| Citizens want to blaze new trail |
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| Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor | ||||
| Friday, 08 June 2012 09:50 | ||||
At the center of the comments is the intent to route a portion of the trail on the west edge of the Bowling Green High School/Middle School campus, which abuts the Village subdivision. Many of the approximately 50 people who attended a meeting at the Community Center suggested turning the trail east at the north edge of the school property to Fairview Avenue and then south to Poe Road. The present proposed route would also end at Poe Road just west of the exit to the school parking lot. Speakers said they felt better about the Fairview-Poe crossing because it has a traffic light and crosswalks. They also expressed concerns about vandalism, additional trash and related problems the trail might bring to the neighborhood. Some indicated being next to the school complex already generated enough headaches. One resident said a fence on the west side of the trail behind Fort Drive properties would probably collect trash and also limit the ability of residents to have direct access to the schools. There was support for the trail as a way to provide an alternative route for bicyclists who want to avoid busy roads. There have been two fatalities in the area, one a bicyclist and one a pedestrian. Construction of the first phase of the trail from the Community Center on the south side of Newton Road east to Brim Road began this spring. The city is using a grant from the Wood County Park District for this part of the project. Director of Parks and Recreation Dr. Michelle Grigore anticipates the trail will be constructed in five or six phases as funds become available. The estimated cost for each phase is $25,000. The length of the trail as proposed is 1.8 miles. Although not part of the first phase work, Grigore said the plan is to have a user-activated pedestrian crossing light at Newton and Brim roads.
Along the edge of the school property, Grigore said it is likely two trees would have to be removed. She said there are no plans for removal of a large number of trees. Grigore said the school district has been asked to consider an easement for the trail but has not taken any action. She said providing additional trails ranked high on the recreational needs survey conducted in 2010. More than 600 surveys were returned out of about 5,000 mailed to registered voters in the city. Grigore encouraged those who attended the meeting to put their comments in writing. She will also be accepting comments from the public for the next two weeks via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . After two weeks she will compile a report and make a recommendation to Municipal Administrator John Fawcett. Fawcett said he would make a decision after sharing the information with the Lands and Buildings Committee of city council. He also said the Police Division would be visible on the trail with bicycle patrols. |
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