My Green Lake | Seattle's Green Lake Blog

Editor’s note – Please join me in welcoming Sarah Heath, My Green Lake’s newest contributor.  Sarah, a real estate broker with Matrix Real Estate, writes about North Seattle life on her personal blog, North Seattle Sarah.

As a newcomer to the Green Lake neighborhood, Sarah has an interesting perspective to share.  We are very lucky to have her on board – thanks, Sarah!

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When I was living around NW 73rd St and 1st Ave NW in Phinneywood, I was at first a little weirded out by the little green men.  Their presence seemed to say to me, “We’re overly protective of this neighborhood and will come after you if you do something wrong!”

But after being there awhile and becoming a frequent pedestrian, I learned to love the men.  And the speed bumps. And the traffic circles.  In high pedestrian areas, it seems we need reminders to slow down.  I can’t tell you how many cyclists I have seen clipped, or people I’ve seen dash out of a crosswalk, because someone was going down a residential road at 35 or 40 miles per hour.  These are narrow roads, and everyone has to share them (and P.S. to cyclists – just because you’re on a bike, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t slow down too – I have seen some mighty fast bicycles).  Remember that your neighbors’ kids and pets are out there, as well as local wildlife, and other cars might be about to turn down the street you’re racing down.

So, Green Lake.  Where do I start.  You need more little green men.  There are so many more people walking, cycling, and jogging in Green Lake than in Phinney, yet no one slows down like they do in Phinney.  At 5:15, as I’m driving back from work, people are bumper to bumper, swerving around each other, laying on the horn, cutting people off - I watched a bicycle swerve into the sidewalk just yesterday because a car didn’t look before making a right turn.

I walked yesterday from my place to the Greenlake Bar & Grill (which, if you follow along North Seattle Sarah, has made amends with me by currently serving up Elysian Men’s Room). At TWO very visible crosswalks between my place and the restaurant (probably about 8 blocks), I had to stop from crossing the street because a car coming up towards the crosswalk was not even close to slowing down.  They race right through.

I am going to guess that these cars that are swerving, racing, and honking aren’t from around here.  I guess that because I can’t possibly imagine that someone that has lived in Green Lake for more than just a few weeks could drive that dangerously around their own neighbors.  Right? (Please tell me I’m right.)

photo credit: Charleston’s TheDigitel