Floods, guns and more in today’s letters to the editor.

Pick of the day: Limit the fun to safe areas

Recent letter writers (“Roanoke’s ‘No Fun’ zones,” Jan. 22 Pick of the day, and “The whole valley’s a ‘No Fun’ zone,” Jan. 28) indicate the Roanoke Valley is anti-fun for children because of signs posted prohibiting skateboards and bicycles. Logic dictates where those signs appear for the safety of users of skateboards and bicycles and pedestrians.

Several years ago, I was at a mall, on the sidewalk, heading to my car, when I was knocked down by a 13-year-old trying to catch a football. My injuries included a broken knee, wrist and hand fractures, and damage to my rotator cuff resulting in eight weeks missed work, six weeks of physical therapy, plus medical bills.

I am still dealing with painful side effects.

This is why certain areas, such as sidewalks and parking lots, should be restricted to bar all recreational activities that can endanger pedestrians.

Children should have a safe place to skateboard and ride bikes. Why not make parts of all of our parks in the Roanoke Valley for skateboarders?

Roanoke Valley residents and businesses are very supportive of children, but they also need to protect themselves, their property and their customers.

BERTIE MAYES

HOLLINS