I rode my bike around the river trails last night for a couple hours and it was so incredibly great. I can't urge you enough if you don't use the riverfront trail system to go check it out. Walk, jog, ride a bike (rent a bike) or take the dog for a walk.
A few thoughts I had:
- The trail extensions such as through the strip district as well as the southside connection over to station square can't come soon enough. There were thousands of people using the trails and the rivers and boating but the trail system really needs to be connected and filled.
-The Riverwalk warehouse complex next to the Liberty Bridge is an absolutely awesome complex. It just screams industrial cool. The fact that it has multiple structures and a bridge and river access and the riverfront trail goes right through it means the potential of that complex is huge. It can't come soon enough either.
-The large open lots next to station square where I believe it is Forest City has plans for a large mixed-use complex can't come soon enough too. It is begging to be redeveloped.
- The Southside Works area has so much activity and energy. It is wonderful. The Hot Metal Bridge & the boat docks (which are surprisingly large) and the collection of interesting office buildings on either side of the river create a really nice modern vibe.
- Point State Park nowadays is wonderful. Such a great park - The renovation has done wonders. As good as any park in the country I have been to. It's large, I chose to park and sit under a tree and laugh at all the people and dogs running around and having fun. Segway tours, biking meetup groups, dancers, fishermen, boating enthusiasts & more. It's such a big hit.
- The huge area of open parking lots around the 16th street bridge have tremendous potential. One day I imagine a huge mixed use or residential neighborhood built there in the area of the now non-existant Schweitzer Loch (I have no idea how to spell it) neighborhood. It's such a large area with killer views of downtown.
- The area around the Cardello building will be a huge asset when developed as well. It's very accessible to all the Northshore activities.
But my overwhelming feeling during my several mile bike ride is that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to over invest in riverfront trails and biking infrastructure. Impossible.
They are such a crucial component to the vitality of the city for pedestrians, cyclists, dog owners, residents, suburbanites (such as myself that chose to move to the heart of the city) and visitors. You can see the enjoyment on the thousands of faces.