Hidden Path Letter: Pedestrian and Bicycle Path Concept Work Shop Planned Public Notice: Planning Workshop on the Hidden Path Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail on January 28, 2004 at 6:00pm The idea of a Hidden Path was developed through a public planning workshop for the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Town’s comprehensive plan includes the concept of an island-wide hidden path parallel to Estero Boulevard in the Community Design Element, Chapter 3 (page 3-14, objective 2-A). Goal 2 of the Community Design Element is to upgrade residential neighborhoods throughout Estero Island by creating an interconnected trail. Such a trail would enhance pedestrian and cycling use on the island, improve mobility and promote community interaction. (To view the Comprehensive Plan go to fmbeach.org) In the Comprehensive Plan’s Transportation Element, Chapter 7 (Pages 7-10 and 7-A-15), the “hidden path” network would expand the use of cycling and would provide an alternative to busy Estero Boulevard. The “hidden path” would also provide an alternative walking and cycling environment that could replace some single-occupant-vehicle trips, particularly where the system would link important centers of activity such as Bay Oaks recreation center, the Matanzas Pass Preserve, Beach elementary school, community pool, library, and Estero Island historic cottages. In March 2002, Mayor Dan Hughes addressed the Community Resource Advisory Board (CRAB) and told them the council had just completed their annual retreat and that the hidden path project was a high priority for CRAB to work on. CRAB decided the best way to complete an island wide path, was to approach it in segments. The area from Connecticut Street to Mango Street was selected to work on first as the core segment in part because it includes Bay Oaks recreation center, the Matanzas Pass Preserve, Beach elementary school, community pool, library and Estero Island historic cottages. In October of 2003, Town Council approved the TBE contract and work began on collecting and analyzing data to conduct a zero percent-planning workshop. In preparation for the planning workshop, Town staff, TBE Group, and CRAB is gathering information on the project area and is meeting with various community groups and property owners to understand questions and concerns they have regarding the project. Information and preferences gathered at the workshop will be provided to the Town Council for their consideration in deciding whether to proceed with a project or not.