Rohnert Park Sign – The Friendly City
July 19th, 2009 categories: Pics, Rohnert Park
The Rohnert Park sign that is visible from 101 (Redwood Highway) is clear in its statement that Rohnert Park is “The Friendly City.” This is evident in the people that live in Rohnert Park…for the most part all great people.
The question I have is why is the Rohnert Park city sign in such bad shape?
Even when I drive by the Rohnert Park sign on Commerce, I can tell it is in bad shape. The other day we were taking a walk along the sidewalk along Commerce, and when we got up close to the sign itself, it was in much worse shape than I ever noticed. There are dents in the main column that hides the support beams, some holes in the sign itself, and the paint is circa 1980 I am guessing. The colors of the sign are also not welcoming, a brown and yellow combination that make me think of shag carpet while Disco Inferno keeps resonating in my head. This is not the welcome that the Rohnert Park City Council wants to give outsiders is it?
I am not that politically active, however the President Obama’s call for volunteerism was great, and I hope people take to it. I thought I might volunteer to paint this sign, so I made a call to the City of Rohnert Park. I am not sure I spoke to the correct person, but I offered my less than expert services, and was told no for various reasons…liability, lack of painting as a proven skillset (even though I have some moderate experience here), and liability again.
When I was told that my volunteer services would not be needed, I was not so much disappointed as I was surprised. Who turns down free help? Apparently the City of Rohnert Park does…at least in this instance.
Anyway…each time I drive by this sign I am shocked at how the condition of the sign seems to get worse and worse by the day. It is overgrown and in such bad condition, I am surprised there is not a city crew that could spend a couple of hours bringing it back to life. I would like to think the nameplate of a city such as Rohnert Park would stand for something and should be kept in good working condition.
Just my thoughts…I hope I am not alone in this.
Wake Up Rohnert Park City Council…if you are not going to pay to have work done, then have enough foresight NOT to turn down volunteer labor!
Great Point! I have been wondering that myself. The sign and font looks like something out of the 80s. Our church would be more then happy to help restore the sign to something more modern.