Residents called for better sidewalk safety, improved disabled access, and expanded non-motorized transportation options during a community mingle Aug. 19 at Maple Hall.
Planning Director Ajah Eills and planning commission members hosted the event, which drew about two dozen participants, including residents from the La Conner Retirement Inn. Eills recorded suggestions on Post-it notes and attached them to a large town map.
📌 Actionable fixes
🛠️ Repair cracked and uneven sidewalks
🌿 Trim vegetation blocking walkways
🎨 Paint steps at Gilkey Square for visibility
🚲 Post clearer “no bikes/scooters” signs on the boardwalk
🛑 Add signage at Morris & Maple intersection
Attendees identified both “actionable fixes” and larger projects requiring state Department of Transportation (DOT) traffic studies. Actionable fixes include repairing sidewalk cracks, trimming vegetation encroaching walkways, painting the steps at Gilkey Square, and posting clearer signs prohibiting cycles and scooters on the town boardwalk.
Safety concerns focused on the intersections of Morris and Maple and Sixth and Morris. Residents suggested adding a sidewalk along Road Street between the library and Whatcom Street, exploring a non-motorized downtown shuttle, and occasionally closing First Street to cars.
“I think it went very well,” Eills said. “We got a lot of interesting suggestions and I’m ready to dive deeper into them.” She said her main goal was to compile a list of small projects the town could complete without DOT funding.
“We had many cool suggestions.”
– Ajah Eills, town planning director
Sidewalk safety emerged as a frequent theme. Eills said the Public Works Department regularly monitors sidewalks and streets and Director Brian Lease develops a continuous six-year Traffic Improvement Plan.
(Left) A new sidewalk lines the northeast side of Road Street. (Right) The stretch of Road Street from the library parking lot to Whatcom Street lacks sidewalk. Residents highlighted Road Street as a safety concern during the recent community meeting. Photos by Nancy K. Crowell/La Conner Community News
Cycling challenges also came up. David Alvord, 89, a longtime resident and former Town Council member who now lives at the Retirement Inn, highlighted difficulties for cyclists navigating Road Street and the steep hill near Caledonia Street. “I like to go up to the Pub (on First Street) for coffee now and then,” he said, “and it’s not always easy to go back up the hill.”
Brad Bradford, another Retirement Inn resident who regularly cycles around town, praised the town’s walkability and focus on pedestrian safety.
“It’s the most walkable town in the area,” Bradford said, adding, “when I describe La Conner to people, I tell them it’s the town that paints curbs more than anyplace I know.”
Other residents raised concerns about traffic behavior, like motorists who fail to stop completely at Third and Morris, and others who “blow through” the four-way stop at Sixth and Morris. Suggestions included illuminated stop signs and rumble strips.
The Morris and Maple intersection also drew attention. Although left-turn rules were originally designed for log trucks, residents said the configuration still poses hazards. “It’s a nightmare,” Eills said, noting that any changes would require a traffic study, though additional signage might help.
La Conner resident Mollie Rights pointed out that westbound pedestrians on Center Street, where no sidewalk exists, struggle to see northbound traffic on busy Third Street.
Some attendees supported testing pedestrian-only hours on First Street. “We do it for parades,” said former commissioner Linda Talman. Resident Kathy Shiner pointed to Edmonds’ farmers market, where cars are banned for several hours.
“I’m not super pro-car,” Eills said. “I like walkability. But I think we’d need a much larger community discussion when it comes to pedestrian-only zones.”
Overall, she said the mingle produced valuable feedback. “We had many cool suggestions.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
