Fort Collins community prioritizes sidewalk locations for children's access to parks

The NAAPME Board Meeting held by the Colorado Department of Transportation on May 29, 2025, focused on community engagement in infrastructure projects, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.

The meeting began with discussions on a sidewalk project in Fort Collins, where initial plans were based on assumptions about community needs. Board members highlighted the importance of direct communication with residents, revealing that the community expressed a strong desire for sidewalks to facilitate safe access for children to parks, rather than the locations initially proposed by planners.

This exchange underscored the necessity for transportation officials to prioritize community input in future projects. The board acknowledged that understanding the specific needs and preferences of residents is crucial for successful infrastructure development.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to enhance engagement strategies, ensuring that future projects align more closely with the desires of the communities they serve. The board plans to implement more thorough outreach efforts to gather feedback before finalizing project locations.