Adding, improving city sidewalks necessary for students’ safety

Where do problems exist for pedestrians — particularly the community’s youngest pedestrians — in Ottawa? Those are issues a new survey recently mailed to USD 290 patrons in Ottawa city limits hopes to ascertain.

The “Communities in School” survey, which was jointly sponsored by USD 290 and the City of Ottawa, asks participants to evaluate the status of Ottawa’s sidewalks and to prioritize improvement areas. The simple checklist may not allow those most passionate about the lack of sidewalks to say their piece, but it is a start.

Respondents who may be walking to school, work or simply for exercise and recreational purposes can and should be candid with their opinions about the state of sidewalks — which, in many cases, is a complete lack of sidewalks.

The lack of sidewalks isn’t unknown to the school district or the city. Money to build the sidewalks, however, has been scarce. Organizers of the survey, led by CIS’s director Becky Nevergold, plan to use the information to work with the city’s planning commission to seek grants to help pay for construction of new and/or rehabilitation of aged and broken sidewalks.

The survey doesn’t offer respondents an easy method to communicate their priorities but that shouldn’t stop residents from doing so. Respondents should be specific about what needs to be done on sidewalks, crosswalks and driver behavior.

Priorities should be based on the number of people who potentially would benefit from the improvement as well as a reduction in unsafe conditions. Several areas that should be at the top of the list include two blocks between Ninth and 11th streets on Ash Street, the north and south sides of 15th Street between Main Street and Ottawa Retirement Village and places near Garfield Elementary School, 1213 S. College St.

The survey’s emphasis on schools where respondents live suggests an interest in students’ walking habits. But the topic is relevant to all residents.

Greater concern for fitness and prevention of obesity among people of all ages points to a greater need and desire for more sidewalks to provide walkers a safer path to get from point A to point B.

Adding and improving sidewalks obviously would make Ottawa a better place to live. Literally walking the walk and getting it done is an entirely different challenge. These surveys need to be the catalyst to make it happen.