Dear Harrisonburg City Council,
On behalf of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, we are writing in support of the Support of the Proposed Quarry Heights Development in Harrisonburg. We believe this project (as proposed) aligns deeply with our mission to create walkable and bikeable communities throughout the Valley. This proposed development will have far-reaching implications for human-scale connectivity in the City of Harrisonburg.
As advocates for active transportation, we recognize that developments like Quarry Heights have the potential to reshape how people navigate their daily lives. By including shared-use paths with connections to the existing Greenway network, Quarry Heights will allow residents to move around safely, reducing the reliance on cars and enhancing community health and vibrancy.
In addition, the Support of the Proposed Quarry Heights Development in Harrisonburg will encourage a healthier lifestyle among residents.
Ultimately, the Support of the Proposed Quarry Heights Development in Harrisonburg is about more than infrastructure; it’s about community.
The greenway connectivity will also benefit countless community members looking for safe and separated facilities for walking and biking. Notably, the shared use paths in the proposed development will fill critical gaps in the City of Harrisonburg’s Greenway network. The Paths will further connect and leverage the investments made for the Friendly City Trail and the Northend Greenway.
Support of the Proposed Quarry Heights Development in Harrisonburg
Therefore, we believe that the Support of the Proposed Quarry Heights Development in Harrisonburg will serve as a model for future projects.
We commend city staff for ensuring the project provides vital connections to the City of Harrisonburg’s existing greenway network, adjacent developments, and low-stress city streets. Our region faces a critical need for housing that integrates more seamlessly with transportation options that prioritize people, not just vehicles.
Land use is a vital aspect of successful active transportation planning that’s often overlooked. We can build the best trails and sidewalks, but without nearby destinations, these facilities may not result in more trips by biking, walking, and other human-scale vehicles. Quarry Heights thoughtfully incorporates land use updates with transportation needs, creating a cohesive community within reach of daily destinations. Integrating walkable, bikeable infrastructure like those proffered in Quarry Heights should be the default for all future developments in the City.
As advocates for the power of walking and biking to transform communities, we support the integrated greenway network in Quarry Heights because it allows residents to walk and bike to nearby destinations. We also recognize the importance of the proposed bike paths and trail connections to encourage safe, accessible routes that benefit Quarry Heights residents and the entire city by extending and enhancing our active transportation network.
Furthermore, Quarry Heights reinforces that biking and walking aren’t exclusive to a specific age or demographic or require special gear or athletic ability. Biking and walking are lifelong forms of transportation—accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive for all community members. As more people use these greenways, they will provide public access into and through a large private development, helping to ensure Quarry Heights is a welcoming location for a wide range of people. These people will pass through the development on their way to school, work, grocery stores, and other daily destinations.
While we wish the project included mixed-use pockets to incorporate commercial spaces into the development, we understand there is no such thing as a perfect project.
Quarry Heights offers a blueprint for the kind of sustainable, connected community that Harrisonburg can be proud of. This project provides much-needed housing and promotes active transportation and people-centered design. We urge the council to support Quarry Heights and join us in creating a city where all residents can walk and bike safely and comfortably, strengthening the bonds that make our community unique.
Respectfully,
Tilda Pendleton and Kyle Lawrence,
On behalf of The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition Board of Directors
