Last year and for the beginning of this season, the Hudson Farmers Market has been spread out into two parking lots in order to achieve the physical distancing required during the pandemic. Now that COVID restrictions have been lifted, the market is moving back to its longtime location in the parking lot at the corner of Sixth and Columbia streets.
More than thirty local producers and vendors will be offering the bounty of the season--strawberries, peas, greens, scapes, and zucchini--in the their familiar spots in the old location. Masks are recommended for those who are not vaccinated. For those who are, masks and distancing are optional.
100's of customers coming and going from the market for 4 hours, many with children, dogs, strollers, bags full of produce, talking with friends as they cross Columbia Street (our wonderful TRUCK ROUTE) and 6th Street, both always busy on a Saturday morning. And yet, there is not one drop of paint at the intersection of Columbia and 6th, and it appears there never has been. Not one stop line (where there could be 3) to remind cars where to stop so the crossing area is free to cross for pedestrians. Not one painted, striped crosswalk (where there could be 4) to keep pedestrians from getting run over. What does it say to pedestrians and market customers that the City of Hudson, and specifically Rob Perry and his DPW, feels this intersection along our truck route doesn't need crosswalks or even stop lines while the entirety of Warren Street is covered in well-maintained stop lines and crosswalks? It says "We don't give a hoot about you and your family's well-being. Good luck getting across the street in one piece." We deserve a whole lot better in the year 2021. It's embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteBILL Huston