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The Yatesville City Council is having problems with people driving vehicles on the city walking track, and is hoping new signs for the track will discourage future incidents.

At their council meeting on August 13, Council Member Phyl Gatlin noted that she has ordered three signs from Lisa Minnick for under $100. The city will be responsible for installing the signs on posts.

“We’ve talked about putting one at the Magnolia Drive entrance, one at the back entrance where some kids are coming up through the woods, and maybe one on the other side near the stairs,” said Gatlin.

“We need to put these signs up because we are beginning to have some problems,” added Mayor Cecil Moncrief. “Two weeks ago somebody had a big party on the far end of the track. They parked vehicles across the track, drove them on the track, and even had a little area down there where they cooked on the track. So there is a grease ring down there.

“But we’re all on the same wave length - when you say something to them, there are no signs down there saying you can’t do anything. So we need to go ahead and get these signs posted, and that way, if you go down there and see somebody, we don’t need vehicles on that track. It is not thick enough to carry traffic. We don’t have any problem with them using the area, they just need to tote their stuff in.

“We don’t have any problems with bicycles or motorized wheelchairs. But anything other than that needs to stay off the track. We’re also considering we may have to put some fencing up,” he added. “We’ll just have to see how these signs work.”

The council also approved assisting the Yatesville Garden Club in purchasing some swings and playground equipment for the track area. Gatlin said the Garden Club has set aside money for playground equipment. She said it will around $2,000 for some swings, and requested use of leftover SPLOST funds designated for recreation to help purchase the equipment.

Gatlin made a motion that if the city has remaining SPLOST funds for recreation, that a six-seat, 10-foot swing set be purchased. She added that swing would be for big kids, and the Garden Club could purchase swings for smaller children. Council member Wanda Dozier seconded the motion and it was approved, 4-0.