One of the focuses of the Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities grant is to promote Complete Streets in communities covered by the program. This has spurred the creation of new partnerships and initiation of more complete streets projects in northern Franklin County, including Fort Covington.
Fort Covington used to have sidewalks on all streets, but over the years many have fallen into disrepair. In some areas, utility poles, large trees and driveways make them impossible to navigate. The only usable sidewalks at this time are those along Fort Covingtons’ main thoroughfare, County Route 37. Throughout the month of June, Heart Network Program Manager Jamie Konkoski worked with four Fort Covington residents who regularly walk in the community. Their job, to conduct a formal sidewalk assessments. The information gathered will be mapped and used to compile a list of recommended sidewalk improvements. Those recommendations will support creation of a community sidewalk improvement plan.
Ultimately, this plan will make it easier and safer for Fort Covington residents to walk and bike around town. “If nothing else, we want to ensure sidewalk connections to community destinations like the school,” explained Konkoski.
June’s assessment activities are a step in that direction.
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