Daily News Record Article 12/30
Two upcoming events organized by the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition are planned to solicit feedback on the issue. The first, an informational session on local bike and walking plans, will be held at the Shenandoah Bicycle Co., 135 S. Main St., on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The public is also invited to join cycling and walking advocates on Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at Clementine Café, 153 S. Main St., for a presentation by Charlie Deny and Fionnuala Quinn, of Oregon-based Alta Planning & Design. Deny and Quinn will discuss efforts to improve the planning and overall design of regional biking facilities.
Plan Took Shape In 2010
Spurred by members of the biking coalition and other enthusiasts, the city has instituted a number of trail projects and other features to improve recreation, access and safety for cyclists in Harrisonburg.
First introduced in 2010, the city’s bicycle and pedestrian plan was last updated in March.
Thomas Jenkins, chairman of the Harrisonburg Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee, said he’s happy to see recent progress on two of the city’s major projects, the Bluestone Trail and the Northend Greenway. But they aren’t necessarily the key elements of the city’s bike and pedestrian plan. The plan’s focus lies more in enhancing connectivity between neighborhoods.
“This will be an opportunity for people to get familiar with [the plan] and hear updates and how it’s progressing. And like any plan, [it’s] constantly evolving,” he said.
The Bluestone Trail is a proposed mile-long bike trail that planners envision running from the James Madison University area on Port Republic Road south through Purcell Park, then on to Stone Spring Road. The Northend Greenway is a planned 1.5-mile multi-use trail that will serve the north side of Harrisonburg.
Thanh Dang, a public works planner for the city of Harrisonburg, said City Council recently endorsed the Bluestone project. Engineering and cost estimates are expected this summer. To help bring the project to fruition, Dang said the city plans to apply for a grant that may fund up to $75,000 toward the overall cost, which hasn’t been determined.
“It’s a small pot of money, but it would get the project started,” she said.
Jenkins and Dang say they hope that even those who rarely walk or bike will take the opportunity to give input and gain insight on what’s envisioned for the Harrisonburg area.
“The upcoming events [are] nothing formal, but hopefully people will learn about the things that are going on the community,” Dang said.
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