What a great group turned out yesterday evening for our initial Safe Trails Initiative meeting. Thanks so much for taking time to be there.
There were members from Omaha Pedalers, Bellevue Bicycle Club, the Westie’s and GOATZ, commuters and BRAN members. Please continue to let people know about our new Safe Trails Initiative and that we are open to all legitimate trail users.
As a recap, we looked at the history of what has happened (more trails) and not happened (signs for safety). Towards the end of the meeting we all mentioned what concerned us each individually the most about trail safety.
Here is a list of what we heard: (and you were heard)
Signs identifying underpasses for safety
Signs for wayfinding
Connectivity particularly the West Papio in Millard
Trail conditions and maintenance
Speeding cyclists on the trail
Trail counts for how many people use the trail system. (A lot)
If I missed something, let me know…….
We will have another meeting next month and Vanessa has snagged Lt. Mike Davis, SW Precinct of the OPD Bike Patrol to speak. I also will try to find someone from Omaha Parks to come and listen to our concerns plus what we’d like to see in the very near future and how we might help accomplish that. I was thinking about ‘Bike Route’ signs in Millard where it is difficult to tell where the trail goes. Also areas that need connectivity such as Giles Rd, where the sidewalk ends before Portal Rd and the parking lot for the West Papio Trail forcing cyclists or runners to run on the shoulder or through lumpy grass.
One thing this group will not be is just another group coming together just to list our complaints. (We do have them!!) Our goal is to have action plans where we actually see and participate in action moving forward, or find the people to help us do that.
Today we can contact the Omaha City Council members on the Parks Committee and let them know our concerns.
Danny Begley: danny.begley@cityofomaha.org
Brinker Harding: brinker.harding@cityofomaha.org
Don Rowe: Don.Rowe@cityofomaha.org
Thank you again for showing up! If you’d like to be involved in planning meetings, please let me, Nancy, Jeff, Vanessa or Lee know.
Cindy Tefft
402-669-0809
Photo by Jeff Quandt: Heartland Marathon 2024 finish line