Community Voice

1. We have a government Grant to improve Western Springs.

   We have a grant that can potentially pay 70% of an improvement for our village. Sidewalks are an issue, and now we have an opportunity to have the government and perhaps state pay the majority of a...
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   We have a grant that can potentially pay 70% of an improvement for our village. Sidewalks are an issue, and now we have an opportunity to have the government and perhaps state pay the majority of a path that allows pedestrians and bikers a safe and direct path to major streets and other bike paths. If we do not act on this now, we may regret not making the improvement with minimal, and perhaps no local tax dollars spent. This path does not impose or hinder on anyone's property because it is west of the creek. We should evaluate the cost and work with IDOT in perhaps paying for the remaining 30% of the path with the upcoming expansion. This can potentially be a great improvement at absolutely no cost, why should we shoot it down in it's infancy? Please, let's determine our options here and take advantage of both the grant and the tollway expansion.

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   Feb 26, 2019 by Tom Papadopoulos (48 points)

   4Votes Up 4Votes Down 1Comments

   We have a grant that can potentially pay 70% of an improvement for our village. Sidewalks are an issue, and now we have an opportunity to have the government and perhaps state pay the majority of a path that allows pedestrians and bikers a safe and direct path to major streets and other bike paths. If we do not act on this now, we may regret not making the improvement with minimal, and perhaps no local tax dollars spent. This path does not impose or hinder on anyone's property because it is west of the creek. We should evaluate the cost and work with IDOT in perhaps paying for the remaining 30% of the path with the upcoming expansion. This can potentially be a great improvement at absolutely no cost, why should we shoot it down in it's infancy? Please, let's determine our options here and take advantage of both the grant and the tollway expansion.

2. Proposed Phase 1 (Plainfield to 55th);

   I am not filling you in on a great idea, merely two questions. However, My 'great idea' would be to use our tax dollars elsewhere and not continue to spend our time and money discussing a Bike Path...
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   I am not filling you in on a great idea, merely two questions. However, My 'great idea' would be to use our tax dollars elsewhere and not continue to spend our time and money discussing a Bike Path that virtually no one whose homes are impacted wants to see move forward. I do not want to discount the two 'pro' votes at last meeting of 100+ residents 'against' That said, Question 1 - where is proposed terminus on north end of 55th? Will you have actual information tonight? Question 2 - when is your Proposed Phase 2 to begin?

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   Feb 25, 2019 by Charles Herbst (88 points)

   8Votes Up 2Votes Down 0Comments

   I am not filling you in on a great idea, merely two questions. However, My 'great idea' would be to use our tax dollars elsewhere and not continue to spend our time and money discussing a Bike Path that virtually no one whose homes are impacted wants to see move forward. I do not want to discount the two 'pro' votes at last meeting of 100+ residents 'against' That said, Question 1 - where is proposed terminus on north end of 55th? Will you have actual information tonight? Question 2 - when is your Proposed Phase 2 to begin?

3. Flagg Creek Greenway

   I oppose this plan as it is poorly conceived for many reasons including location, safety , property values, and poor use of tax money

   Feb 26, 2019 by Robert Dorsey (54 points)

   4Votes Up 1Votes Down 1Comments

   I oppose this plan as it is poorly conceived for many reasons including location, safety , property values, and poor use of tax money

4. This bike path should not be a priority right now. Instead, we need complete sidewalks and improved street lights in the Forest Hills neighborhood.

   Before we pursue a bike path that will connect to other communities, let's first focus on making our community safer. Forest Hills' lacks connecting sidewalks and needs improved street lights....
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   Before we pursue a bike path that will connect to other communities, let's first focus on making our community safer. Forest Hills' lacks connecting sidewalks and needs improved street lights. Pedestrians and wheelchair bound residents are often forced to walk in the street due to the incomplete sidewalk grid. This is unsafe, and should be a top priority. The lack of adequate street lighting is also a safety issue that needs to be addressed. Thanks for making our safety a priority!

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   Feb 25, 2019 by Raleigh Decker (71 points)

   6Votes Up 0Votes Down 0Comments

   Before we pursue a bike path that will connect to other communities, let's first focus on making our community safer. Forest Hills' lacks connecting sidewalks and needs improved street lights. Pedestrians and wheelchair bound residents are often forced to walk in the street due to the incomplete sidewalk grid. This is unsafe, and should be a top priority. The lack of adequate street lighting is also a safety issue that needs to be addressed. Thanks for making our safety a priority!

5. If the purpose of the bike path is to decrease our carbon footprint, start by focusing on walking.

   We need sidewalks in Forest Hills and this should be a priority before any consideration of a bike path. Every tax paying resident should be able to walk throughout the neighborhoods, on every street...
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   We need sidewalks in Forest Hills and this should be a priority before any consideration of a bike path. Every tax paying resident should be able to walk throughout the neighborhoods, on every street. Many sidewalks are uneven and in need of repair as well. In addition, our village has seen unprecedented crime in the last few years. The ideas of "cameras" to monitor a bike path seems theoretical. If we don't have enough police force to monitor the village as is, how will they manage this additional area and respond? I am concerned that the Oasis could be a point of entry into our neighborhoods for theft (via a back bike path) and then an easy exit as well. From the meeting it sounds that there is a definite cost to the Village(30%) to build a path. That doesn't account for future dollars to maintain and police such a path. If that money is available, use it for lighting, sidewalks, safety! A bike path could be done simply by putting markers for a bike lane down one of our streets.

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   Feb 26, 2019 by Jennifer Cunningham (47 points)

   3Votes Up 0Votes Down 0Comments

   We need sidewalks in Forest Hills and this should be a priority before any consideration of a bike path. Every tax paying resident should be able to walk throughout the neighborhoods, on every street. Many sidewalks are uneven and in need of repair as well. In addition, our village has seen unprecedented crime in the last few years. The ideas of "cameras" to monitor a bike path seems theoretical. If we don't have enough police force to monitor the village as is, how will they manage this additional area and respond? I am concerned that the Oasis could be a point of entry into our neighborhoods for theft (via a back bike path) and then an easy exit as well. From the meeting it sounds that there is a definite cost to the Village(30%) to build a path. That doesn't account for future dollars to maintain and police such a path. If that money is available, use it for lighting, sidewalks, safety! A bike path could be done simply by putting markers for a bike lane down one of our streets.

6. I support the path

   I love the idea for a bike path that will eventually connect Centennial Trail areas (South) to Salt Creek and Prairie Path (North). I am an avid cyclist, but I stay off roads since I have been hit by...
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   I love the idea for a bike path that will eventually connect Centennial Trail areas (South) to Salt Creek and Prairie Path (North). I am an avid cyclist, but I stay off roads since I have been hit by cars twice. When I ride, I either need to rack my bike to Bemis Woods or Palos or Centennial Trail. Residents need information about comparable property values along Salt Creek Trail and the Prairie Path and maybe resident surveys of those property owners and see if they are happy they live there. Also, maybe just scan property adds that mention Prairie Path or Salt Creek Trail. If they mention it in an add, it is likely adding value to the property. I would love to have the trail next to my home. Let's let the village staff and committees present a plan and see if it is workable.

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   Mar 18, 2019 by Tony O (14 points)

   0Votes Up 0Votes Down 0Comments

   I love the idea for a bike path that will eventually connect Centennial Trail areas (South) to Salt Creek and Prairie Path (North). I am an avid cyclist, but I stay off roads since I have been hit by cars twice. When I ride, I either need to rack my bike to Bemis Woods or Palos or Centennial Trail. Residents need information about comparable property values along Salt Creek Trail and the Prairie Path and maybe resident surveys of those property owners and see if they are happy they live there. Also, maybe just scan property adds that mention Prairie Path or Salt Creek Trail. If they mention it in an add, it is likely adding value to the property. I would love to have the trail next to my home. Let's let the village staff and committees present a plan and see if it is workable.

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