Letter to the Editor: Lake Arlington Interim Safety Changes

I am writing to you in regards to the recent changes The Arlington Heights Park District has implemented at Lake Arlington. 

They have made a decision to have runners and walkers use the inside lane going counter clockwise and bikers as well as rollerbladers to use the right lane going clockwise. 

First and foremost I was deeply saddened by the loss of Mrs. Pagano. It was an unfortunate accident for all those involved. Secondly, it caused me to be concerned for my own safety because I use the same path every day. I have run at Lake Arlington every day this week and there are now people walking and running on BOTH the left and right sides traveling in both directions, ON THE SAME SIDE! 

On top of that, I observed people riding bicycles at a VERY high rate of speed (well above the 8 mph listed speed limit) on both sides, in BOTH directions again ON THE SAME SIDE. I witnessed three near collisions yesterday [Thursday] alone during one 1.86 mile loop. Including one where a young child happened to be involved. I cannot even imagine what would happen if a bicycle hit a child at the accelerated speed they typically travel at Lake Arlington. 

I, myself, a seasoned runner, had two near misses yesterday, one of which was at 6:00 a.m. while there was little traffic on the path. If you have ever been out there on an evening, you will see families walk 3 to 4 people across taking up the entire lane. This is very common at Lake Arlington. 

And now, people are confused and it is a complete mess! It does not seem safe to have people going both ways in the same lane. How does the park district intend on make sure that everyone goes the same direction in his or her respective lanes? 

Prior to all the painting and signage installed this week, I had reached out to Steve Scholten the Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District about my concerns and the response I received was: “Thank you for your email regarding the path system at Lake Arlington. The changes to the path should be completed by Thursday (July 25th) which will include pavement markings and signs that are designed to clearly inform that the outside lane is for bikers and skaters and will travel in the same direction the outside of the path is traveling now. They will also inform that the inside path is for walkers, joggers and runners only (wheelchairs and strollers will also be allowed) and they will travel in the same direction they are traveling now. Please know that this is an interim plan and the Park District will be seeking feedback and will host a meeting in October to review the comments received and seek an agreed upon plan for 2014. We look forward to your continued use of the path and encourage additional comments.” 

I have since reached out twice about the changes and expressed my concern and have not received any response. According to the Park District Website, they are planning on launching an informational campaign to raise awareness about the changes. My suggestion is NOW may be a good time to start. 

Until the patrons of Lake Arlington are adequately informed and are trained (or re-trained) to go a different direction other than the one they have been following their entire lives, it becomes about safety and the potential for loss of life. 

How does the Arlington Heights Park District intend on making it a safe place to be until the changes are embraced? It’s this resident’s belief that the Park District should not change the “rules of the road.” 

A better, more cost effective, solution would be to have the employees already on the Lake Arlington Park District payroll on the path enforcing the normal rules of the road and the 8mph speed limit. 

Thanks, Tim McDonald
Arlington Heights Resident

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