Unfettered Letters

Bridge walkways needed

The recent death of a pedestrian has once again brought to the forefront the issue of safe bicycle and pedestrian access to Kansas City’s river bridges.

The downtown renewal is outfitting our beautiful city with a vibrant, livable and healthy new downtown space. People are snapping up condos and lofts, and looking for ways to enjoy living without having to use a car.

Did you know that our heritage as a Missouri Riverfront city is actually a hindrance to those who wish to live downtown?

There are no pedestrian walkways or sidewalks to get across any of our bridges. Anyone who has driven across the Broadway Bridge has seen people walking down the middle “catwalk,” little more than a 2-foot-wide section of curb between four lanes of speeding traffic.

When will MoDOT step up and commit to keeping those who walk and bike downtown safe? So many other Midwestern cities have successfully added pedestrian walkways over freeways and rivers, leaving Kansas City on the bench. We need safe walkways across all of our bridges, and we need them now.

Sarah Belanus
Kansas City

Friendliness appreciated

On a recent morning, I was running on Indian Creek trail and was passed by the same biker twice, 30 or 40 minutes apart. The first time, we merely exchanged a friendly nod. The second time, he smiled and exclaimed with utmost sincerity, “You’re doing great!” This biker, of course, didn’t know it, but I am training for a marathon, and I was doing my first 19-mile training run that day. That single cheering comment left me glowing for hours. A little friendliness among strangers goes a long way!

Yitka Winn
Overland Park

Hospital Hill run organizers

I do not presume to know the standards of Windy City public relations. I do know, however, that the disrespectful way that the founders of the Hospital Hill Run were treated these last several months by the new management team and new Chicago race director was unfortunate.
For 33 years, Russ Niemi and Rich Ayers, along with the Mid-America Running Association, put their hearts into the event, creating the premier run that it is. But for them to be so unceremoniously excluded in the 34th year seems contrary to the spirit of the event itself.
Change is inevitable. But to do so in such a callous manner without recognition of MARA and its many volunteers should have been unacceptable to the sponsors of the run.
MARA made a good-faith attempt to continue its relationship with the event. The new race director wanted a revamping, and explained it this way: “The philosophy is all of Kansas City has kind of been going through revitalization, and they (race organizers) felt it was time for the race to go through a revitalization.”
So change sometimes comes with a hiccup. But why not honor MARA at this year’s awards ceremony for its excellence the previous 33 years?
Gene Fox
Lee’s Summit