- Make schools and bus stops more accessible for kids by foot and bike
- Make important Valley destinations more available by foot and bike including: shopping, medical facilities, professional & social services offices, and bus stops
- Allow the lake and national forest to be more accessible for residents and visitors
- Add to our in-Valley hiking and interpretive trail system, including a bike/walking trail that circles the lake
- Connect the Big Bear Valley with trail systems that lead to and from the Valley
It's obvious how a trail system can add to resident and visitor enjoyment. In addition, the active lifestyle that would result from a usable trail system would enhance its users' health. There is a state-wide push towards "healthy cities." This movement relies upon cities to utilize their planning capacity to encourage foot and bike traffic by: constructing trails and centralizing services, businesses, housing and recreational amenities. Other Valley agencies that might be included in a "healthy cities" program could include:
- Healthcare District
- School District
- Parks & Rec
- Lake District (MWD)
- Mountain Area Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA)
Comments or questions? Feel free to Blog below. Or take the survey to the right.
Michael
2 comments:
I think a trail system would be a nice addition to the valley. However, a heathly city starts with soild economic foundation and I believe we have other pressing needs to consider where funds would be better spent at this time. Things like cleaning up the our Blvd and providing our residents and visitors better shopping and a higer quality or standard of living. So many things I hear the council wants or would like to see are just outputs or results of a strong viable economy. You cannot create them on their own. Yet, I see no real plan to improve the overall economy of our valley. Does anyone else feel or see this?
Hello Anonymous,
I fully agree that BBLake and the Valley need a "solid economic foundation." And the City is working on that. We are upgrading the Village and Moonridge retail area by moving ahead with various design plans. We are offering matching grants and low-cost loans to businesses and land-owners throughout the City who want to upgrade their signs and fascades. This includes the businesses along Big Bear Blvd, which I fully concur need upgrading very badly.
While we're on the subject of the Blvd, we are also looking to add areas to our Improvement Agency (I-A) and specific plans (similar to Village and Moonridge Specific Plans). Parts or all of the Blvd. could be included in these specific plans making further I-A funds available.
The trail system, as well as other seemingly unrelated projects and amenities, are actually pieces in a large puzzle. All of these pieces will contribute to the economic vitality of the City. For example, a great trail system will attract more visitors to support any Village or Blvd. improvements. An attractive Blvd. and Village will keep the tourists coming back. Etc.
More thoughts about this?
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