A plan to add a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along Denmark Road is still alive…even though some residents voiced concerns about it Tuesday evening. Martha Reed was one of those who spoke out during a Danville City Council committee meeting.
‘’It is not conducive for bike riding. Coming up that hill every bike I’ve ever seen – which aren’t that many – that’s why I’m a little reluctant to agree to spend thousands of dollars – or actually maybe over a million, to put in a project for something I really don’t think is going to be used,’’ said Reed.
Vincent Koers also wonders whether the city should proceed with efforts to build the new pathway.
‘’There seems to be an element from the old movie…baseball movie: build a field and people will come. Maybe that’s part of what’s going on with the development that’s being proposed of bicycling up to the north end,’’ said Koers. He also questioned whether there are eventual plans to link the Kickapoo Rail Trail to Kennekuk County Park.
The Public Works Committee was split…..3 to 3….on whether to seek $2-million dollars in state grant monies for the project. If it is eventually built, plans call for placing it along the south side of Denmark Road. It would be adjacent to the present Dallas Bowman Bridge which crosses Lake Vermilion. And fishing would be allowed from the new walkway. It is presently not allowed from the bridge.
The full Danville City Council must still decide whether it will try to get the grant funds necessary for the project.
Meanwhile the committee is backing a plan to bank some CSX railroad property west of Danville. City leaders want to use it to help attract users of the Kickapoo Rail Trail into Danville.
