7 | South Boulevard Crossing

Put a painted crosswalk, street trees, and spot medians on it! 

by Keihly Moore

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Before: South Boulevard crossing at Rensselaer Ave. 

Note that the above picture does show an improvement. This "pedestrian island" was installed just a few months ago. Many have noted that the busy South Boulevard acts as a divide for pedestrians between Dilworth and South End. The wide street with fast moving traffic does little to invite a crossing on foot, despite the tasty places like Crispy Crepe and Nova's Bakery, found on opposite sides near this intersection. 

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After: Add painted crosswalks, street trees, and spot medians to slow traffic and help pedestrians feel safer. 

These improvements, seen above, really would be a first step in a series of improvements to dissolve the walking-driving conflict on this corridor. More on-street parking and bike lanes can also be used to make it a more welcoming street to cross. 

1 | Romare Bearden Park

Put a crosswalk on it!

by Keihly Moore

Before: No formal crossing from Romare Bearden Park to Latta Arcade.

Romare Bearden Park just opened in late August 2013. It's a much needed public open space for Uptown. There are, however, a few more opportunities that could dramatically improve the park's access. Traffic on Church Street is one way, and it moves fast. Vehicles need to start learning to slow down on this block where restaurants, bars, and other shops pull visitors from the park, and vice versa. There should be a mid-block crossing to formalize, and make safer, this relationship. 

After: with raised crosswalk to enhance the connection between Latta Arcade and the park.