Mt Vernon Gardens and Walkway

Mt Vernon Gardens

SAFE includes the connection of the bike trail to Mandan Park, a much-needed light pole at the north parking lot, replacement of the trash cans and the addition of some type of fencing at the north parking lot near the proposed light. This area is been the target of large- scale dumping and it is the location where a hundred and twenty plus tires were rolled off and down throughout the woods. This area continues to be an area of drug dealing and drug use, as well as large scale dumping and prostitution.

Again. we believe a simple light with about 50 yards of wire run to it and some type of fencing would easily solve this problem and save everyone hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars

The cost of the proposed bike path on the east side of 13th Street would be quite costly.

Some type of consideration needs to be taken into account for this length of 13th Street since the cliffside is collapsing and slumping, and the roadway is deteriorating. Just recently improvements were made near a storm drain where slumping of the roadway was considerable... this is occurring in several spots, I believe it's at least five or six along that stretch of 13th. Something must be done and when it is done, it would be prudent to have a walkway or bike path in there. We would also recommend that the bike-track go over the retaining wall between the two entrances of Mount Vernon, keeping cyclist away from 13th Street traffic and from being trapped against the retaining wall

We believe this will make this area safer. It is an investment and a show of committed responsibility by leaders. We believe that it could be augmented by an annual run bike event marathon of some type from old Town Bellevue to our Omaha Old Market. We have made these suggestions for some time in hopes of some City, Civic or charity group interest, as it seems to be a sensible way to keep interest in this area's community and these parks. Adding other events in both parks would be beneficial.

We also have had one specific place in Mount Vernon Garden where large volumes of tires and trash accumulated, in addition to prostitution, drug use and drug dealing. Most of this could have been mitigated with a light pole and a small piece of fencing. This has resulted in hundreds of hours of clean-out by volunteers. Other than this location, the majority of all the volumes of trash found in Mount Vernon Gardens over the decades was concentrated behind the pavilion itself. The dumping along the road pales in comparison to what was carried away from the parking lot to the Pavilion and then off into the woods. There are still layers of glass through that area. At least a small type of green colored snow fencing at the South Corner along the woods in the north parking lot would make it difficult for people to dump things that end up clear at the end of that high ravine and along the railroad tracks (which is also very difficult for the city to remove). It's impossible to bring these items back up. There are also two potholes , one in each parking lot, that have been there for the last five or six years and have just gotten larger. Many people have also asked for some type of ornate railing at the south parking lot.

Possible raised cross walk at Both entrance s at Mt Vernon.