Widening lake path is obvious solution

On the weekend of June 11th and 12th, three representatives of the village were at Lake Arlington, explaining the $1.1 million in changes planned for the lake. Many of the changes are wonderful, especially for the children.

However, there was one glaring part of the plan which needs to be reconsidered. It was explained that the present, 10-foot wide walking/bike path would not be widened. Instead, the plan is to reduce the bike path from five feet to four feet, adding that foot to the walking path to make it six feet wide.

We wonder if any of the three village representatives have actually walked the path. Reducing the bike path to four feet is asking for trouble. Two bikers would barely be able to pass each other, much less be able to ride side by side. Rollerbladers also use that path, with their wide, graceful strides often covering the complete five foot width of the path.

Since the tragic death of an elderly woman, hit by a cyclist some years ago, there have been many suggested changes, resulting in the existing designation of space between bikers and walkers.

One potential change was creating two separate paths, which would have been very difficult and costly.

It's unbelievable that a $1.1 million expenditure would leave the existing width of the path alone, instead of adding another two to four feet to the width of the path to make it safer for all who use it.

Jim Osebold

Arlington Heights