A look at some of the things people put in the street to save their shoveled out parking spaces.
If you live in an urban area and have on-street parking, freeing your car from its snow and ice prison can be a daunting task after a winter storm.
First, you have to trudge into the street and in the path of oncoming vehicles - including large SUVs that can't possibly veer an inch off course even zipping down a skinny, snowy street.
This is while you chip away at the ice, pick up heavy loads of snow, look for a place to dump it while fighting off thoughts of news reports about how many people die each year exerting themselves shoveling snow.
Then, hours later, you've finally created enough of a channel to get your vehicle out, thanks to a lot of wheel spinning, car rocking and maybe even a push from your neighbor.
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Now when you return only a short time later from your trip to Dunkin' Donuts, is it too much to ask that your spot, still warm from engine heat, is there for you?
Why take that chance? The stakes are too high.
Sure you trust most of your neighbors, but not all of them.
So, you spend a minute to toss an old chair or recycling bucket into the space. That will let them know you mean business.
If, on a regular day, fences make good neighbors, on snow days, a chair or two placed in your cleared-out parking space may just help prevent anarchy in the cities.
So far, we have seen:
- several types of chairs
- a milk crate
- traffic cones
- luggage
- garbage bags
In the comments below, share your photos and ideas of the creative items you've used - or seen - to save your urban parking spot.
Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @michaelmancuso Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook