Explore Columbia!

The City of Columbia, in partnership with the HeartLands Conservancy, has begun the process of creating the Explore Columbia! plan, a comprehensive effort to improve walking and bicycling conditions throughout the city. When completed, this plan will make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to safely and comfortably reach parks, schools, shopping areas, and other important community destinations on foot, by bike, or through other alternatives for transportation. The plan will detail locations and conditions of sidewalks, multi-use trails, bike lanes, and other routes and it will allow the City to apply for funding to complete these projects.

City leaders, working through the Play Commission, need citizens’ help in order to determine the most appropriate locations and types of facilities, and desired walking and/or biking improvements to be incorporated into the plan document. Throughout the planning process there will be several opportunities for citizens to give their feedback, ideas, and concerns about Explore Columbia! The first of these is a survey available online; paper copies can also be picked up in the Clerk’s Office at Columbia City Hall.

This project is funded by a federal planning grant administered through the  Illinois Department of Transportation; other partners include Trailnet and James Pona & Associates.  In all, four Metro East communities are participating in this pilot project--Swansea, Waterloo, Columbia, and a yet to be determined Madison County community.