 |
| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
One of the
many features that makes the City of Upland California unique is that they have
a real “downtown” neighborhood which is the very center of commerce for their
residents. The City has grown
successfully without loosing their neighborhood charm. The City center combines their library, fire
department, city hall and other businesses within walking distance from the
heart of the town on 2nd avenue.
The City recently partnered with SBCTA (San Bernardino County Transportation
Authority) to install a signal at the trail crossing of the Pacific Electric
Trail at Euclid for safety. Upland has a
rich history in the citrus industry and offers the Historical Cooper Museum
that tells the story of the early years.
Celebrating their downtown area with a
proposed new park is exactly what the city needs. Fortunately,
the 21-mile Pacific Electric Trail crosses right through the downtown area
where many frequently ride their bikes to Molly’s Souper for breakfast or
attend the Farmers Market behind the fire department on Saturday mornings. Mayor Debbie Stone and City Council approved
plans for adding a pocket park to the downtown area which is referred as the
Old Magnolia Plaza between 2nd and 3rd avenues adjacent
to Mitchell’s Plumbing this could be transformative.
The second parklet, “Sage Park” will be built to compliment the 78-unit
townhome development at the corner of Ninth and Bodenharmer streets and be
maintained by the developer and open to the public.
COVID-19 has forced all of us to examine alternate ways to exercise due to gyms closing. We need the health benefits from walking, running, or riding our bikes safely and what better place to social distance and have fun than walking or riding on the PE Trail? When municipalities and SBCTA work together and strategically invest in our communities, our residents’ benefit, and neighborhoods transform. All five cities: Montclair, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, and Rialto lease the Pacific Electric Trail right of way and improve and maintain the Trail for their residents and visitors in their cities. Improvements that bring communities together socially or provide a destination location for a bike ride or a walk, help us all stay physically and mentally healthy while having fun.
Personally, I
am thrilled at the idea of a new parklet in the downtown area of Upland and cannot
wait to see the comprehensive park plan and concept drawings soon. Possible shade trees, bike racks, picnic
tables, shade structures, BBQ’s, etc., are all inviting amenities that compliment
public space. The many eateries,
breweries, shops that would benefit from increased foot and bike traffic could
be a dream come true, just when America needs to invest the most. The
opportunities for partnerships might be just around the corner. It is important to note that when a business
converts one parking stall for a car into a mini-bike parklet that can
accommodate 10 bicycles, do the math, it is simple. One patron who arrived in a car VS 10 patrons
who arrive on a bike. Remembering to
include bike parking ensures that cyclists have a safe place to secure their
bikes while they dine or shop. Cyclists are loyal customers, spend money and
tend to tell their friends and families to join them or “Meet-up” at their
favorite eatery especially if there is a bike ride included.
What
eateries to you like to ride your bike to with friends, please comment below.
 |
| Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail |
Victoria Jones Friend of the Pacific Electric Trail
Like us on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment