- The email expresses concern over the declining pedestrian experience downtown, citing increased vacancies, unwelcoming merchant attitudes, and dangerous driving behavior that makes walking harrowing. It highlights the loss of pedestrian-friendly amenities and the departure of beloved establishments, impacting the community's ability to stroll, run errands, or enjoy social outings. The author notes some positive signs with new cafés and eateries near the train station but emphasizes that ongoing neglect by property owners threatens the area's vibrancy and pedestrian appeal.
- Residents emphasize the need to improve pedestrian infrastructure on Woodland Avenue and throughout Menlo Park, including adding sidewalks, widening walkways, and implementing traffic calming measures. They highlight the safety risks pedestrians face due to narrow roads, lack of continuous sidewalks, poor lighting, and heavy traffic, especially for children traveling to school. Many advocate for the application of Complete Streets principles and adherence to walkway standards (CG-1) to enhance walkability and safety.
- Community members support maintaining street closures on Santa Cruz Avenue to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety and avoid car-centric development. They request the city to leave pedestrian zones intact, eliminate obstructions like parklets that hinder walkability, and instead explore solutions that enhance human-scale activity, street aesthetics, and downtown vibrancy. Future plans should focus on creating an accessible, walkable downtown aligned with the city's transportation goals.
- Residents highlight hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on streets like Woodland Avenue, criticizing the lack of protected bike lanes, safety infrastructure, and proper resurfacing standards. They urge the city to incorporate safety standards and Complete Streets principles into road resurfacing projects to create safer environments for all users, especially vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.
- Community advocates propose a holistic approach to street improvements, including widening sidewalks, adding bike lanes, improving crosswalks, and traffic calming. They emphasize that street resurfacing projects should not only address surface quality but also prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety to support community health, safety, and walkability.
- Residents report frequent coyote sightings in West Menlo Park, especially near elementary schools and residential areas. They express concern over safety due to large wild animals wandering in neighborhoods, urging animal control and community awareness to manage and mitigate potential risks for pedestrians, children, and pets.
- The emails emphasize the importance of including pedestrian-friendly amenities such as full-size soccer fields with evening lighting to support youth activities and encourage walking or outdoor recreation. Concerns about construction potentially reducing parking and public spaces highlight the need to consider pedestrian access, as inadequate parking can hinder foot traffic and access to local businesses and community facilities like dance studios and stores.
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