ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County is installing a sidewalk at one entrance to Blanchard Park in Orlando to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Roxie Hanna said the entrance to the park off Dean Road lacks a sidewalk to access the Little Econ Greenway trail.
“When cars are coming in, you have to stay on the roadway,” said Hanna, who has lived by Blanchard Park her entire life.
Hanna said she has had close calls, having to contend with drivers while she walks her dogs or uses rollerblades at the park.
“As somebody who traverses this quite often, you’re taking your life into your own hands most days,” she said.
If drivers get too close, it forces Hanna off on the shoulder.
“It certainly makes sense to have a sidewalk from Dean Road to the parking lot and Little Econ Greenway,” Matt Suedmeyer, manager for the Orange County Parks and Recreation division, said when asked about the issue.
Suedmeyer said he was able to find funding for the project, and now he’s just waiting on the contractor to begin work.
Hanna is relieved a sidewalk will be installed.
“(The sidewalk) would definitely help ease my fears of someone having an accident,” Hanna said.