The Baldwin Beacon, Volume 40
"How are the roads?" Maple Leaf Trail, annual Residential Decorating Contest, and more
Season Ahead: “How Are the Roads?”
Moving into the winter season, some questions crop up every year. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions, and some insight into the planning and process of being prepared for a severe weather event.
All city staff members with weather-event duties stay tuned into Douglas County Emergency Management Alerts, and we work closely with our outside partner agencies as needed.
Sand and salt stock piles are ordered early and refilled as necessary. Trucks are readied, filled, and kept pointed outward, making roll out as efficient as possible. If there’s time before predicted weather comes in, we’ll get out and pre-treat with salt and sand.
For the sake of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, we’ll wait until the snow is done to plow, unless road conditions get dangerous. We stay in close contact with Baldwin City Police Officers during winter weather events.
Snow routes are: High Street, Lawrence Street to Highway 56, and 6th Street. If there is more than 2 inches of snow fall, you must move your vehicle off the snow routes in order to avoid being ticketed or towed. We do recommend moving vehicles off all city streets if possible when more than an inch of snow is expected, in order to allow the plows access.
We focus on the snow routes, the roads near the schools, and downtown first. These are the heaviest traffic areas within city limits. The brick streets get slick very quickly, so we try to get to them early. They also take extra time because we need to navigate around vehicles.
Douglas County is responsible for 6th Street (1055) and KDOT maintains Highway 56. The city does not maintain these two main roads, including weather maintenance.
Plow drivers may have low visibility, and are concentrating on several things — the position of the plow, curb lines, ditches, parked cars, mailboxes, watching their mirrors for traffic and pedestrians… all at the same time. Please try to make their job a bit easier and keep everyone a little safer.
If there’s enough snowfall to allow for sizable snow plow piles, please do NOT allow children to play in the snow plow piles. It can be exceedingly dangerous.
Last, but maybe most important, please be patient with us. We are out working for our town in the worst of conditions. We want to ensure the streets are as safe as possible so everyone can get home safely.
Maple Leaf Trail Phase I Nears Completion
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has nearly completed the section of the Maple Leaf Trail that connects the Elm Street multi-use trail to the Santa Fe Depot at High Street. Lights, benches, and fencing have now been installed, and crews are finishing up reseeding along the sidewalk.
ADA access to the trail is available from High Street and Elm Street, as well as from the sidewalk coming from the Intermediate Center and ball courts on Bullpup Drive.
Full information about all three phases of the Maple Leaf Trail Project is available on the City website.
Annual Residential Decorating Contest Launches, Deadline December 13
Light up your house for the holidays and enter to win cash prizes plus utility bill credit, in the City's 2024 Residential Decorating Contest!
1st place: $250 cash + $100 utility credit
2nd place: $150 cash + $75 utility credit
3rd place: $100 cash + $50 utility credit
Judging will be the weekend of December 14th, with winners announced at the December 17th Council Meeting. Cash prizes are sponsored by Christmas Decor by The Grounds Guys of Olathe. Utility credits will be automatically applied to the December bill.
To enter, submit a form by December 13th to City Hall (803 8th Street) or online from the button below. Print forms are available at City Hall.
Women’s Bridge Park Gets New Benches
Thanks to an Eagle Scout Project managed by Jeremy Pahcoddy, the park commonly known as Yogi Bear Park has new custom-made benches near the basketball court and the play area.
Upcoming Events
December 10 City Council Utility Worksession
December 17 City Council Meeting
December 24 & 25 All City Offices Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
January 1 All City Offices Closed for New Years’ Day
January 20 All City Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Junior Day