Walk-able Glendale
As I walk the streets of Glendale (literally) talking to my neighbors during cold, dark evenings, I clearly have heard and felt what many have been saying.
Some may not know there is eruv encircling much of North Glendale allowing our Jewish community to carry during Sabbath. A good many in our district walk our streets on Friday nights and Saturday mornings to their places of worship. At night this can be a real risk, especially with cars speeding through our streets and through our stop signs.
Portions of Green Bay Avenue are a great example of where we needed more sidewalk. Partnering with other government entities (Green Bay is actually State highway 57) during planned reconstruction is a way of doing this. We have added crosswalks to Good Hope and Green Bay Road, extended the sidewalk that ended at Bernard to Good Hope, and there are plans to extend a trail North on Green Bay Road thereafter in 2027. We used a good portion of our American Rescue Plan funding to extend the sidewalk on Green Tree Rd. These all take planning, funding, and time, though with a vision we make it happen.
I feel there are solutions that do not require the addition of side walks everywhere which add to city and resident maintenance. Considerations such as upgraded lighting, car speed displays, and police patrols all can help. A quaint and quiet community feel does require limited lighting, though has to be balanced with safety. Well marked parking & bike lanes, can informally serve a dual purpose for pedestrians as well.
Walking builds community. I have met many (and their dogs) simply by crossing paths.