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Overgrown trees blocking roadway on northwest side

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Posted at 6:19 PM, Jul 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-12 19:25:49-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Trees are growing into the roadway on the northwest side, and residents are concerned it's a safety hazard.

It can be dangerous driving down 56th Street just off Grandview Drive. Families feel the trees and brush are growing into the roadway here. Even blocking a stop sign behind me and making it difficult to see."

"That stop sign that's there, you used to be able to see about halfway down the block and now you have to be almost there before you can actually see it," Robert Yost said. "Well, it can be a little bit frightening at times for the simple reason that the growth has started to come over the top of the roadway.

"And if you try to pass two cars at certain points on there, it's impossible. So someone has to yield."

The vegetation Yost referred to is located next to the Highland Golf and Country Club, and he said it doesn't have to be like this.

"It was really pretty and nice," he said. "They had some nice flowers there and nice bushes, and over the years, the trees have taken over."

Neighbors said they've resorted to trimming the trees themselves.

The golf course said they've maintained the greenery there in the past. They're going to have their superintendent check it out now. But part of the property is in the public right of way, which is the city's responsibility.

The city says they'd have to send a surveyor out to determine the boundaries for sure. But vegetation maintenance is typically on the property owner.

"The golf course has been a good neighbor. I don't want to imply that they haven't been," Yost said. "They've been very very good over the years and I know money is tight and things are tight. So it's a bit understandable. But on the other hand, it would be nice to be able to see this cut back."

The city recommends people call the Mayor's Action Center when public signs are obstructed. Someone will inspect the issue and decide what to do next.