A railing on the Riverwalk? (Dallas, Bowie: lawyers, safety, install) - City-Data Forum

m22 · 02-26-2009, 07:11 AM

We need a railing on the River Walk. And I agree, although it was laughed off by various news organizations. Why are we laughing this off? Just because it comes from Mark Cuban? With three kids under 6, I have many, many, many times worried that one could get separated and knocked in the water by the herds of tourists, or that I could accidentally get nudged myself. I know I am not going to drown, but with the crowds, it just makes sense to have a railing. You'll NEVER see a major metropolitan sidewalk drop off into any kind of water anywhere else, it's not safe. Who also believes this could be a good idea, and what can we do to make it happen? I am newer to S.A. so forgive me if this has been addressed and shot down in the past.

banker · 02-26-2009, 07:32 AM

It would ruin the river walk. In over 40 years this hasn't been a problem and I see no reason to add a railing now. I too have little kids - and when down there, am just extra careful with them. I want them to enjoy the riverwalk just like it is when they are older.

No railing. Thank you.

Bo · 02-26-2009, 07:38 AM

The water's only 3 or 4 feet deep in most places along the Riverwalk, making the rescue of wayward pedestrians trivial. That's probably why there's no railing.

If the Riverwalk were built from scratch today, the risk analysts would probably prevail and it would have a railing.

majormadmax · 02-26-2009, 07:48 AM

This begs the question, how many people have fallen into the water at the Riverwalk? I believe it is a fairly uncommon event, although that does surprise me as it appears it would be very easy to be bumped into the water.

And I don't care what Cuban says or thinks, as his defense of Josh Howard after an online video surfaced showing the Dallas Mavericks forward disrespecting the national anthem has dissolved any respect or credibility I have for either of the two. But I understand Cuban's concern, as if I were to chance upon him on the Riverwalk, I would happily knock him into the water!

Lastly, I have to disagree with Bowie as I think it would be the lawyers that would require the railing if it were built today!

Cheers! M2

cr1039 · 02-26-2009, 07:59 AM

I would love to see a railing. Often if I am dowtown for a dinner or evening out (or any other time) and I wearing heels.

Walking on the uneven areas, in heels, along with not wanting to rub next to any Tom, Dick and Harry, paired with running kids, wheel chairs, large people, tourists taking photos...I have felt many times that there may have been a close call.

catriona · 02-26-2009, 08:01 AM

WOAI reported that there have been very isolated times that someone has fallen in the river. I bet the person was drunk, too. The times I've been down there, people are very careful about the edge of the walk way and I've never felt like I was going to be pushed or shoved off into the water. Putting a railing would install a false sense of safety and thus cause more problems with people falling in or breaking down the railing, if that makes any sense. Not to mention it would be ugly and destroy the ambiance. As for small children, been there, done that. Parents just need to keep them under control and away from the water's edge.

MM2:

Quote:

But I understand Cuban's concern, as if I were to chance upon him on the Riverwalk, I would happily knock him into the water!

LOL! How about when they drain the river in January to clean it? They could just dredge him out with all the other trash!

banker · 02-26-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cr1039

I would love to see a railing. Often if I am dowtown for a dinner or evening out (or any other time) and I wearing heels.

Walking on the uneven areas, in heels, along with not wanting to rub next to any Tom, Dick and Harry, paired with running kids, wheel chairs, large people, tourists taking photos...I have felt many times that there may have been a close call.

You can always walk on the side of the sidewalk away from the river. I see plenty of "concerned" people walk on that side. If you don't like the edge, don't walk next to it.

Leave the railing off!

Pontifikate · 02-26-2009, 08:23 AM

You lost me at "Mark Cuban".

cr1039 · 02-26-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banker

You can always walk on the side of the sidewalk away from the river. I see plenty of "concerned" people walk on that side. If you don't like the edge, don't walk next to it.

Leave the railing off!

Sure, but then I am not "walking on the right"

What exactly is is about the railing you do not like?

What about the expansion project?

sapphire · 02-26-2009, 08:32 AM

I don't think we need a railing, either, although I do understand the concern with small children. However, you have to keep your kids from running into the street without railings for prevention, so........