Madison Reporter

District 9 Alder Nikki Conklin has announced a decision to shift a planned bike path from the Sauk Creek Greenway to existing streets in the next version of the draft West Area Plan. Conklin explained, "We have heard from many area residents about their concern for the ecology and natural feel of the Sauk Creek Greenway, and their worry that a paved bike path would damage both."

Conklin further stated, "I see the beauty and want to maintain the natural feel of the greenway for all of the surrounding communities to enjoy. I am advocating to relocate this bike path to streets so we can have both a natural area and a strong bike network." The decision to move the bike path out of the Greenway aims to reduce the impact on the greenway while still upholding the City's commitment to safe bicycle connections.

While the north-south running bike path will be removed from the draft plan, a short east-west bicycle connection across the greenway will remain to connect neighborhoods on the west side of the greenway to Walnut Grove Park on the east side. The Planning Division is set to announce these revisions and more community meetings to gather input on the latest draft.

Alder Conklin expressed gratitude towards those who have been involved in the process so far and encouraged constituents to continue respectfully engaging as the process moves forward. Conklin emphasized, "At the same time, I fully support improving non-paved trails and access to this greenway to ensure the entire community can appreciate all it has to offer."