Rice and Melchizedek both work for the Natural Resources Division of Redwood Community Action Agency. They were asked to help Public Works create a program that will allow groups in individual communities and neighborhoods to propose projects, such as trails, sidewalks, paving and so forth, that will make it safer and easier for pedestrians, bike riders and car drivers to get around.
As an example, they presented before and after pictures of the highway through the town of Willow Creek. Residents of that town got together and did all the preliminary studies and designs with the help of their community services district to convert what was an unattractive four lane highway through the center of their town to a nicely landscaped, two lane highway with bike lanes and a central turning lane. In that case, Caltrans liked the idea so well that they did the work.
Rice and Melchizedek told the SHWT audience that if they were willing to do similar preliminary work for a project on or near a county road right of way, chances were good that County Roads might do the work, too, if they can find the funds. Currently, they don’t have that much money, she said, but having a list of smaller, achievable projects “on the shelf” will make it easier for them to seek funding that may make smaller projects viable.
Some ideas presented by the group included redesigning parking in Garberville, walking paths between Redway and Garberville, a small van bus between Redway and Garberville, a trail from Whitethorn Junction to Whitethorn School, a trail through Richardson Grove, a trail from Benbow to the Community Park and from there to Garberville, improving access to the ball fields in Redway and improving the side streets in Redway to make them more walkable and bikeable.
The idea that got the most support is a trail from the Community Park to Garberville. That portion of Sprowel Creek Road is considered dangerous for both bikers and hikers. Members of SHWT indicated their willingness to get to work on a plan.
Rice said the call for ideas is open to anyone, but that it will take a group that includes a lot of people and can demonstrate a lot of community support to make the cut. And, whether or not that project happens will depend on future funding. She said also that the funding that has supported the project she and Melchizedek are doing will run out in February.
Rice and Melchizedek also urged everyone to attend the Mobility Management Summit, set to take place at the Eureka Women’s Club in Eureka on Thursday, November 5. This all-day forum will take place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will include speakers on various transportation issues.
Font Resize
