City to request study for pathway system

A study to determine the best place for pedestrian paths could be underway soon, financed partially by a $31,500 grant from the state Department of Transportation, and a 30 percent -- $13,500 -- match by the city.

Kinston is one of only a dozen cities to receive a DOT grant for bike paths or pedestrian pathways. The department received 38 applications.

"A planning study essentially does an inventory … and then assesses what you have, and looks at what the needs are to see if there are any gaps between what you have and what you need," Kinston Planning and Inspections Director Tommy Lee said.

Most planning and engineering companies have staff members who specialize in designing pathway systems. Lee's department will put together specifications for Kinston and ask for proposals soon.

A system of paths, which does not necessarily translate into paved sidewalks, should connect various areas of the city, and make walking or jogging easier for residents and visitors, Lee said. Integrated paths could eliminate the need for auto traffic in some instances.

"My real desire was to spend a lot of time connecting downtown to surrounding neighborhoods and also with the new visitors center and motels, and with the retro green park to develop along river," Lee said.

He envisions a time when paths would lead tourists from motels to across the bridges and on to downtown, while they examine the Neuse River and surrounding areas. Improvements to South Queen Street could invite strollers and joggers into the city. Other paths could connect neighborhoods to downtown and shopping.

"Pathways would connect places by walkways so you didn't necessarily have to get in a vehicle, or if you did not have a vehicle you could get to a place to shop," Lee said.

Residents a few years ago complained about the lack of bike paths in the city. Lee said the state would not give pathway and bike path grants to a city in the same year. He will try later for money for bike paths, he said.

Lee doesn't know yet where the city would find money to build paths, but the DOT often has funds available for infrastructure work, he said.

"They allocate so much money per year for sidewalks," he said, "and probably for other things also."

Lee is a big believer in the health and economic benefits of walking. Walking becomes preventative medicine and healthy populations use fewer health care dollars, he said. Walkers see people, greet people and are likely to become friendlier. They see more of their communities.

"If you walk with someone you can have a meaningful conversation about what you see," he said. "Walkable communities are becoming recognized as good for the quality of life."