April 9, 2001
Councilmember Ken Yeager
City of San Jose, District 6
801 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95110
re: Support for "St. Elizabeth" bike/ped bridge
Dear Councilmember Yeager,
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) unanimously voted at our March Board Meeting to reaffirm our support for the proposed bicycle/pedestrian bridge to the Los Gatos Creek Trail in the vicinity of St. Elizabeth St. This bridge is prescribed by the Los Gatos Creek Trail Master Plan (1985) and by the "Greenprint for Parks and Community Facilities and Programs" (the city park strategic plan, 2000). Located about a half block west of Meridian Avenue, this bridge would provide improved trail continuity by connecting the Leigh-to-St.Elizabeth linear park to the on-street bike lanes along Willow Street. The bridge would also provide excellent access from residential and commercial districts to the planned Vasona Corridor light-rail station at the Fruitdale K-mart site. The bridge alignment does not impact residential property, requiring only an easement from any of several businesses along Willow Street. It will improve trail safety by bypassing a congested section of Meridian Avenue, and it will also help alleviate parking impacts at Liebelt Ct. by providing trail users with plentiful on-street parking on the wide and quiet section of Willow St.
WGNA looks forward to working with you and the City to help implement this trail connection, and to improve trail access and the viability of the Vasona Light Rail.
J. Michael Gonzales
WGNA President
cc. Don Hebard, chair, Los Gatos Creek Streamside Park Cmte.
Carla Ruigh, director, San Jose Parks Planning
Jo-Ann Collins, coordinator, San Jose Bicycle Advisory Cmte.