Connect Our Schools Update and Action Needed
Another Big milestone is coming up for the Connect Our Schools Project and we need your help to ensure the project stays on track. The City of Harrisonburg heard YOU loud and clear. Our community NEEDS a connected network of greenways and Shared Use Paths. Preparations and behind the scenes work continues for the Connect Our Schools Project (Garbers Church Shared Use Path).
Construction is still slated to begin in Summer 2020. Help us ensure the schedule remains on track and let the current City Council and City Manager know how much this project means to you.
What: Harrisonburg City Council will hear an update on the Connect our Schools project at their meeting on April 9. Next step is for Public Works
The Ask: Please Contact City Council and THANK them for their work and the work of City Staff that has moved Connect Our Schools along towards a construction date. Sample Talking Points:
- Ask City Council to please allow Public Works to move forward with easement acquisition for the project so construction can begin in 2020 as planned.
- Thank City Council and the city staff for their work to find an alignment that works for the project largely utilizing
City owned property to include Heritage Oaks Golf Course, Hillandale Park, and Bluestone Elementary. - Stress the importance of safe connections for people of all ages to walk and bike between parks, schools, and neighborhoods.
- Include a personal story about what it means to you to have the freedom to safely walk or bike to your destination.
Who do you contact? You can leave a very short comment in SUPPORT of the agenda item on Be Heard Harrisonburg under 7.e. Garbers Church Road – Shared Use Path Project Update
Contact City Council and the City Manager with a brief email:
- Eric.campbell@harrisonburgva.gov
- Deanna.Reed@harrisonburgva.gov
- Sal.Romero@harrisonburgva.gov
- Richard.baugh@harrisonburgva.gov
- Christopher.Jones@harrisonburgva.gov
- George.Hirschmann@harrisonburgva.gov
When: Please Contact City Council by end of day on Tuesday April 9.
Recap from the City of Harrisonburg: The Garbers Church Road Shared Use Path Project began as an initiative to connect schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods on the southwest side of the City. On November 9, 2017, the Department of Public Works (DPW) held a design public hearing at Bluestone Elementary School. The public hearing was an opportunity for DPW staff to share with citizens the initial right of way plans for this project and collect comments from citizens concerning the project. Following that public meeting and subsequent City Council presentation, it was determined that alignment changes were needed due to citizen input. The two primary areas of alignment changes were the section between Garbers Church Road and Hillandale Park, and Wyndham Drive to Thomas Harrison Middle School.