Those of us who live along the new bike/ped path and those who use it wonder if we shouldn't rename it the Southwest Ped/Bike Beltway. The volume of traffic is tremendous and it appears that people are pleased with the results. The Friends of the Southwest Pedestrian/ Bike Path, a multi-neighborhood, all-volunteer group, will meet to discuss our priorities for this year with the goal of "enhancing the safe and enjoyable use of the path" for all users. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 at the Midvale Baptist Church, 821 S. Midvale, next to where the path intersects Midvale Blvd.

We encourage all path users and neighbors to attend. There will be a short presentation followed by a question-and-answer period, then time to view informational posters, especially of invasive plants, and participate in small group discussions. Topics for discussion might concern: signage, safety, rules of the path, spring cleanup, invasive weeds, plantings along the path, future path extensions, and improved access to neighborhoods.

More than 700 prairie plants have been planted at the Odana juncture of the Path, and the Path shoulders have been seeded (with donated seed which volunteers harvested) from the Allied Drive area to Regent St. See the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Web site www.dmna.org for a list of seeds and plants all planted by volunteers from several neighborhoods.

Very important priorities are invasive plants and rules of the path (see an accompanying article regarding suggested user rules). Since the construction of the path has once again disturbed the area, we now have more invasive plants to control. Our awareness and successful control of these invasives, such as Japanese Knotweed, garlic mustard, ragweed, and Dame's Rocket (which looks like phlox), will have significant impact on neighbors' yards and the Lake Wingra watershed. So the Japanese knotweed or garlic mustard that is growing along the Path in or behind your neighbor's yard, if not removed, could become part of your yard very soon. (See www.dmna.org for examples.)

Another very disappointing issue is the amount of dog droppings that are being left along the path and even on the path. When the Path was first completed, it seemed that dog walkers were being very conscientious, but now it has become a problem. Plastic bags (which will not degrade in the environment) with droppings are left behind or thrown into the brush instead of carried away. Responsible behavior and consideration for others and for the environment are essential for an urban path such as this.

There are informative three-ringed binders in the Sequoya Library and the Monroe Street Library with information on control of invasives and pictures of the species. If you cannot attend and would like to pass along comments, please contact Sue Reindollar (ssreindo@facstaff.wisc.edu) 233-9383, Laura Brown (ljbrown@chorus.net) 274-9367, or Mark Shahan (mnshahan@chorus.net) 274-9367.

http://www.dmna.org/bikepath/050102_meeting.shtml
Last Modified: 03-Feb-08 05:52 PM

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