Trail Ramblings: Hidden Segments, Have You Noticed?

No, I’m not talking about Strava segments. Unless you live in that particular area of the city, it’s easy to overlook segments of trail that arise with new developments. As the city updates infrastructure and expands sometimes we are the beneficiaries of new sections of trail. It’s cheaper to build them as we go than to try to retrofit them later. Sometimes though, as in the case of a trail along the south beltway, there still isn’t funding to make it happen.

As I was riding north out of the city recently, I decided to check out a couple of projects. First was the “orphan bridge” as I call it, a bridge with no trail, still waiting for one east of North Star High School near Salt Creek. Accessibility has been improved though, as it now has a mowed path taking you in a loop from it. The walking loop is bikeable, but only if you like riding through mown brome grass.

Next on my list was the newly completed Fletcher Trail from 27th to 14th Streets. No more having motorists squeeze by on a busy street. It has the added bonus of some attractive wetlands and a pond along the way.

Further up 14th St. I decided to finally check out the trail I’d remembered hearing about on Humphrey east of 14th St. just south of Alvo road. It’s a nice loop along a waterway and has an underpass pre-built waiting to open up the area on the other side of Alvo road when there’s development or a park there. It will all make active transportation for students walking and biking to nearby Kooser Elementary easier.

I have a co-worker who lives in Elkhorn who says neither she nor her school-age children can ride anywhere beyond a few blocks, much less to the neighborhood school or grocery, from their house. To do so is far too dangerous. She has to pay more than $100. each month for a bus to carry them home a distance which should be easily rideable for a child. An infrastructure failure? I would venture to say yes. In the large rideability gap between these two examples, I think strategies like bike buses can fill in some of the need. I hope to see more starting up this school year. All it takes is some willing parents and kids, and their bikes.

On the opposite side of Lincoln, I was riding recently down the newly widened 40th St. (there’s a sort of shoulder) south of Yankee Hill when I caught a glimpse of trail. I immediately did a U-turn and went to check it out. What cyclist wouldn’t? It turns out that project also pre-built the underpass for future trail development. it’s gratifying to see these improvements coming along as the city grows also updating established areas. Before too long the underpasses on and around Pine Lake at 63rd or so will be finally put to use when the Beal Slough trail goes in. As they link we create an alternative transportation and recreation system as part of the fabric of the city.