It all started with a small group of interested
community members, and grew into a huge community-wide effort to improve
walking and biking for the residents of Madelia. The Madelia Active Living
Coalition identified several issues related to safe walking and biking
opportunities in the community. After working with Region 9 Development
Commission to develop an Active Living Plan for the community, the group now
has begun the process of implementing their plan.
One of
their first priorities was to work with city and county officials to develop a
plan for implementing a pedestrian lane on Drew Ave SE (County Road 58) which
is a county state aid road that will connect pedestrians from Main Street to
the hospital, high school, Tony Downs Foods, Luther Memorial Home and recreational
areas such as the community park, pool and soccer fields. This plan includes
designating one side for pedestrians and bikers. Roger Risser, Watonwan County
Engineer and Julie Pace from the Madelia Active Living Coalition presented their
plan to Madelia City Council who needed to approve as well as designate no
parking along the side of the road with the pedestrian lane. After reviewing,
the city council adopted the plan and passed resolutions for no parking along
Drew Ave. The group also partnered with the light department who were able to
install new, brighter lights along Drew Ave to increase safety and visibility
at night!
The Madelia
Active Living Coalition was also able to work with the city to develop a vacant
lot into a cinder trail that would connect Drew Ave pedestrian lane to safely
cross Benzel Ave to access the community park, pool and soccer fields. The city
and county are planning to do curb cuts to ensure the crossing is safe for
those on wheels or feet. This allows pedestrians to avoid a dangerous triangle
intersection. In the future, the city plans to build a new fire station on the
vacant land and plans to make the path permanent.
This past summer, during Madelia Park Days, the
Active Living Coalition also held an Open Streets event encouraging people to
walk and bike within the community. Children attending the event were greeted
by area mascots: Mankato Moondog Muttnick, Victor Viking and Goldy Gopher.
Around 100 community members attended the event.
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