In Woodstock, New York, the Complete Streets Committee is advocating for state assistance to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility along Tinker Street. During a Town Board meeting on July 8, 2024, committee members outlined their vision for transforming the area into a pedestrian-friendly environment, contingent on the New York State Department of Transportation incorporating their proposals into upcoming renovations.
The state plans to renovate a half-mile section of Tinker Street, with work expected to start no earlier than 2026. This project focuses on rebuilding and installing sidewalks from the Village Green to Schoonmaker Lane. However, committee Chairwoman Grace Murphy emphasized the need to extend the project an additional mile to Bearsville, stating, “That’s a lot, and it includes four bridges.” She noted that modifications to the bridges crossing the Tannery Brook would be necessary to accommodate the extended route.
The committee’s recommendations have emerged from thorough onsite evaluations initiated in 2024 and completed shortly before the meeting. These assessments aimed to identify ways to create barrier-free connections throughout the town. Murphy remarked, “The purpose of these walk audits was to assess both the comfort and the safety that people experience when they were walking around.” The findings highlighted significant concerns, with many residents expressing discomfort and a lack of safety while navigating the area.
Among the suggested improvements are the installation of bump outs to discourage illegal parking and enhance pedestrian crossings, raised crosswalks for better visibility, and lane width reductions to slow down vehicular traffic. Committee members underscored that issues with pedestrian mobility extend beyond roads with inadequate shoulders. Howard Cohen, a committee member, pointed out the urgency of addressing speeding vehicles in areas that are supposed to facilitate pedestrian activity. “You don’t have to look too hard to see cars racing through crosswalks with people in those crosswalks,” he said.
The committee also highlighted a recent correspondence from a visitor who criticized the town’s current accessibility. The letter emphasized the struggles experienced by individuals with mobility challenges. “My friend Laurie … uses a wheelchair and we were shocked to see how poorly the sidewalks and curb cuts were maintained,” the visitor wrote. “It was nearly impossible to go anywhere or do anything. I imagine improving Woodstock’s accessibility would benefit everyone … including people using strollers and canes, not just those using wheelchairs.”
The Complete Streets Committee remains committed to engaging with state officials to ensure that the proposed pedestrian-friendly enhancements are integrated into the Tinker Street renovation. If successful, these efforts could significantly improve the walking experience in Woodstock, making it a more accessible and welcoming community for all residents and visitors.
