City gets public input on bike and pedestrian plan

The city of Idaho Falls released its draft Connecting Our Community plan Dec. 1.

The Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Division has been working to involve the community since October. The plan highlights desired improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle trails and paths in the greater Idaho Falls area.

Parks and Recreation director Greg A. Weitzel said more than 1,500 residents contributed to the planning effort and have overwhelmingly identified major points of interest.

“What we heard from these residents is that they want to have a more bicycle-friendly community,” said Weitzel. “They want to be able to ride with their families from one end of the city to the other and they also want to be able to connect from Ucon to Ammon and Iona. For the communities that surround the Idaho Falls, they want to be able to ride into the city, as well.”

Weitzel said residents identified increased connections to the greenbelt, the creation of safe routes to schools and new and improved trails overall and along canals as the top three priorities for the community plan.

Out of the 1,115 people that responded to the survey:

– 73 percent of respondents were 50 years or older.

– 68 percent of respondents walk the trails at least once a week.

– 47 percent of respondents ride a bicycle several times a month or more.

– 80 percent of respondents walk for exercise or fitness.

The city says citizen feedback will contribute to making key strategic improvements to the city’s on- and off-street trail and greenbelt network. Parks and Rec will continue to work with City Council and the public through open-house workshops and special meetings to continue planning efforts.

Parks and Rec is encouraging residents to download the COC plan at www.connectidahofalls.com to find out more about the plans to connect communities in the Idaho Falls area through greenbelt, bike way, and pedestrian facility improvements.