Pathway connecting Broadlands and Ashburn Farm?

It still is a BOS issue. They will have to agree to the increased funding to get the pathway built. If they vote against the additional allocation, it won't be built. I suggest anyone that wants to see this path built should be letting them know.

 

Cliff,

I think the last few posts have been about another pathway other than the one under the Greenway.

I agree with your comment that the Greenway path may still involve the BOS.

 

Yeah, this path would connect the east side path to the Claiborne/Broadlands light.

Which side is the Greenway/Ashburn Farm/Broadlands path planned to be on? The Ashburn Farm Path is also on the East side so it just makes sense to connect w/o having to cross Claiborne multiple times.

* -Existing Trail
X - Proposed Trail

...| | Ashburn Farm
...| | *
...| | *
-------------
------------- Greenway
...| |
...| |
*.| | |------------
*.| | | Saul Center
*.| | |------------
*.| |
------------------
------------------ Broadlands Blvd
*.| | X
*.| | X
*.| | X
*.| ----- Hunters Green
*.| -----
*.| | X
*.| | X
*.| | X
--- ------ Vestal's Gap
--- ------
*.| | *
*.| | *
*>| |< tunnel

 

There is also a path on the west side in Ashburn Farm after you go under the Greenway.

It would seem to me they would put the new path on the west side to have it link up to the existing west side path in Ashburn Farm.

 

That's the pathway that has always been in the plans .. nothing on the east side whatsoever, as there is no path on that side of Claiborne around the shopping center. I have no idea where Homer got that idea about an east side link.

As far as having to cross the street a few times, sheesh ... everyone can use some additional exercise.




Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Everything is on the east side, Saul Centers, Ashburn Farms shopping center. The path from Ashburn Farm is on the east side too. All the joggers in the AM, on North Bound Claiborne [in the road]. It just makes sense to put the path where the foot traffic is.

 

Neilz is correct, the new/pending path is on the west side and will connect AF and Broadlands, and will go under the greenway.

At the connection of new and old paths, on the AF side there is a tunnel that goes under Claiborne, from west to east.

 

As I said, when the path link was first discussed back in the late 90's, there was no shopping center there, at the corner of Broadlands & Claiborne.

And since that stretch of Claiborne is controlled by the Commercial Owners Associatino, not the HOA, unless they want to spend the funds to put in a path there, it's not going to happen.







Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

But it was in the proffers! Anyway, the real issues the the path that is needed from Vestals up to Broadlands. Exercise is great but the intersection is a deathtrap to pedestrians as it is.

Walking on the grass is an option but that whole area is mine field [dog poo] and the ground has little top soil so it hurts to walk on after a while.

 

I guess Demott will be the main entrance to Saul when Phase III is built but they sure did a nice job oon the corner with the sidewalks and fountain. It's a shame it's just not more 'finished'.

Everyone wants us to use less cars and walk more but the infrastructure does not exist b/c Developer get away with doing only as much as they need to.

 

Was it in the proffers ?? Where have you seen that ?? Inquiring minds want to know ??



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

The shopping center was in the proffers, not the sidewalk. Planners knew full well what was going in.

 

Looked into the path issue a little......the problem with the east side of Claiborne between Vestal's Gap and Broadlands Blvd are all the utility easements. In addition to the usual water, electric, etc. there's a gas line that runs along there and nothing can be built on it.
These easements are why this stretch wasn't landscaped heavier. If you walk over there, you can see the gas line marker.

 

Neil - the issue is not about excersise, it is about safety. During nice weather we often go up there with our 3 yr old in tow and do you think for a moment that I like dealing with the 4-way stop? Between the panic stricken "no-gos" and the aggressive "darn the torpedoes, full speed ahead", it can be a very dangerous intersection to have to cross TWICE (once to cross claiborne and then again to cross Broadlands.

I say find the money and build the dam path. Ask for doantions, demand it from the developer... do something!

I will gladly pay an extra buck!

 

Well ... as soon as the lights are on, you'll have pedestrian walk/don't walk lights too. And as far as the path, see Cliff's post above ... the gas line easement is the reason no path was put down.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Alas, I can live with that.

Guess I was composing my post when he posted his.

 

I wondered why that wasnt landscaped as much, thanks Cliff!

 

I noticed the funding for the pathway was on the Board of Supervisors agenda for their meeting this morning. I attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of Broadlands supporting the funding. It was approved 9-0.
Hopefully, it will be in by the end of the year or next spring at the latest.

 

Thanks for the good news and your efforts Cliff!

-Jim