The City of LaGrange is considering eliminating 24 parking spaces near Southbend Park that the police department worries could be a safety risk due to visibility.

On Tuesday, the LaGrange City Council held its first reading on an ordinance to eliminate parking spaces on the south side of Bull Street near Southbend Park. In a previous discussion on parking in the area, Mayor Jim Thornton and Council Member Tom Gore asked if eliminating the spaces would leave those using the park with enough spaces to park. During Tuesday’s work session, City Manager Meg Kelsey provided a count of available spaces near the park.

“We calculate 24 spaces roughly, that are 20 feet in length, that would be removed,” Kelsey said. “There are 20 spaces in the Cherry Street parking lot that was developed on the south side of the park, and there are 29 on-street parking on Pierce Street. So, that is about 49 spaces, and then there is the lot that we think a lot of the skateboarders park in because of its proximity to Wild Leap.”

The north side of the street will remain open for parking, and there is handicapped parking available in the parking lot on Cherry Street.

“It came from a request from the police department as it related to parking on the south side of Bull Street, basically Southbend Park,” Kelsey said. “They were worried about people parking there and the children getting in and out of cars. They have recommended that we prohibit parking.”

The LaGrange City Council will meet again on Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at 208 Ridley Avenue.