Parts of a long-term, conceptual trails plan in Dolores received scrutiny Monday, Oct. 28, from Merritt Way residents, local businesses, and the Dolores Town Board.<\/p>\n
An idea to connect Riverside Park across the river and to Merritt Way via a footpath raised concerns of increased traffic, dust and illegal parking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe extra traffic and additional dust is a hazard for residents and a health issue for asthmatics in my family,\u201d said Tim Mueller. \u201cI feel if that part of the plan was implemented Merritt Way would need to be paved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Werner Kress agreed that public access to Riverside Park from that road would be hurt the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be more traffic, whether you have a parking lot or not or put up no-parking signs, people will go up and park on the street, or on private property, to access the path and the river,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mueller added the narrow road already sees cyclists and walkers, many of whom \u201cwalk down the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdding more because of new access to the park would be dangerous because of turns and blind spots,\u201d he said<\/p>\n
More people invariably brings more pets, pet waste and trash, said Bill Lucky, a Merritt Way resident.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you buy that land and put a bridge across, don\u2019t include our road because it will intensify the situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The board is considering adopting the wide-ranging trails plan as a general guideline for current and future boards to choose from, depending on available funding. Some felt it needed more discussion.<\/p>\n
Board member Ginger Black thought the idea to purchase land and build a bridge across the river to expand Riverside Park to be \u201cridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t care for shooting for the moon,\u201d said Black, who owns the Outpost Hotel. \u201cThere are so many other things that need attention in this town. We need sidewalks all over, and that can take years to put in.\u201d<\/p>\n
She questioned the impact that out-of-town hikers and bikers bring.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe past two years, not one mountain cyclist has stayed with me, and not one hiker has stayed with me. They don\u2019t bring money,\u201d she said. \u201cThe town trails are great for locals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merritt Way resident Bob Newcombe wondered why the town would adopt a plan that includes a proposal to expand Riverside Park before determining if the land is even available to buy.<\/p>\n
Board attorney Mike Green emphasized that the plan identifies local trail and pedestrian needs and also explores larger ideas, but it is not set in stone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy adopting it, you\u2019re not committing to anything,\u201d Green said. \u201cEach and every year, this plan will get reviewed and voted on and be part of the budget process. There will be plenty of opportunity to be involved anytime the town discusses spending money to do a component within the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dolores Mayor Val Truelsen suggested altering the plan to eliminate the footpath up to Merritt Way.<\/p>\n
Bumpouts debated<\/em><\/p>\n The plan explores the use of curb \u201cbumpouts\u201d at busy highway crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility and slow traffic. It also proposes a greenway buffer with a trail along the highway shoulder to connect the library with Riverside Park.<\/p>\n But concern was raised that the changes would limit parking along the road used by businesses and travelers.<\/p>\n In a comment letter, Tazewell Vass, owner of Dolores Food Market, objected to the proposed bumpouts and greenway buffer on the highway starting at 11th Street.<\/p>\n \u201cOur businesses are sensitive to accessible parking on Highway 145,\u201d Vass said. \u201cCamper trailers, stock trailers, motorhomes, boat trailers, ATV trailers all stop for food from businesses in Dolores. Semi-truck drivers tell me that Dolores is the first place they can park to get something to eat between Dolores and Durango.\u201d<\/p>\n Truelsen also did not like parts of the plan that limited parking in town.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of big rigs and cattleman pull over on the highway to shop at our businesses,\u201d he said. \u201cCombination of bumpouts and a highway buffer there would take out one-third of available parking.\u201d<\/p>\n Board Trustee Colette Heeney cautioned that bumpouts and buffers are appropriate in some areas and said the town needs improved pedestrian safety crossing the highway.<\/p>\n \u201cEventually someone is going to get hit because you can\u2019t see around the parked vehicles and the speeding cars can\u2019t see you,\u201d she said. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to be on every block but in some areas the bumpouts might be a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking into account public input, the board should consider developing a more specific timeline for trails, sidewalks, and pathways for the next two to three years, Truelsen said.<\/p>\n Clerk\/Treasurer Lana Hancock stressed that parks and trails are secondary to town maintenance.<\/p>\n The board decided to postpone consideration adoption of the plan until December to allow additional public comment. The public can view the recently completed comprehensive trails plan at Town Hall.<\/p>\n