ShareThe Town of Cumberland has continued to prioritize the safety and walkability of its residents. Located within the community is a heavily traveled and unsafe street without a sidewalk or crosswalk. It also offers no access to the local park and trail system. The Town wanted to install bike and pedestrian lanes, a crosswalk with street art, and a stone trail that would lead to the local trail system and park. Prior to installing permanent assets, the Town of Cumberland wanted to test the viability of the potential assets.
MIBOR REALTOR® Association joined the effort to increase safety and walkability within the Town of Cumberland, and with the help of a Placemaking Grant from the National Association of REALTORS®, the Town of Cumberland was able to install temporary bike and pedestrian lanes, a crosswalk with street art, and a temporary stone trail to the local park.
The importance of creating temporary projects to test the viability of permanent projects continues to ring true. The new temporary assets are already making a difference within the community. The goal of the project was to not only test the viability of the potential assets but to increase safety and walkability for Cumberland residents. Local drivers have slowed down as they approach the beautifully painted crosswalk, and residents enjoy the pop of art in the unexpected place. Residents in the neighborhoods near the project have appreciated the efforts to create a safe place for them to access the park and trail system.
The Town of Cumberland will continue to monitor and maintain the temporary assets. They also plan to apply for a grant through the state of Indiana to upgrade both the local park and the temporary amenities to permanent ones in the coming years.