Do You Want Safer and Better Walking and Biking in Gillson?
Bike Walk Wilmette does, too
We support the Alternate Path
Help Us Convince the Park District
If you want better and safer walking and biking in Gillson, and don’t need to know more, go to change.org to sign our petition. If you want to know more, read on.
The Wilmette Park District is planning infrastructure improvements in Gillson Park. They propose a bike lane adjacent to the car lane in the existing roadway along Harbor Drive and a 5’ wide new pedestrian sidewalk next to the bike lane. They think that this is adequate and will solve the public’s long time demand for better biking and walking in Gillson.
Bike Walk Wilmette think there is a better, safer and more fun way to walk or ride through Gillson. We like the proposed alternate biking and walking path below for the following reasons:
- This path would be totally separate from the road, away from traffic. No more dodging cars or looking over your shoulder for cars coming up behind you. All the research shows that a completely separate path is far safer and much more comfortable for all walkers and riders of all ages and abilities.
- The alternate path offers better connection through the park. It flows into Middle Drive, which is currently a little-used walk and bike way and could wind around to end up at the beach house and the new bike and pedestrian path at the north end of the park. By contrast, the Park District’s proposed bike lane ends at Overlook Drive, forcing bikers to use the sidewalk along the lake or ride behind the row of parked cars. Neither is a good choice. The sidewalk is often crowded with people strolling or walking with their dogs to the dog beach. Mixing with pedestrians and dogs on leashes or riding behind a row of cars entering or exiting are potentially hazardous for bikers
- The alternate path would be at least 8’ wide and more aligned with how people walk in the park. People tend to walk in Gillson in groups of 2 or more or with dogs. The Park District’s 5’ proposed sidewalk is just too narrow to accommodate them safely, especially when passing others going in the opposite direction. Just as on a Village sidewalk, someone has to step to the side to let the others pass. In this case, they’d be stepping into the bike lane—dangerous! Bikers would then be forced into the car lane—also dangerous!
- The alternate path avoids the issue of cars and trucks parked in the bike lane, forcing bikers into the car lane and traffic. This happens frequently, especially in the summer when Sheridan Shore is active. Bikers will have to contend with sailors and campers being dropped off, fuel and catering trucks, and boat trailers. Even the Park District’s own photo above shows a car parked in the proposed bike lane.
- The alternate path does not remove any large, mature trees. The Park District’s proposal likely would, including several old oaks, maples, and hawthornes, as well as extensive newly installed landscaping near Sheridan Shore Yacht Club.
- The alternate path aligns well and in in character with the original historical design of Gillson, which included a path almost exactly in the same area as the alternate path.
The alternate path is the optimal choice and far superior to the non-protected bike land and narrow sidewalk that the Park Board wants. As one of our members says, the alternate path is a “no-brainer” for anyone who wants to walk or bicycle in Gillson. Feel free to check it out for yourself. We are sure that you will agree.
We need your voice to persuade the Park District that the alternate path is the way to go. We don’t need the sidewalk and the alternate path—that would be expensive and wasteful. Let’s do it right and the best we can from the start. Help us convince the Park District that the alternate path is better than their proposed sidewalk.
Your voice matters. Please sign the Bike Walk Wilmette petition on change.org. It’s easy and will really help. Beware: any financial donations you might be asked about will go to change.org and not Bike Walk Wilmette nor our cause.
Thank you for supporting better, safer, and more fun walking and biking in Gillson!
The members of
Bike Walk Wilmette
Bike Walk Wilmette 