Pedestrian-friendly Lindenhurst in works

Three years ago, pedestrian-friendly paths topped Lindenhurst residents' wish list.

By the spring, village and park district officials said they hope to be able to grant their wish.

"We're hoping by the end of May to be able to present a comprehensive plan," said Tom Lippert, park district director. "It is just a matter of locations, timing, costs and then putting those pieces together."

Lindenhurst Park District and village officials are working with Bonestroo and Associates of Libertyville to connect existing sidewalks along the road so residents can walk or bike to nearby parks, lakes and the park district community center.

Residents had their first chance to see what their village will look like with a trail system Saturday during one of three public information sessions on the project.

Future meetings are tentatively scheduled for February and April.

Lippert said about 35 people attended Saturday's meeting.

"We were pleasantly surprised by the attendance," he said. "A lot of people had a lot of questions, particularly about how their subdivisions would tie in."

A more developed network of paths was a top priority by residents who responded to a 2004 parks and recreation survey.

Two sections identified as needing sidewalks run from the waste water treatment plant to the Auburn Meadows subdivision and from North Beck Road to the East Providence Woods subdivision.

The sections are 940 feet and 3,100 feet long, respectively.

Lippert said he also would like to connect district parks with trails, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

One is how the system would connect with the Lindenhurst Village Green, a massive retail and residential development planned along Route 45 just north of Grand Avenue.

Funding for the project also is unknown, but Lippert said impact fees, grants and other mechanisms will be considered.

"At least we are letting people know we are doing this," Lippert said. "People have been very positive, very happy and are really looking forward to it."

Suzi Schmidt, Lake County Board chairman, said she hopes Lindenhurst will consider working with Lake Villa, where village officials are also hoping to expand their trails.

"I'm all for it, and there were quite a few residents there who love trails," Schmidt said. "I think it is just important that we are all on the same page. I hope this will be more regional than just Lindenhurst."