn from now on. I did my part in the past, cuz my lawn looks great compared to all my neighbors' lawns. And NO MORE "donations" to my county 'share-if's?' department as well.

Please give more feedback if you have a chance. Thanks very much, cuz "driving on my lawn" is a pet peave of mine (and probably yours too). Again, thanks for the input (humor is always welcome too)

[indyturf]

I cant believe people are so rude and inconsiderate some time:dizzy:
Around here people pay big bucks to park in peoples front yard's during the Indy 500 or Brickyard. IMO they probably do more damage to the lawn than the few hundred $$ they made race weekend!
I would rope off the area and have your own open house the same days as these events are scheduled! it might be a good marketing idea with all the traffic.

[americanlawn]

I cant believe people are so rude and inconsiderate some time:dizzy:
Around here people pay big bucks to park in peoples front yard's during the Indy 500 or Brickyard. IMO they probably do more damage to the lawn than the few hundred $$ they made race weekend!
I would rope off the area and have your own open house the same days as these events are scheduled! it might be a good marketing idea with all the traffic.

Great innovative idea Indy (btw, the Chevy Avalnche in the pic was purchased this spring in Kokomo, IN). I just called my county street dept. cuz the sheriff's dept sure as h3ll ain't no help. They said they would get back to me tomorrow. Now I'm trying to decide how big of sign I will install in my front lawn regarding why "I ain't mantaining this (county footage) anymore". I KNOW this will get results sooner or later -- probably later.

More to come of this, I'm sure. Take care Indy.:waving:

[Supper Grassy]

Great innovative idea Indy (btw, the Chevy Avalnche in the pic was purchased this spring in Kokomo, IN). I just called my county street dept. cuz the sheriff's dept sure as h3ll ain't no help. They said they would get back to me tomorrow. Now I'm trying to decide how big of sign I will install in my front lawn regarding why "I ain't mantaining this (county footage) anymore". I KNOW this will get results sooner or later -- probably later.

More to come of this, I'm sure. Take care Indy.:waving:

Sign size, How about a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood

[americanlawn]

Thanks Supper , size sounds about right. I'll wait 'til the end of this week to see IF I hear back from any local govenment, but I'm not holding my breathe.

Next door neighbor (commercially-zoned, and has an auto repair business) posted a 4x8 sign saying "Nate is a thief, and he does not pay his bills". This sign remained up for about three months, but was taken down shortly after he was arrested for running a meth lab. He is now awaiting prison. Go figure.

[Supper Grassy]

If that does not get a response, go get some of the black construction fence (seen here http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=196315)
Or go get the orange femce and line the from of the property at the street

[mattfromNY]

Next time you have an event parked on your lawn, maybe thats the time to mow the 6" tall grass with the chute pointed toward the road! (After the cars are parked, of course)
You could always mud up the shoulder really good, soak it REALLY good, but leave the grass, so when they park they'll sink right in. Maybe then they'll think twice when they cant get out.

[Supper Grassy]

Next time you have an event parked on your lawn, maybe thats the time to mow the 6" tall grass with the chute pointed toward the road! (After the cars are parked, of course)
You could always mud up the shoulder really good, soak it REALLY good, but leave the grass, so when they park they'll sink right in. Maybe then they'll think twice when they cant get out.

Good idea, soak that section the night before,
Have any towing buddies? get them with there truck at your house
When they cant get out your buddies goes over and tow's them
have a sign on the lawn " If you DAMAGE My Lawn YOU WILL PAY FOR REPAIRS"

[THEGOLDPRO]

my buddy was having a problem similer to this, he lives right next to a church and has onstreet parking, and the church only has a lot big enough for like 8 cars, so needless to say these people flood the streets and park in front of all the houses taking up all the spots, mostely just his because he's right across the street.

worst part of it is there is plenty of parking up the toher side of the road as no houses are there, but they are lazy and choose to park right in front of his house because they dont wanna walk.

so needless to say this is an ongoing issue, he is always asking the pastor to make announcements, and the such, but nothing ever comes of it. so one night this lady parked in front of the house, so we blocked her in with my plow truck and his truck, with inches on both sides, and went inside and closed the door. about 10pm we hear a righ on the door, lol so we go out ask can we help you, shes like yeah your blocking my car i have been blocked for like 2 hours, my buddy was like oh im sorry am i inconviencing you?? she just gave this puzzled look and then just SNAPPED, lol started swearing, and freaking out, lol so we went back inside, then the pastor came over and pleded with us to let her out, lol all in all their has def been less parking in front of his house.

[RigglePLC]

You need a couple aggressive dogs.

[sildoc]

Place a sign that says if parked here for more than 1 minute it will be towed at owners expense. Most towing companies will supply these if you use them to tow.

[americanlawn]

Very very fine advice -- thanks! The Polk County weed commissioner called me today in response to my complaint. He was empathetic, and he told me that he is going to the "higher ups", and he would get back to me. We'll see.

Thanks again to all (more feedback/ideas are certainly welcome too).

[NewHorizon's Land]

Frank Fescue: Us "fir fiters aint to brite now it real eazy to get loss". LOL My fire dept is battling an issue with the grocery store next to us. They didnt ask if they could use our parking lot for storage of roof trusses while they replace thier roof for like 2 - 3 MONTHS. We have thought about taking a chain saw and cut off what is on our parking lot or just set them on fire. LOL.

I cant believe how inconsidered people are. I like the towing if parked there over one minute.

Justin

[lawnspecialties]

Two words:

Roofing nails

[Supper Grassy]

Two words:

Roofing nails

Good one,
carpet tack strips

[MarcSmith]

Two words:

Roofing nails

yeah but you'll pay for it yourself since you'll never get em all up, and they will find your own tires...

[Supper Grassy]

yeah but you'll pay for it yourself since you'll never get em all up, and they will find your own tires...

not really, go get a magnet wand from the hardware store and go over that section of lawn

[MarcSmith]

not really, go get a magnet wand from the hardware store and go over that section of lawn
you'll never get em all....I had a roofing company do my florida house and I explained to them that I want all the nails up they swore up and down they'd get em all with their magnets.

They paid for quite a few plugs and down time for me while the tires inthe mower were getting repaired.


Also American, as it was mentioned in your other post about the exact same thing....http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=196255

you don't own to the road..., the ditch area is a right of way and is county property. in most places

Also since you live right across form the FD you seem to be acutely aware of all their events, so it should be rather easy to not treat right before an event or to rope off part of your lawn...

[GreenT]

Maybe I missed it but, I didn't see anywhere that you have made an effort to resolve this with the FD.

You should talk to the chief at the firehouse and, in a friendly manner, try to come to a resolution.

I don't really see a reason for them not wanting to help you with your problem unless you have a previous history with them (other issues?). Bottom line is you don't want a bad relationship with them since you're such close neighborgs.

:waving:

[weeble67]

Law Enforcement will often times look the other way on events such as this. Normally this is a good thing, in your case it's not. Upon receiving your complaint they should have stopped this from going on. I don't know the law's in your area. But in Ohio they are parking on private property. So you have the right to call a tow truck and have it towed at the expense of the owner. You might want to check the laws there though.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

JUST GET SOME ROCKS thats what i did and it solved the problem oh and if u can get them big enough that when they open there door it hits them :)

[americanlawn]

you'll never get em all....I had a roofing company do my florida house and I explained to them that I want all the nails up they swore up and down they'd get em all with their magnets.

They paid for quite a few plugs and down time for me while the tires inthe mower were getting repaired.


Also American, as it was mentioned in your other post about the exact same thing....http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=196255

you don't own to the road..., the ditch area is a right of way and is county property. in most places

Also since you live right across form the FD you seem to be acutely aware of all their events, so it should be rather easy to not treat right before an event or to rope off part of your lawn...


I chose to treat my lawn the evening before so I could put flags out there in hopes people would not drive on my lawn (and flags). That didn't work.:waving:

[Eakern & Dog]

I guess I'm speechless.............I can't believe that somebody let alone multiple people would think it okay to park on a lawn belonging to another person without permission. :confused: Un- freak en believable

[elshauno]

Some nice decorative boulders placed along the curb will solve your problem

[americanlawn]

Maybe I missed it but, I didn't see anywhere that you have made an effort to resolve this with the FD.

You should talk to the chief at the firehouse and, in a friendly manner, try to come to a resolution.

I don't really see a reason for them not wanting to help you with your problem unless you have a previous history with them (other issues?). Bottom line is you don't want a bad relationship with them since you're such close neighborgs.

:waving:

I know, but I don't consider this the Fire Department's responsibility. They are great guys, and I don't want to complain about "them", cuz it ain't their fault. They have nothing to do with illegally parked vehicles.:usflag:

[americanlawn]

I guess I'm speechless.............I can't believe that somebody let alone multiple people would think it okay to park on a lawn belonging to another person without permission. :confused: Un- freak en believable

Eakern --- I feel the same way. I have never driven on other peoples' lawns in my whole life. Sure - the first 15 feet or so might "belong to the county", but......These people are probably the same ones that throw trash out their windows. TRUE Americans don't behave this way.:usflag:

[DiyDave]

Elshauno- I love that Quote of Franklin's, I use it frequently to bash liberals who want more regulation to control the competition. Fight the good fight!

[turfsolutions]

Some nice decorative boulders placed along the curb will solve your problem

This is what I would do. I have a neighborhood with no sidewalks and this is a real issue here. Most people put a large rock every 6-8 feet on the grass right up against the street. It doesn't look great, but it looks better than tire marks going through your lawn. This way you don't have to deal with the police, fire companies, and the a holes parking on your lawn. They won't park on your lawn with the rocks there. Try it out.

[KS_Grasscutter]

I am not sure I would want to get on the FD's bad side by putting out rocks preventing people from parking for their party. Is there any way to use some gravel and make a little parking area there? Maybe the FD/County would even pay for part of it? That way it would prevent your lawn from getting rutted up.

[PR Fect]

I would print off some flyer's. Put them on the cars windows everytime someone parks there. You need to remember even though they on on an area of lawn that you mow and take care of, they are most likely still in the street right a way. This is not your area to do much of anything. The reason they park so far off the street and on to "your" lawn is because the street is too narrow. Thus the reason its posted no parking. I would think that most people getting a note on their windshield explaining they are in the wrong to do what they did, would in fact not do it a second time. Good Luck, PR

[turfsolutions]

I am not sure I would want to get on the FD's bad side by putting out rocks preventing people from parking for their party. Is there any way to use some gravel and make a little parking area there? Maybe the FD/County would even pay for part of it? That way it would prevent your lawn from getting rutted up.

You wouldn't be preventing them from parking along your lawn, just not on it. Its a strange phenomenon, if there are no rocks they will park on the lawn, if there are rocks they will park on the street as if there were a curb like they are suppossed to. I wouldn't talk to the Fire or Police or hang flyers or key the sides of the cars, maybe a splatter from the side chute of the lawn mower, wetting the lawn first of course for best results, no wait just kidding. The rocks will solve the problem with no one being insulted.

[americanlawn]

Update: Yesterday, a member of the Polk County street department called me back. He said they will "plant" even more (no parking) signs along our street. (as if we don't have enough of them already). He asked that I notify them of upcoming events, so they could come out and install plastic fencing along my lawn. Seems like alot of work to me. Also, there's a 4 x 8 steel plate in this same area (fiber optics) which is not designed to handle the weight of vehicles. That's all I know now. BTW -- I mowed last weekend. I pointed the chute toward the street. It sent much trash out into the street.

[mattfromNY]

I like the big rock idea, but I wouldn't want them in my front lawn. What about looking into those big, Fake rocks? Just put them out there before a party, then pick them up and put 'em back in the attic until the next gathering. Just an idea, if they aren't too expensive.

[americanlawn]

The county put in a marker stake in front where the additional "no parking sign" will be installed. Now we have "no parking" signs all over the place, but I know it won't change anything. In my ditch, there's even a 3X6 foot steel plate that covers up fiber optics cables -- I just learned that this should NEVER be driven on..........still, trucks and cars will drive & park right on top of it. Oh well. And the new sign will just be something else for me to mow around.

[turfsolutions]

I personally would rather have a few rocks in my lawn than a no parking sign and temporary fence. JMO