Mailbag: Tips for making Forest Avenue pedestrian zone work

In early May, the Laguna Beach City Council agreed to close Forest Avenue from Coast Highway to Glenneyre Street for a period in August and September to boost aesthetics and create a more pedestrian-friendly downtown. Before the Forest Avenue Closure stirs more panic from motorists, merchants and the petition police, here are some steps to ensure the event will give us meaningful results. A successful event means a positive community experience and a commercial success.

1. Change the name: The Forest Closure brings panic to the uninitiated motorist. In a town famous for renaming initiatives to change public perception, try The Forest Ped-Zone or Car-Free Forest or The Forest Ped-La-Via or Forest Cheese Cake.

2. Temporary parking: Provide temporary replacement parking for 56 Forest Avenue parking spaces. Use employee parking near City Hall, the Lumberyard parking lot, the Wells Fargo parking lot and use signage to direct motorists there.

3. Transit service: Continue regular bus service at Beach and Glenneyre streets, re-route the northbound Forest Avenue bus to Mermaid Street.

4. Trolley route: Schedule and re-route the Laguna Beach Trolley for service to downtown with a stop at East Forest.

5. Public notice: Visitors can consider alternative transportation within Laguna. Residents can participate in the experiment: leave the car at home.

6. Active transportation: Make it a car-free day, use your feet, skateboard or ride a bike on the new alternative bike-route through Laguna.

7. Bike racks: Locate visible bike racks at the post office, Scandia Bakery and the Lumber Yard.

8. Food: Serve food and beverages, hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream, soda and yes, beer.

9. Commerce: Use signs to draw street traffic — that’s where the people are. Kiosks, A-frame pavement signs, sign mannequins. Autos don’t carry wallets, people do.

10. Seating: Don’t spare the shaded tables chairs and especially lawn chairs — put them in the street. Use pedestal tables in public meeting areas.

11. Footwear: Wear walking shoes, sunscreen and bring a mug. Plan to join the walk-in experience on Forest Avenue.

Les Miklosy

Laguna Beach