The newest initiative in this is Columbia Association's multi-pronged Connecting Columbia initiative. The goal, from the Connecting Columbia website, is:
To create a more interconnected bicycling and walking circulation system in Columbia for health, recreational, and transportation purposesSounds great to me. I think it's no secret that Columbia's trailways are amazing-- other cities would kill for 90-some miles of trailways-- but underused for a variety of reasons (signage, please!). I applaud CA for looking how to leverage this fantastic resource we have. CA has hired Toole Design Group to "develop an action agenda to enhance CA’s pathway system." So out of this initiative will come a plan with concrete goals for CA to pursue in creating this interconnected system.
So tonight and tomorrow, CA is holding open houses tonight and tomorrow to get public input into the process. Tonight's open house will be held at the Owen Brown Community Center at 6800 Cradlerock Way, and tomorrow's will be at Slayton House in Wilde Lake at 10400 Cross Fox Lane; both are 7:30 pm to 9 pm. You can get more info and RSVP at http://connecting-columbia-public-meetings.eventbrite.com.
(I had every intention on attending the Owen Brown open house tonight but man, this cold has come back with a vengeance this evening. So I'm eating soup and going to bed early tonight instead.)
Can't make an open house? CA has two other opportunities for public opinion online-- a survey and a map where people can identify specific areas for improvement. Both are accessible from the Connecting Columbia page at http://www.columbiaassociation.com/connectingcolumbia.
I'm hoping others will be able to make it out for the open houses and report back! (hint hint)
Thanks for this post Sarah. Look forward to seeing community members tonight at Owen Brown and tomorrow night at Slayton House.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Sarah-I'm sick so can't go out but took the survey!
ReplyDeleteBack from the meeting tonight at Owen Brown. There was a great turnout and lots of interest in pointing out specific hazards, needs for connections and the good things about the paths. Going online is a great way to voice your opinions and concerns. Thanks for posting Sarah. Feel better.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, You'd have been the utterly perfect attendee at this event with your interest and passion around transportation and cycling, being a resident of the 'hood in which the event was held and your ability to see patterns of growth and change. Hope you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteThe link, if anyone wants to register for tonight's event, is http://connecting-columbia-public-meetings.eventbrite.com/ Registration is requested but not required.