It might be argued that the failure, if there is any, lies with the
town for not proactively working to obtain an easement or right of way
for that path -- or some other path -- in the 20-plus years that the
public has been using that path.
And it might be argued that the blame, if there is any, lies with those
who cut trees, polluted and misused the path to the point where the
landowner had had enough.
Property owners have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their property
and should not have to constantly defend that right against
disrespectful neighbors or other members of the public.
The responsibility for making sure there are sidewalks, paths and
public access to the Mad River falls on all of us, collectively, but on
our town leaders and planners, specifically. (And fortunately for us,
this work is shared by citizen advocacy groups such as Friends of the
Mad River and the Mad River Path Association.)
As is evident in Waitsfield where the lack of a proper sidewalk is
dangerous and a deterrent to anything but autocentric living, creating
sidewalks and pathways must be a priority. It is evident in Moretown,
where the sidewalks are crumbling and dangerous, that the public,
through elected and appointed officials, must make sidewalks, paths and
public access a greater priority. It is evident along Route 100 where
crumbling areas, too small and dangerous to call bike lanes, require
that cyclists ride in the travel lane.
Gasoline prices have risen 35 cents in the last 10 days. Does anyone
think they will not continue to rise? Pedestrian, bike and riparian
access are no less important now than they were last year when gas rose
to $4 a gallon.
Rather than gnashing teeth over the opportunity lost in Warren, efforts
must be made to find and secure other pathways to the elementary
school. And efforts must continue throughout The Valley to create
sidewalks, bike paths, foot paths and river access.
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