Case Date:

4/28/2023

Leaf blowing riding-mower abuse. The riding mower, attached with a leaf blower, driven by a city employee, Wednesday April 26 at 12:30pm, was being used to abuse the soil and surrounding greenspace. The shoulder of the west spur trail, at the southern end of the Switchyard Trail, was being subjected to harsh blower force and hostile behaviour. This force and speed created a billowing soil-cloud that rose 50ft above the trail and continued to float towards the creek 300 ft in an east direction. This environmental abuse was viewed from the Bloomington Rail Trail parking lot and witnessed by two city employees and five volunteers. From this vantage point we were able to see the leaf blower mechanism had a diameter of 12-18". The speed and noise of the mower drew our attention. The previous day, I had conducted a survey and recorded invasive plants along this portion of the trail. This slender strip of greenspace did not have leaves to be cleared from the trail, nor did it need to be mown. In addition, I observed the ground cover habitat being used by a pileated woodpecker as it foraged for food. Treating habitat in this way destroys important food sources, is a breathing health-hazard, is abusive, and demonstrates hostile behaviour.

Case Date:

5/15/2023

Feels unsafe to walk trails during the day, numerous homeless people were seen on the sidewalks strung out on drugs. I noticed that the campers were coming out of several encampments throughout the trail during our walk. Also, just curious why the homeless camps have signs posted" private no trespassing" at various locations on trail? Are they on actually on private land or is it owned by the city? This was my first time at the trail and I'm sadden why such a beautiful park that was built with tax payers money has become a haven for the homeless community.

Case Date:

5/31/2023

The unhoused community on the east side of the trail just south of the Switchyard dog park is causing some issues. This morning I was walking my dogs and noticed a dog running off leash, chasing down deer. It started to come towards us but its owner stepped out of the woods and grabbed it. The dog is obviously just being a dog but the owner needs to have the animal on a leash so it doesn’t injure anyone or get injured by someone who isn’t a fan of dogs. I did notice one of the deer limping.

Case Date:

6/4/2023

A branch is suspended precariously over rail trail a little south of country club road

Case Date:

7/5/2023

Wapahani has a ton of trees cutting off trails.

Case Date:

7/21/2023

Lights 137 and 139 not working properly (flashing) on B-Line trail

Case Date:

8/1/2023

Greenway sign graffiti tagged at Morningside and Park Ridge

Case Date:

8/11/2023

Hello, We walked the B-line trail today as we do 1-2 times a week. Today the homeless population presence was overwhelmingly obvious, and frankly, prohibits use of benches, etc. and/or feeling safe. I took 4 pictures but seem unable to load them on this site without losing everything. Someone was actually drying their laundry on one of the benches. There was an over-flowing and abandoned shopping cart along the trail. Not far from that was a "tented" picnic table with two people sleeping and their unsightly over-loaded grocery carts of personal belongings...we are used to homeless people on this trail. We have called the police a few times because we weren't sure the people were alive. We have never seen so many over-loaded shopping carts and drying laundry before. To be honest, we love this trail (going north not far from Kroger) but we don't always feel safe on it. I understand and can tolerate a certain amount of mental illness but not harrassment. I do not claim to know a solution to homelessness, but it seems to me that parking shopping carts, drying laundry and taking over benches that are for people walking the trails should be monitored and at least an attempt made to clear it up. If you let me know an easy way to send you my pictures, I will but including an image here did not work for me. This is the worst I have ever seen this trail look (and feel) in the ten years we have lived here. Thank you for your attention. Eileen Caird

Case Date:

8/28/2023

Rogers Family Park south trail extension: Part of the new asphalt multi-use trail is being undercut on the creek-side (beside the large concrete pad section) and eroding/chipping off. There is no railing, and the walkway has been has cut into by nearly one foot.

Case Date:

9/6/2023

There is an overcup oak in the Goat Farm / Rogers Family Park which appears to have lobed oak galls attached all over. These contain larva of the oak gall wasp. I did not know if this is an environmental / safety concern for the park, but I wanted to bring it to your attention. The tree is one of the first planted, smaller trees, on the left side of the trail if you are walking from Sherwood Oaks Park. Thank you!