If you look at a map to take the family on a bike trip from from Kissena Park to Cunninham Park you’ll probably plan your route going through Peck Park.  We already have some infrastructure like bike lanes (in one direction), but when drivers from outside the neighborhood block them (and the sidewalk) we can see that the the road design isn’t working for anyone.  Cyclists need to weave in and out of the bike lane, slowing down car traffic and putting everyone at risk.  Drivers are confused by the parking rules when they see others breaking the law.  And pedestrians have less sidewalk space when parked cars end up on the curbs.

When we passed by to silently take this picture, one driver started hurling profanities at us.  Two others were in their cars drinking beer (pictured above).  The saddest part is that across the street there were available legal spots; this behavior was due to laziness, not a lack of parking.

There was a 1977 plan for travel around Peck Park that hasn’t been implemented yet that would avoided many of these conflicts. Having a well marked path within the park would direct cyclists to certain trails save intersections. Currently cyclists (especially children) forced out of the bike lane are all over the park trying to find a good route.

In the 1977 plan a 0.25 mile of trail connects 188th Street to 58th Avenue. It also shifts cyclists to a midblock crossing which simplifies the 5 way stop sign interaction for drivers. These improvements would children, families and novices to try the trail.

Right now this infrastructure isn’t working for anyone.  We need to come together as a neighborhood and redesign this street so it’s better for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.  Our parkland and our neighbors deserve better.  We need infrastructure that encourages cars, cyclists, and pedestrians to work together, instead of fighting each other over space.

Councilmember Ung has dedicated over $43 million to improve the greenway, including the Peck Park section. Now is the time that the Department of Parks need to act to turn this from a parking lot into an active transportation route safe enough for neighborhood kids.