Definite progress is obviously being made on the conversion of the Kellar Branch Rail Line to the hiking/biking trail to come. The area of the trail, going north from Glen Avenue, is due to be "laid" in the next few weeks. At least, that's my understanding. The remainder of the trail going through the Heights will not be completed for another year, possibly two, due to lack of Park District funds. Grants have been applied for, and with a little luck, the trail will be laid down next spring or summer. Regardless, it certainly IS going to happen.
When completed, the trail will be an obvious boon to the quality of life in the Village. It also will have a certain impact on our financial viability. Hikers, bikers, runners, everyone who uses the trail will be within a rock's throw of our central business district. The spillover from that is a given. How much impact will it have? Very hard to tell; but, I believe that a conservative guess would be up to a 10% sales increase for a numbers of the businesses in the Heights, during the summer months particularly.
Every positive step that we're able to take, and the Kellar Branch Trail is virtually a leap, all by itself, gets us closer to the community we want to have. Vibrant, safe, affordable, and progressive.
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