Closing the Loop: Protecting the Green Lake Outer Path
In the Before Times, when bikes were allowed along Green Lake’s inner path, it was a challenge for various-speed bikers, joggers, walkers, dogs, and strollers to share the space. Today, with bicycles banned inside the park to enable distanced walking, bikers are forced to use the outer loop, which is shared with busy traffic in several spaces – creating dangerous conditions.
In September of 2019, a University of Washington student was struck and severely injured when a car jumped the curb near Aurora Avenue and 67th St.
Green Lake & Wallingford Safe Streets, a volunteer organization, says its plan to create a protected loop around the park would prevent accidents like this. It proposes a jersey barrier, as shown in the above illustration, along Aurora Ave. which would connect with the in-progress SDOT plans for a two-way bike lane on the North and East sides of the park.
An email from organization leader Brock Howell says:
“With a protected path on Aurora, there can be a complete loop around the Green Lake Park that is safe for kids and others to safely and comfortably get around the park. It’d effectively be a 10- to 13-foot widening of the City’s best* park on all sides.”
Brock Howell
In a footnote, Howell says that “best park” bit is his personal opinion.
The group is asking supporters to sign a petition to ask city officials to support the project financially. Want to learn more? GW Safe Streets is holding an online meeting April 2: Tuesday, April 6, 7-8 p.m. Register here to get your zoom link.
What do you think? Would you welcome a dedicated biking and jogging lane around the park?
