Reaction to Ponderosa trail mixed

The city of Spokane Valley wants feedback regarding the proposed community pathway along 44th Avenue and on Friday sent out more than 1,000 surveys to Ponderosa residents.

The pathway would be a 10-foot-wide asphalt path more than a mile long from Sands to Woodruff roads on the north side of 44th. The multiuse design provides access for bikers, runners, skateboarders and walkers.

“The proposed pathway is part of our comprehensive plan,” said Council Member Michael DeVleming. “We want to be a community that is more connected with bike paths, sidewalks and trails.”

The city decided to get more citizen input following a Feb. 28 open house at Ponderosa Elementary School at which many residents said they opposed the project because of concerns over water drainage, safety and doubts about the general need for the pathway.

“We want additional input from the community,” said Carolbelle Branch, the city’s public information officer. “We are asking to have the surveys returned by April 13.”

Another community meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 26, offers Ponderosa residents another chance to provide input. During the meeting, city staff plans to present design solutions addressing concerns previously expressed by residents.

“If the community wants the pathway, we want it to work for them,” Branch said.

Updates to the City Council will include findings from the survey and community meeting.

“The council will be asked to give us direction on the project,” said Branch. “The surveys will be provided as information to the council to help them in their decision.”

If the council’s consensus is positive, the city by early May will apply for a Federal Highway Administration grant to pay for the construction, which is tentatively set for 2008.

Public reaction to the proposed pathway is mixed. While many residents who live along 44th Avenue voiced concerns, other residents said they look forward to a safer place to walk.

“We try and walk three to four miles every night,” said Ponderosa resident Alan Bisson. “It’s difficult to walk along 44th right now. We would travel more on 44th if the pathway was there.”

“I run a 3.5-mile loop three times a week and the jog down 44th is horrible,” said longtime resident Sasha Deyarmin. “Every time a car passes I have to push my baby jogger into mounds of brush and wind my dog’s leash so he doesn’t get hit. I think a pathway would be a great addition to the community.”

Opposition includes questions about the rationale for the pathway. According to public comments sent to the city, Ponderosa resident Paul Allison believes a trail already exists and the proposed pathway is a waste of tax money.

“Right now the kids going to school don’t even have a safe place to walk down 44th because there isn’t a sidewalk,” said DeVleming. “From my perspective I thought this would help that situation.”

In 2005, the Public Works Department identified 44th Avenue as having pedestrian-safety issues.

“Kids ride their bikes in the middle of the road,” said Karin Miller, who resides west of Woodruff on 44th. “Kids will be kids; they don’t always pay attention. If only one child is saved from injury by creating a pathway, then it’s worth it.”

Central Valley Public Information Officer, Melanie Rose, said the project would provide more safety for students traveling to and from school.

“We appreciate anything that promotes the safety for our students,” said Gerry Olson, Ponderosa Elementary School principal.