BOISE, Idaho — If you've been by the Whitewater Park neighborhood in west Boise recently, you've seen the rapid development of the area with a focus on walking, biking, surfing, swimming, and kayaking. Now, Ada County Highway District (ACHD) wants your feedback as they work to improve pedestrian safety in the area-- just in time for summer.
West End residents made their voices heard at the Boise open house for improvements to walk and bike paths. The feedback collected so far-- according to an ACHD spokersperson-- indicates residents would like to see added crosswalks.
"So far we've seen a lot of people come out and have a lot of interest in about crossing streets. There's a number of barriers throughout this neighborhood area that people are trying to get to parks, or trying to get to attractors, and they don't feel safe crossing the street. And so, initially, I'm seeing lots of requests for sidewalks, crosswalks or enhanced crossings," said Brooke Green, Senior Transportation Planner, ACHD.
With its cooling waters, and exhilarating views, it's understandable why Whitewater Park would be a hot summer attraction for folks from across the valley.
"There's a lot of people coming into the neighborhood, a lot of people coming to this side of town," said Benjamin Gault, West End resident.
But for people like Gault who live in the neighborhood, with all these added attractions, he says pedestrian safety improvements need to be made.
"Especially with the new park at Esther Simplot," said Gault. "There's a lot of foot traffic going across a busier road that didn't used to be there."
Nissa Nagel also came to ACHD's pedestrian improvements open house with concerns for children crossing streets.
"A primary concern for me would be State Street," said Nagel.
She said the street is in need of more crosswalks.
"If you're looking at pedestrians trying to get to and from the buses, and you have a lot of Boise High students using those buses for school, then it's not a very safe place to cross," said Nagel.
Gault echoed those concerns.
"State and Whitewater [Park Blvd.] would also be really important," said Gault.
Green says says this input will help them prioritize projects in the coming years.
If you missed the meeting, don't worry. You can still submit feedback here.
