Some sidewalks improve neither our town nor the environment
To the Editor:
I believe that Supervisor Peter Barber’s hope of making Guilderland a walkable community is a commendable goal. That said, however, it doesn’t seem that the goal is likely enhanced by putting in sidewalks between our busy and wonderful library and Hamilton Square.
Almost all of that traffic (and there is a lot of traffic there) consists of commuters and shoppers who are not going to be using sidewalks to get where they are going. There are not many residences in that area, and the people walking from Fairwoods would likely take the road opposite the YMCA to get to the library or Mercy Care.
Sidewalks are now, or soon will be, in place near many of our schools in more residential areas. I do appreciate making a walk to school possible in those locations.
However, even with stop lights/walk lights in place on Route 20 by Guilderland Elementary, I would guess not many children will be walking across that road at 7:45 a.m.?
Those lights on red will certainly further slow down morning commutes, which are not pleasant anyway. Just another reason to be unhappy and impatient driving through Guilderland.
Finally, I was enormously disappointed to see some large, beautiful trees cut down to put in a sidewalk that will not be doing anything to make that part of Guilderland a foot-traffic-friendly community. In that particular location, it seems to me, a sidewalk is a large investment of our tax dollars and is improving neither our town nor the environment.
Judy Slack
Altamont
Editor’s note: Judy Slack has been a member of the Guilderland School Board since 2008.
I agree that the new sidewalks will not add significant benefit for most residents, particularly adults. While I like the concept of a pedestrian friendly community, Guilderland is, in fact, car-dependent. However, the town should have considered the installation of a multi-use pathway where pedestrians and cyclists could benefit. As many of us cyclists know, riding on rt. 20 is a potentially life threatening experience and I don’t ride along the road for that reason. I will utilize the sidewalk and walk my bike when I encounter pedestrians. Unfortunately, it’s likely we will not see a multi-use path in Guilderland given the funds already expended to install the current walkways.