Letter to the Editor: Reconsider Bonney Lake's Walkability

Editor's Note: This is a letter to the editor from Bonney Lake councilmember Laurie Carter, in response to Kelda Miller's opinion piece, You can submit your letters to the editor to lauren.padgett@patch.com.

When you list your home for sale, there is now a section to rate how walkable your neighorhood is.  There is the Walk Score Description:  

90–100 Walker's Paradise — Daily errands do not require a car.
70–89 Very Walkable — Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
50–69 Somewhat Walkable — Some amenities within walking distance.
25–49 Car-Dependent — A few amenities within walking distance.
0–24 Car-Dependent — Almost all errands require a car.
 
My house in Downtown Bonney Lake has a score of 49, right on the cusp of "somewhat walkable.  I walk to the justice center, the public safety building, the library, restaurants and even to the vet with Angus!  My husband and I shop Downtown because it is our neighborhood.

There are bike lanes, colorful banners, street trees and sidewalks for walkers and bike riders in Downtown. 
 
In other parts of the city, construction is underway to add a new section of sidewalk on the north side of SR 410 between 198th and 208th to complete sidewalks in the city from 214th to 192nd on SR 410.  Recently, sidewalks and traffic calming street trees have been added near schools.  There is a bike lane/walking path around Lake Bonney that is a nice mile walk.  I look forward to the groundbreaking of the Fennel Creek Trail that will intersect in Midtown with the sidewalks on SR 410.  The Fennel Creek Trail will run north-south throughout the city.    Bonney Lake was originally a resort, vacation community on Lake Tapps, Lake Bonney and Lake Debra Jane.  I agree many of the streets are narrow and winding with no sidewalks or shoulders.  As areas of the city are redeveloped improvements are made and sidewalks added.  This takes time.
 
So, you see, there have been many improvements made recently and many more to come to make Bonney Lake a more walkable community.  We are not there yet, but little by little we are working on it as budgets allow.    I encourage you to walk Downtown this weekend and visit the East Pierce Fire and Rescue open house from 1-4 PM at the Public Safety Building.

-- Bonney Lake Councilmember Laurie Carter, Position 5