SHEFFIELD LAKE, Ohio – Sheffield Lake and Sheffield Village have been awarded an Ohio Department of Transportation grant to develop safe and accessible walking and biking networks that improve connectivity between neighborhoods, schools, parks and the Lake Erie waterfront.
The Active Transportation Planning Assistance grant will support a year-long initiative to develop a plan, focused on healthier travel options such as walking, skateboarding, rollerblading and bicycling.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow us to prioritize active transportation infrastructure and improve safety and connectivity for our residents,” Sheffield Lake Mayor Rocky Radeff said in a press release. “This plan will be a cornerstone of our efforts to enhance quality of life in Sheffield Lake.”
The grant will allow ODOT to provide consultant assistance to help develop the plan. That will include an evaluation of existing infrastructure, such as the public service department’s current sidewalk strategy, the sidewalk implementation project on Lake Road and a collaboration with the school district to map out safe routes to school.
Recommendations for future projects and programs, a prioritized list of improvements and a detailed implementation strategy will also be included in the plan. Stakeholder and public input will help shape project direction, with opportunities for engagement through meetings, surveys and other outreach initiatives.
According to Rachael Sommer, grant manager for Sheffield Lake, the goal is to create a plan that can be used to secure the additional funding needed to implement the recommended projects.
Residents interested in learning more or contributing to the planning process can contact Sommer at rsommer@sheffieldlake.net.