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February 2002
Progress Made In Tail Design Meetings
by Dan Fraizer
n January 26,2002, the working group of citizens for and against the Highland Division Rafi Trail met for the final city-sponsored design meeting. Representatives of the Friends of the Highland Division Rail Trail, the Stop the Rail Trail Committee,and the Forest Parkand East Forest ParkCivic Associations and the LaBroad Neighborhood Council met regularly with city planners during the past year to review trail designs presented by architects and engineers from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. The initial design phase of this project was commissioned by the city of Springfield and directed bythe citys Planning Department. During these meetings, a full range of participants, including trail neighbors, Springfield Community Police, the Department of Public Works, and the Parks Department were involved in rpaking suggestior~s..re~ated to the trails design.
Many thanks to the people who committed their time, energy and ideas during the last year, especially Linda Petrella, Director of Planning for the City of Springfield, Dave Chappell and Bill Paley from Greenman-Pedersen, Sheila McElwayne from the Forest Park Civic Association, Bill Caplin from the LaBroad Neighborhood Council,andthe many hardworking Friends of the Highland Division RailTrail,especially Michelle Ryan, Ed Marrone, Brian Conz,Tina Manos,and Peter Munk. Thanks also to Mel Pitosky from the Springfield Police Department, Georgeann Hayman from the Department of Public Works, and Barry Kepard from the Planning Department.
Design discussions covered a wide range of topics, including fence and vegetative screening options and access points. Especially important were designs for crossing Sumner Avenue and negotiating the busy Allen Street/Island Pond Road intersection. The designers conducted traffic counts at both
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beautiful pedestrian crossings than those that cu rrently exist. These proposals include improved pedestrian walk signals, design features to slow bicycles before they reach car traffic, and park-like entrances, especially in the vicinity of the Allen Street/Island Pond Road intersection near the old Sims Drugstore. Traffic Lights will be repositioned to heighten visibility while maintaining a traffic flow that will not frustrate motorists.
The designers will soon be submitting their proposal to the city of Springfield and MassHighway for review and approval. Once the design is approved, an official public hearing will be held before the next step, acquisition of the property,can begin.
It will be EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to showyour support forthe Highland Di-
by Dan Fraizer
On January26,2002,the working group of citizens for and against the Highland Division Rail Trail met for the final city-sponsored design meeting. Representatives of the Friends of the Highland Division Rail Trail, the Stop the Rail Trail Committee, and the Forest Park and East Forest Park Civic Associations and the LaBroad Neighborhood Council met regularly with city planners during the past year to review trail designs presented by architects and engineers from Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. The initial design phase of this project was commissioned by the city of Springfield and directed by the citys Planning Department. During these meetings, a full range of participants, including trail neighbors, Springfield Community Police, the Department of Public Works, and the Parks Department were involved in making suggestions related to the trails design.
Many thanks to the people who committed their time, energy and ideas during the last year, especially Linda Petrella, Director of Planning for the City of Springfield, Dave Chappell and Bill Paley from Greenman-Pedersen, Sheila McElwayne from the Forest Park Civic Association, Bill Caplin from the LaBroad Neighborhood Council, and the many hardworking Friends of the Highland Division Railtrail, especially Michelle Ryan, Ed Marrone, Brian Conz, Tina Manos, and Peter Munk. Thanks also to Mel Pitosky from the Springfield Police Department, Georgeann Hoyman from the Department of Public Works, and Barry Kepard from the Planning Department.
Design discussions covered a wide range of topics, including fence and vegetative screening options and access points. Especially important were designs for crossing Sumner Avenue and negotiating the busy Allen Street Island Pond Road intersection. The designers conducted traffic counts at both locations and worked with citizens to design safer and more beautiful pedestrian crossings than those that currently exist. These proposals include improved pedestrian walk signals, design features to slow bicycles before they reach car traffic, and park-like entrances, especially in the vicinity of the Allen Street/Island Pond Road intersection near the old Sims Drugstore. Traffic Lights will be repositioned to heighten visibility while maintaining a traffic flow that will not frustrate motorists.
The designers will soon be submitting their proposal to the city of Springfield and Mass Highway for review and approval. Once the design is approved, an official public hearing will be held before the next step, acquisition of the property, can begin.
It will be EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to show your support for the Highland Division Railtrail at that time. We estimate this meeting will take place in early Fall 2002. Please look for our announcement and plan to make your voice heard!
Click on drawing for oversized image!
The proposed changes to the intersection of Allen, Daviston and Island Pond Road include the moving of the traffic light to a more visible location, and the beautification of the area around the former Sims Drug Store.
Simply fill in the form and send it to us at the address indicated, or call Dan Fraizer or Susan Joel at 827-0852 for more information on how you can help!
Please send coupon to:
Friends of the Highland Division Rail TrailPlease make check payable to:
Friends of the Highland Division Rail Trail
Enclosed is my membership fee:
( ) $10 Senior 65+/Junior under 18
( ) $15 Single
( ) $20 Family
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Springfield Planning Department Rep -Linda Petrella
On October 25 and 26 of 2001, MassHighway held their second annual Bike-Ped Conference. Over 50 individuals from across the state were in attendance. At the conference, MassHighway Commissioner Matthew J. Amorello launched an exciting new initiative, announcing plans for MassHighwayto build trails, greeriways and other bike and pedestrian facilities in a broad fashion all over the state. Their goal is to have these sorts of facilities so prevalent that they will be within 15 minutes of every citizen in the state.
A December 13, 2001 Associated Press article reported in the New York Times warns of the rising number of U.S. deaths resulting from obesity. Some 300,000 Americans die yearly from illnesses caused or worsened by obesity,s ays Dr. David Satcher, the U.S.Surgeon General. About 60 percentof adults are overweight or obese, as are about 13 percent of children, and this toll of obesity is rising. Dr. Satchers recommendations to help combat this severe problem included the suggestion that communities must create safe playgrounds, sidewalks and walking trails, particularly in cities. In addition, schools should provide more healthful food options and daily physical education for every grade.
Copied on February 27, 2002 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>
from the HDRT newsletter.
Unintentional errors are likely!
