Ruffled feathers lead to fowl play in city signage

By Kyra Hoggan

There’s been a lot of hilarity on social media surrounding Castlegar’s two new ‘turkey crossing’ signs along Columbia Avenue near the Kootenay Smile Studio and Wolf’s Den Tattoo Parlor.

“Turkeys can read now?”

“Of course not, that’s why the signs have pictures, too.”

That sort of thing.

But underneath the jocularity is a very serious concern, according to city councillor and chair of the Public Works Committee Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff – it’s a poultry issue, not a paltry one.

“The issue came up a while ago,” she said. “Turkeys have actually flown into people’s cars, smashing the windshields. Others didn’t see the turkeys until the last second and slammed on the brakes (creating a risk for the motorist behind them.”

There have also been motorists swerving to avoid the birds – a dangerous fowl play, given the volume of traffic on Columbia Avenue.

“It really is a serious safety issue – we listened to people, and ordered the signs,” Heaton-Sherstobitoff said, adding the signs cost just $100 each. “If it saves someone from getting into an accident, it’s well worth the investment.”

She said the signs also add a unique flavour to an already-charming city.

“How many communities have turkey crossing signs?” she said. “We look out for our neighbours, our friends … and our birds.”