Let's make Sandpoint a true walking town

We’ve all seen the signs when driving into Sandpoint: “Sandpoint is a walking town.” Just by saying it and hanging up some signs doesn’t necessarily make it true. My question is: if Sandpoint is a walking town, then where are all the sidewalks? Sure there are some, but I still haven’t found one that doesn’t lead me into someone’s yard, or disappears altogether so that I’m left walking in the street. It’s crazy because some streets have sidewalks on both sides while others have none.

I think that there needs to be a real push to get sidewalks installed for most of the Sandpoint community. Until that is done, Sandpoint will continue to be a driving town. I understand that other things are important and need funding, too, like plowing, road maintenance, police, fire, etc. However, even with these expenses, there should be a plan to also finance a sidewalk improvement project. How about targeting two or three streets a year? At least a complete sidewalk on one side of the street would be an improvement.

Adding or completing existing sidewalks not only benefits and is safer for pedestrians, it is safer for drivers as well. I can’t even remember how many times I have to stop in a downtown street because people are walking in the middle of it. Sidewalks would prevent this, and provide greater accessibility for all of Sandpoint’s residents. I often think of people in wheelchairs; no problem if you just need to go down Division Avenue, but what about Larch? Good luck. I don’t know if I would even want to venture out if I was in a wheelchair.

I believe it is an achievable goal to get complete sidewalks constructed in Sandpoint. I just don’t understand why more hasn’t been done already to get this accomplished. In the end, most people would agree that this would be a great benefit to all.

JACK CARLETON

Sandpoint

Lake Pend Oreille High School

Senior class president