Community Corner

Woman's Death Prompts New Safety Measures at Lake Arlington

The Arlington Heights Park District names a number of measures it will implement to increase safety at the Lake Arlington path, in light of an accident that led to the death of resident Barbara Pagano.

By Melanie Santostefano

The death of Arlington Heights resident Barbara Pagano resulted from an accident on the Lake Arlington path, and that tragic incident has prompted park district officials to take steps to increase safety for all users.

According to a press release issued late Friday, interim modifications on the Lake Arlington pathway will include:

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  • Bicycles and roller bladers to use the outside of the path in a counter-clockwise direction, allowing right hand turns onto and off from all access points.
  • Walkers and runners, in addition to those with strollers and wheelchairs, to use the inside of the path in a clockwise direction.
  • High visibility signs to be installed to display appropriate user directions on the path, along with speed limits for wheeled uses. Directional arrows also will be stenciled on the path.
  • Increase collaboration between the police department and other local organizations to increase awareness of the need for ‘mutual respect’ between bicyclists and pedestrians. 
  • Informal campaign to be launched meant to raise awareness and increase education of the interim changes, “so that they [users] understand their responsibility in ensuring their own safety and the safety of all users.”

The above list represents initial ideas the park district says it will be “implementing as soon as possible” prior to the capital budget process which begins in fall, the release states.

In October, the park district is planning a public meeting for residents to review permanent modifications to the path, who will be invited to weigh in with suggestions through the park district website.

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The modifications, according to the release, could include revisiting the idea of installing a new concentric, gravel or softer path meant for running and walking. 

That proposal was a part of the bigger-picture $39 million referendum that voters rejected in the fall of 2012.

The 2.8 mile pathway system itself was constructed in the 1990’s, and funded by three separate bike grants totaling $425,000 – which obligates the park district to preserve the path for bicyclists, the release states.


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