Allen Kerkeslager helped me find an even better link to connect the RITtweenway with the Genesee Valley Greenway, and Jay Jackson pointed out that a bike ferry could be a way cool and relatively easy way to get the job done.
Here is the site we are talking about in google maps. On the east side of the crossing, the land is reportedly owned by developers planning to create a pond and preserve in the big open areas, and on the west side some unused NYState owned property seems to be waiting for our new lease on life.
The crossing would connect the “River Meadow Preserve” to an asphalted former water testing facility reportedly owned by New York State. The landing would offer near-perfect access to to the Genessee Valley Greenway either via Scottsville Rd and Brook Rd, or southwest by way of the road that exteds from right across the landing.
. Here is the eastward looking view back to River Meadow Dr.
As for how the crossing would be implemented, one could imagine a bicycle/pedestrian bridge or even a small cable ferry (which could be designed and built by RIT faculty and students!)
· River Meadow Crossing
- would create new recreational options for local residents,
- would create a short and safe bike-commute to and from RIT and RIT’s new Global Village
- would create a scenic and efficient 10 mile bike ride to downtown Rochester via RIT, Park Point and the Rochester Greenway.
- would make us essential links in the emerging Rochester-Williamsport Greenway
- would establish Henrietta, RIT, and Rochester as leaders in the transition to more ecological, economical, and healthy life styles.
- would enrich the community.
The “Rochester Bicycle Ecology” is a flagship project of RIT’s Center for Student Innovation (which I now direct.)
● We have been promoting the under-appreciated “Rochester Greenway” that connects Henrietta with Downtown Rochester by way of RIT and the Lehigh Valley North Trail.
● We organized last October’s Rochester Cycling Summit , helped found the Rochester Cycling Alliance and helped put theRochester-Williamsport Greenway on the agenda for NY and PA planners.
● In less than a year, we’ve had significant impact, and this summer we are working with the Rochester Cycling Alliance to stimulate and coordinate a “Greater Rochester Active Transportation System“.
