WINONA LAKE - A Winona Lake resident addressed concerns with a portion of the greenway trail along East Canal Street during Tuesday night's Winona Lake Town Council meeting.
The greenway is an eight-mile, multi-use trail for bicycling, walking, jogging, running and rollerblading that opened May 4.Jan Nelson, of 1012 Circle Court, said she is concerned with the safety of those who use the greenway along East Canal Street from Cerulean Restaurant down to Auditorium Boulevard.
Nelson said the 4-foot bike path is not wide enough for bikers and rollerbladers who use the path. They have to avoid vehicle traffic and other oncoming trail users along East Canal Street.
Nelson showed council members photos of the bicycle path during the meeting.
She said bicyclists with carts may have to swerve out into the traffic lane to avoid other oncoming bicyclists.
There is not a separate lane for bike traffic and pedestrians. She said the lane needs to be widened to accommodate those who use the greenway from both directions.
Council member Joy Lohse said she agrees the area is congested, but doesn't feel the area is unsafe for those who use it.
"I've looked at the area and walked along East Canal Street and agree space is tight, but I don't feel the lane is obstructive for those who use it," Lohse said.
Nelson said she has been in contact with Ray Irwin, INDOT director of greenways and bikeways, about the issue.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said he spoke with INDOT last week, who looked at the area along Canal Street, and said it is designated as a bike lane, not a greenway.
"People are always limited by the constraints of their environment, but in a free society it becomes an individual's responsibility to respect others," Town Attorney Jim Walmer said.
Councilman Rolly Ortega said the greenway is new and there is always room for changes, but said INDOT would have not awarded the town the grant for the greenway if they felt it wasn't safe.
"The greenway is a place for people to use, whether bicycling or walking, and was not set up as a highway, boulevard or thoroughfare," Ortega said.
Allebach said there will be limited bicycle traffic allowed on the greenway during events in the Village at Winona this summer.
Nelson requested to see original specifications for the greenway and the greenway grant application.
Allebach said he will give Nelson those items.
Lohse said there are still four commemorative art sculptures available for purchase that will be placed along the greenway. Winona Lake's Heritage Trail will feature artwork that interprets attributes of the heritage of Winona Lake.
The council approved the Winona Lake Art Commission proceeding with plans to place 10 benches and 10 sculptures along Winona Lake's portion of the greenway.
Joe Beeson, of 1306 Wooster Road, attended the meeting and said he had been building a personal tennis court at his residence and ran into an aging storm drain on his property while digging.
The council approved town engineer Larry Long to seek quotes for replacing the storm drain that is 60 to 70 years old.
The council also:
- Approved opening the town's garbage and recycling bids for three-year contracts from Allied Waste Service and Borden. The council will approve bids at its June 26 meeting.
- Approved an ordinance making Hamilton Boulevard south a one-way street, Lakeshore Drive west a one-way street, and Park Avenue beginning at Cherry Avenue south to Lakeshore Drive a one-way street east.
- Approved an invoice for CR 250E construction for $311,269.98. Allebach said a pre-construction meeting will be held and the construction is expected to occur in the next 30 to 60 days.
Upcoming events in the town include an Optimist Lake City Triathlon at Winona Lake Park June 23; Master Works Festival June 24 to July 21; Firecracker 5K race at Winona Lake Park, Winona Lake Great Fourth of July Celebration at Winona Lake Park, and fireworks at dusk over Winona Lake all on June 30.
