and bicycle facilities should be evaluated to maximize accessibility, safety and convenience to promote walking and bicycle trips in an effort to reduce student loading and parking demands.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
Oakwood has a well-developed network of pedestrian facilities with sidewalks provided on both sides of most streets with well-marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals. The character and scale of the community lends itself to walking throughout the community and this is one of Oakwood’s most desirable attributes.
Citizens have voiced a strong desire to preserve and enhance the pedestrian amenities in the community. Removal of the current chain and bollard barriers is planned along Far Hills Avenue north of Patterson Road. Also, the City is planning to replace the chain and bollard barriers along Far Hills between Patterson Road and the Junior/Senior High School and to widen the sidewalk in this area. Modifications to the existing wooden wall separating the through lanes from the parking areas and sidewalks in the Far Hills business district is also planned and should improve the aesthetic attractiveness of the area as well as enhance pedestrian safety.
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) has been awarded federal funding to develop safe routes to school facilities and to promote a national “Walk to School Day.” The City of Oakwood would be well-suited to take advantage of this program, as a means to publicize city-wide pedestrian routes and to advocate walking to school facilities with the additional benefits of reducing congestion and parking at the school facilities.
Additionally, the City should review all pedestrian and bicycle facility design requirements to ensure that new or rehabilitated facilities are designed where feasible in accordance with the Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Best Practice Design Guide by the United States Department of Transportation. This publication provides recommendations for promoting pedestrian access and safety for all users, including the disabled.
In addition, the City has several signed bike routes. City staff intends to investigate the possibility of updating the citywide bicycle route signage to adhere to current guidelines for signage and accessibility.
A portion of Deep Hollow Road from Oak Knoll Drive north to Park Road is planned for conversion to a pedestrian path in accordance with the Master Plan for Hills and Dales Park. This project is included as a part of an extensive plan for reconfiguration and improvements of walking and multi-use trails within Hills and Dales Park by Five Rivers Metro Parks.
Oakwood should cooperate with Five Rivers Metro Parks to coordinate planning activities and to maximize connectivity to the Hills and Dales Park while at the same time protecting the privacy and security of residents near Hills and Dales.
It is recommended that a comprehensive review of the existing pedestrian and bicycle signage and pavement markings throughout the City be undertaken. Emphasis should be given to designated pedestrian routes linking schools, community facilities, and recreational areas. Although there are topographic challenges, connectivity with Hills and Dales Park should also be explored to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.
As noted previously, the MVRPC has recommended the potential development of the former railroad right-of-way northwest of Acorn Drive, now used as a sewer access road by the City of Dayton, into a regional bike trail connector linking Dayton with Oakwood, Kettering and Centerville.
This bike facility could provide a major regional recreational trail connection to Oakwood and also link the community to the existing Great Miami River Corridor Bikeway and other trails under various stages of development. While some residents have indicated that this is not a