Letter: We Need More Sidewalks for Residents' Safety
A longtime resident raises concerns about the lack of sidewalks in Owen Sound and Georgian Bluffs, questioning why municipal councils have failed to prioritize pedestrian safety in their budgets.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I have lived in Owen Sound, on the border of Georgian Bluffs, since 1991. A big concern of mine has been the lack of sidewalks to keep people safe.
Many years ago, there must have been a greater concern with city councils regarding budgeting for sidewalks. We still have streets in Owen Sound with sidewalks on both sides of the street.
In inquiries to city councils over the last number of years, the excuse has always been, 'There is no line in the budget for this.'
Why not?
People are much more conscious of exercising, and so one sees many more citizens out walking, either with their dogs or solo. Yet we have streets with no sidewalks, even close to schools and our local hospital.
City Council expects builders of subdivisions to lay sidewalks at the builders’ expense, but they themselves do not feel it is important to do so. I am confused.
I also must comment on Georgian Bluffs, with their land filled with subdivisions.
I watch children walking to school on the road, people and their pets walking on the streets, and yet there's never a sidewalk put into the budget. I am surprised that residents of Georgian Bluffs don't demand this.
Again, just a concern and a shock that sidewalks for safety play such an insignificant agenda item to the City of Owen Sound and Township of Georgian Bluffs councils.
Rev. Harry Huff
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.
I wrote this yesterday: Dear people who run on 4th Ave W above the hill (or anywhere): if you really can't use the sidewalk, could you at least run on the left side of the road facing traffic? You know, the way you're supposed to for your own safety? Thanks.
Ironic.
Thanks for writing this letter Rev Huff. I agree that everything to do with pedestrians was moved down the list during the years following WWII when Canada followed the shiny new American 'car obsession'. It was all about road, oil/gas and cars. We built our towns to spread out without public transit, and quietly dropped the idea of sidewalks.
You are right that no (or badly maintained) sidewalks or bike paths leading from homes to schools is a shocker. What about the 'safety first' mantra? Or climate adaptation for that matter. Imagine a city council in 2025 not doing everything it possibly could to get people out of heat-producing cars and out walking!