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The City of O’Fallon, Illinois has grown substantially over the past ten years. It is a prospering community that offers many attractive features to its residents, including appealing neighborhoods and subdivisions, shopping facilities, employment centers, and an increasing variety of recreational activities. Because the city’s population is diversifying, this study was initiated in April, 2004, by the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Works, to examine existing conditions relative to bicycle activity and to prepare a bicycle facilities plan that addresses both recreational and transportation needs in the city.
The City retained Trailnet, Inc., James Pona & Associates, and Southwestern Illinois RC&D to undertake the study. The effort was guided by the following individuals and departments: Mary Jeanne Hutchison, Director of Parks & Recreation; and Dennis Sullivan, Director of Engineering & Public Works. It was also assisted by Ted Shekell, AICP, Director of Planning; and Calvin Beckmann, Park Operations Specialist. The consultant team met on several occasions with members of this guidance team. It conducted extensive field reconnaissance and analysis of conditions on city streets and in existing parks, and examined the potential for new facilities along riparian and rail corridors. A public meeting was also held to solicit input from the community regarding the need for multipurpose trails and on-street bicycle facilities.
The results of the effort are presented in this Bicycle Facilities Plan, which identifies and prioritizes a series of trail and on-street and trail improvements to facilitate bicycle usage and to meet present and future needs. It is intended to result in new multipurpose trail and on-street bicycle facilities that will enhance the quality of life in the city and address the expressed needs of the community.
The consultants would like to thank the guidance team and members of the community who provided critical input to the plan.
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