My wife and I enjoy walking through the neighborhood, something we’ve done for many years and something we’ve renewed with increasing vigor recently.
On a walk the other day through our southwest Amarillo ‘hood, I noticed the “Bike Trail” sign just as I watched a guy on a bicycle turn the corner and peddle his way along the trail.
The thought then occurred to me: Where does the trail go?
Then I remembered. The city has started a comprehensive bicycle and walking network, but hasn’t finished it.
I spoke with the city parks and recreation director, Rod Tweet, a few months ago for a story I wrote for NewsChannel 10.com. The story dealt with the hike-and-bike network that I knew the city had started.
He couldn’t get too specific in answering questions about when the project would be completed. My sense at the time was that the city had a lot of other projects that greater priorities than the hike/bike network.
Hmmm, I thought. Oh yeah. The city hasĀ that downtown thing going on. I hope they get around to completing the network.
Tweet explained that the goal is to connect all the neighborhoods covering more than 110 square miles with trails that people can travel on their bicycles or on foot. I don’t believe the intent is to enable someone to walk from, say, the Colonies to Lakeside Drive. But I guess they could if they wanted to do so … eventually.
The city fathers and mothers have talked for longer than I can remember about enhancing the quality of life for residents.
I continue to believe that a comprehensive citywide network of hiking and biking trails does precisely that for Amarillo.
The Parks and Rec Department did a good job fixing up the oldĀ railroad right of way along Plains Boulevard. I see people using it all the time — as IĀ zip by in my automobile.
There’s more to do. My hope is that the city gets moving soon on finishing a worthwhile project.