Phase One of Kingman Crossing Regional Trail opposed by some residents
KINGMAN – City of Kingman Director of the Parks and Recreation Mike Meersman held an informal meeting at the intersection of Cheyenne Ave., and Blackfoot Dr., in Hualapai Foothill Estates last Thursday, May 18 to inform, discuss, and answer questions residents had about a new pedestrian/bike path that has been proposed in this neighborhood. Approximately 40 neighborhood residents attended the outdoor meeting. Meersman announced that Angle Homes had brought the path project to the city and is willing to sponsor the project by paying for grating and asphalting. The path would be Phase One of the Kingman Crossing Regional Trail. When finished, the Regional Trail will be a 12.5-mile loop circling lands east of Kingman. Clockwise from Hualapai Foothill Estates, the trail would go northward under I-40, turn east to Rattle Snake Wash, turn south back under I-40 to a proposed county operated campground, and finally westward back to Hualapai Foothill Estates. Phase One would be a nine foot wide asphalt path that would cut down the middle of an electrical/drainage easement between houses on Pawnee Dr., to the west and Omaha and Blackfoot Drs.,to the east., running one mile south to north from Cheyenne Ave to Southern Ave before continuing on to the new Kingman Crossing commercial development area.
Some of the residents in attendance were welcoming of the path proposa, and some residents were unhappy. Pat Harmel and Barbara Cox who were amongst the first residents to show up for the meeting. “We don’t like it. We like our privacy. I don’t want people around our houses. They got the whole desert to go walk in and ride their bikes in. They don’t need do it next to our yards,” said Cox.
Local businessman Chuck Myers’ backyard would be adjacent to the path. “I have a negative opinion of this project. I think it’s going to bring people to our neighborhood who wouldn’t normally come to this area and put them in harm’s way. I’m concerned about their safety. The biggest problem is where the this path is going to cross Dakota Rd. It’s a blind hill from both directions. It’s extremely dangerous,” said Myers.
A three-page packet detailing the project addressed this concern, revealing that traffic signs would be installed on both sides of the path, alerting drivers to the crossing.
On the opposite side of the opinion coin, resident Kathy Greenwood stated, “For me, I’m very excited about this project because it will bring up property values.”
Wayne DeLong who is currently building a home in the area said, “I would like to see more nicer things come to Kingman. There are some other walking paths that the city has put in and they look nice. If this path this maintained like the others I’ve seen, I don’t think I would have a problem with this one.”
“I think this is a really great project and trails add value to every property in Kingman,” said Meersma. Adding to the value of the trail itself is the fact that it will be an ADA accessible design, a 10- to 12-car parking lot at the Cheyenne entrance, and if needed one will be installed at the Southern Ave., intersection.
It was noted that J2 Engineering, based out of Phoenix, had designed this portion of the trail. Challenges to drainage will be addressed to reduce wash outs and help protect streets from flooding.
“We’ve taken as much precaution as possible to make this path as safe as it can be,” said Angle Homes representative Travin Pennington. An informal vote was taken to see how residents now felt about the project. Half of those who attended were in favor of the new path, a fourth were against it, and fourth abstained from voting. Questions about the project can be directed to Meersman at 928-692-3105.
Estavan Hernandez
