A crosswalk challenge at New Hyde Park PAL

Brutal. That's the word Artie Catania uses to describe traffic conditions in front of the New Hyde Park Police Athletic League.

The almost-constant stream of delivery trucks, tractor trailers and cement mixers rumbling past on Denton Avenue presents a challenge to anyone seeking to cross the street.

Two distinct constituencies rely on the crosswalk: Children headed for the playing fields across from the PAL and senior citizens who live next to the fields, in North Hempstead's Denton Green complex.

Both could use some help crossing the four-lane road.

PAL staff accompany the children to and from the field, and North Hempstead provides a crossing guard during summer programs at the facility.

At the senior complex, property manager Chrissy Nappi has gone so far as to hire a valet service: When the complex' parking lots were closed for repaving, and residents used the PAL lot across the street, Nappi decided a valet was a worthwhile expense to get them home safely.

About half the residents in the 112-unit complex no longer drive, Nappi said, so walking is their primary means of getting around. But at curbside, just leaning into the roadway to see what's coming is risky: Traffic passes inches away because there's no shoulder or parking lane. Since a large tree blocks the view, leaning in is essential to see oncoming traffic.

And once the coast is clear? "If you're a slow walker, it can be a very slow crossing," Nappi said.

Both Catania and Nappi have asked public officials for a signal that pedestrians could activate to stop traffic. Nappi has given the county a petition with names of more than 50 Denton Green residents.

Traffic engineering staff have told Catania and Nappi they're evaluating the location. Watchdog got a similar response.

We'll all stay tuned.