Columbia Association Unveils New Pathway Signs

Columbia Association has installed several pathway signs around Wilde Lake and Town Center in an attempt to satisfy residents who say they get lost on Columbia's 93.5 miles of pathways.

The new signs, 15 in all, have been installed as part of a pilot program on the north side of Wilde Lake and are designed to guide residents to well-traveled locations such as the Columbia Lakefront.

"The hope is we'll have pathway signage extended along all the primary pathways," said Jan Clark, landscape architect and project manager with CA's Bureau of Community Building and Sustainability.

Clark hoped the addition of well-marked paths as well as posted mileage to locations will encourage people to walk or bike farther and more often.

Over time CA plans to continue to post additional signs on other pathways around the city.

"We're interested in where people think signs should be posted," said Jane Dembner, principal manager for Communinty Building and Sustainability. She added that CA plans to install more signs within the next year, likely near Lake Elkhorn.

The pilot cost $7,400 for the signs and $4,600 for design work, according to CA.

"It's a big bang for the buck project," said Clark.

In addition, CA also launched a new app that features a digital map. The map shows destinations like pathways, sidewalks, playgrounds, tot lots, playing fields, CA buildings and golf courses.

Dembner said CA will be looking for ways to tie-in the app with pathway markings and signage. The app, which also includes information about CA facilities such as telephone numbers, cost CA about $35,000 to develop.

Other improvements to Columbia's pathways are also in the works. In about a year, CA hopes to complete a new pathway addition that would loop Lake Kittamaqundi. CA picked a plan recommended by consultants that loops the lake from where the current dirt trail ends at Kennedy Gardens, around the north section of the lake and connects it with the exiting pathway in front of the Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel.

The cost of that project is estimated to be around $500,000 and will include boardwalks over sensitive wetland areas, according to a report by BayLand environmental designers. The loop will be approximately 2 miles when completed, according to Dembner.

"We're really excited about it," said Dembner.

Additional pathway improvements currently being constructed include modifying curb cuts where pathways meet county roads and widening heavily used pathways to 10-foot wide segments.

Dembner said it's CA's goal to increase the use of Columbia's pathways by residents and visitors.

"We see it as our community infrastructure," said Dembner.

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