Pedestrians only

If you could designate a part of Bend to be a very low car zone, where would you pick?

From Juniper Park to Drake Park maybe? Somewhere else? Do you not want it?

Basically, Bend has to allow for the possibility. The state’s new rules for climate friendly and equitable communities require cities with more than 100,000 in population to have regulations that allow for low-car districts. A low-car district is defined as an area where walking or using walkers or wheelchairs is the primary way of getting around.

This week, the Bend City Council is being asked to authorize a pass-through of $150,000 from the state to be awarded to DKS Associates to come up with a plan. It includes a case study for evaluating such a route from Juniper Park to Drake Park. That would be aided, of course, by the plans for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge in the area that will cross the Bend Parkway and the railroad.

Where do you think Bend should have rules to allow a low-car district? Tell the city what you think. You can email councilors at council@bendoregon.gov.