09.01.A - Bike/Walking Path on West SIbley Street

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To: Pequot Lakes City Council From: Pequot Lakes Park Board The Park Board is asking the Council to expand the resurfacing of West Sibley Street in 2016 to include a bike/walking path of one side of the street. It could also be used as a snowmobile path in the winter. It is the sincere concern of the Park Board that, if this path is not included in the current project, it will be another 10 to 15 years before such a path is constructed. 1. The connectivity of Sibley Lake Park to the downtown of Pequot Lakes has been a point of conversation with the City Council for many years. 2. It is also listed as a mid-term goal under the Economic Development section: "Create a Park Plan for the Grow Zone and surrounding neighborhoods that leverages park investments to promote livability and encourage private sector investments." Co n , Ul3 P ei ry 3. In looking at the City's Plan (Adopted Deer 2, 2044), you will find consistent statements referring to providing safe pedestrian mobility throughout the city. 4. Sibley Street is the logical, practical choice for the bike/walking trail to Sibley Lake Park. It leads directly to the park where there has been a recent donation and installation of a new playground and where Sibley Lake Association is the recipient of a $22,000 grant from the DNR to remove dilapidated stairs and do major shoreline restoration to the park. It is now and will be definitely a destination for our community. 5. Safety is a real issue on Sibley Street. It is an area where people walk both to downtown and to the park. Many of these are senior citizens. The street is narrow and frequent speeding occurs. 6. The Park Board and the City are recipients of a grant from Crow Wing Energized that will provide, among other things, signs directing people to Sibley Lake Park from both the Paul Bunyan Trail and Highway 371. It is our responsibility to make sure everyone gets there safely.