10-01-2018 Council Work Session Packet

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Ashley Swenson 1186 Durango Point Lino Lakes, MN 55038 September 25, 2018 To Whom it May Concern: We recently moved into the area and we love Lino Lakes! This is a wonderful area with so much to offer including so many wonderful parks and trails. We live in Trapper’s Crossing off of Holly. There are 2 parks near our house-Birch and Brandywood Park- but as a family, we cannot visit either safely without a car because my young son is in a wheelchair. Birch Park has 25 stairs making it completely inaccessible. The path to Brandywood Park is incomplete for .1 mile- a very short, but dangerous section of road. In this section, the path ends abruptly and spits out onto 12th Avenue where there is little to no shoulder. When our family rides their bikes, our young children have to ride on the road. Cars zip by very fast and it is very dangerous. The speed limit on that road is 45 mph. I have spoken with several other neighbors that share this same concern for safety on that section of incomplete path on 12th Ave. Many residents walk their dogs, ride bikes, run or go on family walks in our neighborhood. The shoulder on 12th Ave is very narrow and the speed limit is so fast. So many residents and families use this trail. If that .1 mile section is completed, that path links with the Rice Creek Chain of which would make that whole Rice Creek Reserve accessible to our neighborhood as well as surrounding neighborhoods. Bonnie Moore, a resident in Trapper’s Crossing of 19 years, said “I walk my dogs nearly every day along 12th Avenue and have had to stand in the ditch to allow cars to pass that don’t wait for oncoming cars to pass. There are always a few who think it’s funny to come right at me and veer off at the end. This is not possible to maneuver if I had a stroller or bicycle or kiddos with me… If I’m walking against traffic then it is difficult to see cars that are turning into the lane because the ditch is deep and the weeds are tall. Drivers are not looking for pedestrians to be around the corner. Continuous accessible paths for the many pedestrians is imperative for our development before an accident or worse happens.” Heather Hoecke said “12th Avenue has always been a dangerous place for kids to ride their bikes from Peregrine Circle to White Oak Road. The path is incomplete between the two roads. Cars continually speed down 12th Avenue, which has a 45 mph speed limit to start with, especially young drivers. Cars drag race. Drivers are distracted while driving. And our children are expected to share the road with these drivers. Our children should be given a safe alternative in the form of a completed bike path along 12th Avenue.” Liz and Mike Kaufenburg said “My husband and I moved to Lino Lakes 4 years ago. One of the things that drew us here is the extensive parks and trails network. We frequently bike, walk, and run through the neighborhoods of Trapper’s Crossing, 12th Avenue and Birch Park. We have never felt as comfortable along 12th Ave along the section with no path. And since having our daughter, 18 months ago, I won’t use 12th Avenue during rush hour due to how dangerous it is with the lack of trail and traffic. This is especially difficult as we work full time so our opportunity to get outside is somewhat limited. In addition, we have greatly enjoyed Birch Park, but find it difficult to use with a stroller due to the steps.” On any given summer night, particularly on the weekends, there will be a couple dozen people that traverse the road on 12th Ave. which often results in dangerous interactions between cars, joggers, children, and bikers. The neighborhoods in this area are completely disconnected and the walkability is greatly limited. As residents in this area of Lino Lakes, we would love to see the path completed on 12th Avenue because it would not only open up Brandywood Park, but the entire Rice Creek Chain of Lakes to bikes, strollers, runners, wheelchairs, couples and families that want to SAFELY use the trails to run or walk their dogs. Thank you, Ashley Swenson