Alder Nikki Conklin Announces Decision to Shift a Planned Bike Path from Sauk Creek Greenway to Existing Streets

District 9 Alder Nikki Conklin announces today that the next version of the draft West Area Plan will shift a north-south running “all ages and abilities” bike path to existing streets and out of the Sauk Creek Greenway.  

“We have heard from many area residents about their concern for the ecology and natural feel of the Sauk Creek Greenway, and their worry that a paved bike path would damage both,” said Alder Conklin. “I’ve worked with City Planning staff to express my support for moving the bike path out of the Sauk Creek Greenway, and to identify other places in the neighborhood to make the necessary bike path improvements.”

This week, City Planning staff will announce changes they propose to the draft plan as a result of public input. Shifting an “all ages and abilities” bike path out of the Greenway and onto existing streets will be one of the changes proposed. This will reduce the impact on the greenway while maintaining the City’s commitment to safe bicycle connections.

"I see the beauty and want to maintain the natural feel of the greenway for all of the surrounding communities to enjoy. I am advocating to relocate this bike path to streets so we can have both a natural area and a strong bike network,” said Alder Conklin. “At the same time, I fully support improving non-paved trails and access to this greenway to ensure the entire community can appreciate all it has to offer.” 

While the draft plan will remove the longer, north-south running bike path, the plan will still show a short east-west bicycle connection across the greenway to connect neighborhoods on the west side of the greenway to Walnut Grove Park on the east side. 

The Planning Division will announce this and other plan revisions this week, along with more community meetings to give input on this latest draft. 

“I want to thank those who have engaged in this process so far, and I encourage my constituents to continue respectfully engaging in this process as it moves forward,” said Alder Conklin.