Neighborhoods Have Sidewalks, Not Multi-Use Paths

Like with all residential streets in Lakewood, Bunts Rd. residents enjoy their neighborhood. People walk to each other's homes to visit. We push infants in strollers, take toddlers for walks so they can learn about their neighborhood. Those toddlers learn to ride tricycles, then bikes with training wheels, and finally 2 wheel bikes. Kids run to a friend's house to play. Residents walk their dogs. Residents go for daily walks. While walking we often stop to talk to neighbors working in their yards. As 47-year residents of Bunts we have watched a couple of generations experience these activities.
 
The city is currently finalizing plans for a major street renovation. The existing storm sewers and watermains are being replaced. In addition to these necessary upgrades, the city has decided to add a 10 foot wide multi-use path on the west side of the street. That path will replace the existing sidewalk and take up an additional 5 feet of the existing tree lawn. Removing that 5 feet of tree lawn will result in the removal of nearly every single tree on the west side. Lakewood's tree canopy will be adversely affected.
 
Our neighborhood will have an unnecessary 10 foot wide heat inducing nuisance rather than our friendly residential feel. That "multi-use" path will negatively impact all the activities outlined above.

Safely entering and exiting our driveways will become more difficult. Not only will residents continue to look for 2- way traffic on the street, they will need to be concerned with 2-way traffic on the path. 
 
Common sense and reason indicate that the proposed path should not be built.
 
John and Debbie Rustad are 47 year Lakewood residents.