A proposed bike and walking path in Willow Springs has been put on hold.
The path was proposed for ComEd land beneath power lines from Willow Springs Road, south of German Church Road, stretching southwest to 87th Street and Wolf Road.
Linda Arra, chair of the village beautification commission, had proposed the path at the March meeting of the village board.
But she soon learned the path is not happening.
Village officials after the April 10 board meeting said more pressing needs that have forced the path to be put on the back burner.
Installation of sidewalks along German Church Road and Wolf Road are the main focus, several officials said.
Mayor Melissa Nedderrmeyer said that while the path is not entirely ruled out, it won’t happen anytime soon.
“We appreciate the commission’s work on it. They did put some time into investigating it,” Neddermeyer said.
“After the (March) meeting, (I) got board member’s feedback. Right now, the primary focus and priority is on infrastructure projects. Sidewalks, perhaps alleys. Those are taking our focus at this time,” the mayor said.
The commission sought approval to seek grants to pay for the project it estimates will cost $300,000.
But, as Neddermeyer noted, the village would still need money related to that, like paying the village engineer to design the path and paying the grant proposal writer.
Several officials said the intended path route lies in a floodplain which could result in other problems.
Before the board meeting, commission chair Arra said she is disappointed the village board is not interested in proceeding with the path idea.
“I know who voted ‘yes’,” she said, referring to her husband, Village Trustee Tom Arra.
She had hoped the entire board would support the commission’s goal of seeking grants.
Commission board member Kathy Thalji echoed that sentiment.
“We were surprised because there was a lot of positive input from the community. I live in that area. I was surprised the village was so reticent about the project,” Thalji said.
“Most people were excited. There are young families who live in the area and they were excited about the pathway,” Thalji said.
She noted that the path, just under a mile long, would be paved and offer a safe place for children to ride their bicycles.
After the April meeting, village trustees Terrance Carr and Fred Posch said more input is needed.
“We’ve got to find out if residents whose backyards back up to that are okay with it. I’m not against it,” Carr said.
Posch agreed.
“We need to see if the residents want it. Anytime you seek a grant, engineering, it’s going to cost you something. We’re concerned, too, in a flood plain, if you are blocking water (building a path),” Posch said.