At the Gulf Pines board meeting on July 20, the board unanimously approved the installation of yet another alligator warning sign. In the wake of the tragic alligator incident at Disney, the wildlife group proposed that an alligator warning sign be erected along the paved portion of Gulf Pines Drive where non-residents stand to observe the eagle platform. The next time you arrive in Gulf Pines you will see it tucked in close to the waterway on the right side of the road.
We love how beautiful Gulf Pines looks with so much thick and green vegetation but some people seem to think it’s more important to block the scenery with signs of dubious value. On the roads and greenways of Gulf Pines there are 51 signs* of which 11 are dedicated to alligator warnings. In contrast, Gulf Shores has six road signs and zero alligator signs. There are no alligator warning signs along the San-Cap shared-use path and none along Wildlife Drive in Ding Darling where tourists creep closer and closer to snap a photo or selfie.
Putting the risk of a fatal alligator in perspective, Florida averages 10-13 deaths a year by lightening strikes. According the Florida Wildlife Commission, since 1948 there have been 25 fatal alligator bites in all of Florida, about one every 2.7 years.
For a good article on Florida HOA liability issues read the following link: http://www.floridacondohoalawblog.com/2016/07/articles/operations/liability-operations/wildlife-dangers-create-association-liability-concerns-in-florida-communities/
It is of concern that the board did not reach out to the community for their opinions before making the decision. The eagles are gone until the next nesting season so there is plenty of time to give thoughtful consideration to an issue that might be of concern to the community. Unfortunately, the board didn’t think they needed more opinions.
* The sign count does not include signs posted at the swimming pools, the club house, tennis court, street names, house number signs, and stickers on utility boxes. The signs at the entry off San-Cap weren’t included, as well as the two signs at the split to Gulf Shores.
