Baton Rouge getting smarter? – From the Smart City blog: Recent progress on parks and trails

Is Baton Rouge, dare I say it, embracing the smart growth mindset? More and more, I’m seeing stories and hearing about new projects that tend to point us in that direction.

Many such projects involve BREC and its mission of providing connectivity between BREC parks and more opportunities for people to utilize the parish’s green space. The Wards Creek Trail near the Mall of Louisiana, which we discussed previously here, is currently under construction. The 2.2-mile trail will run from Bluebonnet Boulevard behind the mall, through The Grove development and out to Siegen Lane.

According to a recent Business Report story, BREC is working on grants for the next phase of the trail that will connect it to Pennington Biomedical Research Center and the perpetually in limbo Rouzan development. Downtown Development District already has its eyes on connecting the Downtown Greenway project to BREC’s trail, which is part of the Capital Area Pathways project.

Working closely with advocate groups like Bike Baton Rouge, it seems like these organizations have fully realized the potential of a well-connected web of biking and walking trails throughout the city and are planning ahead. Let’s hope that momentum continues.

While BREC works on these linear parks to connect neighborhoods, it’s also providing temporary opportunities for those neighborhoods with poor access to public parks. A “BREC on the Geaux” vehicle will be making the rounds this summer, providing recreational activities to “play deserts.” You can read more about that here.

BREC and DDD are also seeking public input on improvements to Expressway Park near downtown, one of seven parks that will be connected by the Downtown Greenway. We’ve written about the problems Expressway Park faces here. The online survey is up until May 27, so speak your mind here.

After being the first city in Louisiana to receive the designation of a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists in 2009, Baton Rouge’s designation got extended to 2017. I’m not entirely sure what that means, and the commentary I’ve seen ranges from “Great!” to “I’d hate to see the cities that are considered bike hostile.” Our blogger Jay D. Ducote even commented on the mayor’s post that “Bicycle emblems painted onto streets does not equal bike safety. There’s a LOT more work to do.” I tend to agree.

For more on the ranking, which also puts Louisiana 29th out of all 50 states in terms of bicycle friendliness, click here.

Do you see all these recent developments as a sign that Baton Rouge is moving in the right direction as a smart growth-minded, alternative transportation-friendly city? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

(Above photo taken at an idea wall during the Better Block BR event.)