PLEASANT VIEW -- Resident Steve Gibson is asking the city council to complete the walking path that would run along Pleasant View Drive.
"For the last five to six years, this has been talked about," he said. "I would like to see it happen."
Gibson said he had been in contact with council members about the walking path but felt like it was not moving forward.
He said he had observed people walking and biking on Pleasant View Drive, which is not safe. He said the shoulder is only 6 inches to a foot along the road.
"I saw a lady with an infant in a stroller. Cars were going around it," Gibson said. "I feel this is a real safety issue."
He suggested the city do the walking path in phases and said he knows the city has worked on a plan for the walking path.
Gibson also said the community wants to be involved in the project and that people would like to donate trees and benches to be placed along the path in memory of a loved one.
People are also willing to donate time and product, such as asphalt, to the project, he said.
Local contractors and Scout groups would also be willing to help if they were asked, he said.
"I would actually like to see this start."
Gibson said the walking path would be a benefit and help beautify the city, though he realizes there are some issues, such as watering trees and keeping weeds under control, that would need to be addressed.
"It's not just going to be a walk in the park, but it could be," he said.
"We've had this project on the radar screen for some time," said Mayor Doug Clifford.
He said the city had just finished one project -- the restrooms and concession stand at Pleasant View Park -- that had community involvement.
The city is also using donations and community involvement in the Wadman Nature Park project that is just beginning, Clifford said.
"This (the walking path) right now is the next in line as far as community involvement," he said. "It's just a question of when. Until we get the blessing of the budget by the city council, we just don't know."
Clifford said the city has taken steps toward creating the walking path and that it will probably be under way sometime this year.
City Administrator J.J. Allen said the city engineer is working on a design for the path.
"We fully intend to budget it in the next fiscal year," he said.
Allen also said he likes the idea of volunteers and donations, but by law, if the project costs more than $144,000, the city would have to bid it out to a contractor.
"The critical components that need to be engineered is the path, and if we put lighting along the path," he said.
"I love the idea of trees and benches as memorials. They can be done over time."
But, as far as the path itself is concerned, he said, "Trust us, we're working on it."
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