Sanibel’s Shared Use Path System
Comprehensive Master Plan
Why support a better
path system on Sanibel?
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Consistent with the essential character of Sanibel… it is environmentally
friendly, and represents an appreciation for our sanctuary island and a
nature-centered quality of life
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Residents strongly favor
the path system. COTI Survey… 97% of the residents have said that having the
paths was the #1 thing they liked about living on Sanibel
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It promotes health… better
personal health through exercise, and it is non-polluting when people choose
the paths for biking, skating or walking… rather than driving their cars
What’s the problem?
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There has been a
substantial increase in path usage and the types of activities on the paths.
The paths are not as safe as they could be… we can do better
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Paths don’t go all of the
places that people want to go for both business and recreation (e.g. City
Hall, BIG Arts)
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Current path structure
requires more maintenance than they’re receiving. Need more planned, regular
maintenance. Also, with better design and smarter investment in the path
system, we can reduce the cost of maintenance.
What is a Comprehensive
Master Plan?
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A complete, integrated,
visionary plan for enhancing our existing path network… safety improvements,
signage, appropriate path widths, amenities and maintenance processes
including proposals for extending the path network with additional paths and
connectors
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A plan for implementing
the “Plan”… priorities and cost estimates
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A plan for funding…
emphasizing Federal, State and Private Foundation programs
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A plan… and material… for
communicating the “Plan” to the community… along with its benefits and costs
Why does Sanibel need a
new Comprehensive Master Plan?
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To address an historic
opportunity to take Sanibel’s existing path system and create a visionary path
system that is well integrated, and in harmony with, Sanibel’s environment and
our community.
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To provide an opportunity
for the community to become involved in, and share in, the enhancement of the
path system… to have a broad process for listening to our residents and
communicating about the opportunities and issues…. To build consensus.
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To complete the planning
process with expert consultant assistance. The 2003 Plan was a good first
step. But, was incomplete. No implementation or funding plans. The City
has many talented employees. But, no one is an expert in Multi-use Path
design and maintenance.
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To insure that any work
done on the path system is part of a thoughtful, visionary, fully integrated
plan and:
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Takes into consideration
all of the relevant issues… e.g. safety, access, usage rates, use of
environmentally friendly materials
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Takes advantage of
existing knowledge about path design and management. What’s been learned
from the experience of other communities?
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To insure that we use our
resources wisely… money (both public taxes and private donations), people and
time.
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To obtain available
Federal and State funding for path systems. Our taxes go to fund many
Federal and State programs. Yet, to date, Sanibel has not been a beneficiary