Sidewalk Flap Casts Shadow On Beautiful N.J. Rec Center

LYNDHURST, N.J. (CBS 2) -- A New Jersey town is being praised for building a recreation center with a pre-school and brand new fields.

But some residents say the town forgot one thing -- the sidewalk.

It's rare to see parents take risks when walking down the dangerous hill to a pre-school in Lyndhurst, but CBS 2's Christine Sloan found at least one mother who does. Sheena Tripodi has a 4-year-old at the school and said there should be a sidewalk on Valley Brook Avenue.

"There's a few parents who walk back and forth and as you can see it's dangerous because the top of the hill you can't see who is coming. If you walk on side with no sidewalk a car could hit you," Tripodi said.

There is no sidewalk on one side of the road but there is one on the other side.

"I wish I could walk but I can't because half of it doesn't have a sidewalk," parent Kristen Dimler said.

Sloan came to Lyndhurst after receiving an e-mail from a concerned resident. The majority of parents who have children in the pre-school applaud the town for building the recreation center two years ago. Most said they drive here and love the fact it costs them $10 a day for pre-school.

"I am thrilled the rec center picked up the pre-school or else it wouldn't have been," parent Carol Rigano said.

"This is a beautiful facility," another parent added.

The town also rents the fields to the Red Bulls soccer team organization. The commissioner of Lyndhurst Parks and Recreation told Sloan the town is planning on renovating a pathway behind the fields within the next six months, now that it has received a $150,000 grant.

"If you look in the back of this facility there is an entrance from the top of the hill. We don't really need a sidewalk on this particular street. It's a two-way street. There's no much we can do," commissioner Tom DiMaggio said.

Police are also on hand at the recreation center directing traffic and the commissioner said school kids who use the facility are bussed in and that no one should be walking this busy road.

The viewer who sent us the email did not want to talk on camera but said the problem is worse in the evening when kids are leaving soccer practice.

Town officials said most recreation centers and little league fields around the state are built in busier areas with lots of space and that the majority of parents drive their kids to games and practices.

Town administrators said there is no ordinance that requires them to build a sidewalk on the road.

CBS 2 wants to know about roadways or walkways that are problematic in your area. Is there a danger zone that makes you wonder, "Whose bright idea was this?" Tell us about it! We may take on your complaint and feature it on CBS 2 HD News.

Click here to send us an e-mail and tell us exactly what and where the problem is. Please don't forget to include contact information so we can reach you.