Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Crossing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sixth-grader urges amphibian-friendly design for Thompson Road sidewalk project
Summary
Colin Barthel, a sixth grader, told Avon Town Council volunteers cross hundreds of frogs on local roads and asked architects to consider wildlife-friendly crossings in the Thompson Road sidewalk design to prevent roadkill.
At the March 31 meeting, sixth grader Colin Barthel told the Avon Town Council about his volunteer ‘Big Night’ amphibian crossings, reporting volunteers once helped 242 frogs across a stretch of Thompson Road in one hour and urging that sidewalk designs near the vernal pool incorporate features to protect amphibians.
"That evening we crossed 242 frogs in one hour," Barthel told the council, and he described earlier counts that included 65 dead frogs along a stretch of Thompson Road. He suggested several design approaches used elsewhere — tunnels, winged bridge walls, and angled or no-curb treatments — and cited the Federal Highway Administration’s Wildlife Crossing Structure Handbook as a resource for architects.
Council members thanked Barthel for speaking. Mrs. Barthel clarified the vernal pool location on Thompson Road and Ms. Ausiello acknowledged such structures have been used in other towns. The council asked staff and project architects to consider the vernal pool area during Thompson Road design work and noted an opportunity to review designs before finalized plans are set.
