ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Improvements to pedestrian safety have been made in Albany’s Washington Park. The changes aim to increase the walkability, safety and vibrancy of the City of Albany.
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Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs’ administration has converted the traffic pattern on Washington Park Road to one-way between the Sprague Place entrance and the Englewood Place/State Street entrance. This change improves safety for pedestrians, increases on-street parking, cuts down on vehicular traffic in the park and allows families to more safely navigate the new Washington Park Playground.
“It is important that all residents, from cyclists to runners to drivers, feel that our city is navigable and safe,” said Applyrs.“Our public parks must be conducive with how residents choose to recreate in our city. I am grateful to our Traffic and Engineering Commissioner, Bill Trudeau, for making this vision a reality, and to our community organizations who advocated for this change. My administration is committed to building a livelier Albany, making small, low-cost changes that leave a big impact on our city’s look and feel.”
Parking will now be permitted on both sides of Washington Park Road as part of the change. Message boards placed by the City’s Department of Engineering and currently advertising the change.
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The improvements come after intentional community engagement on the Washington Park Transportation & Pedestrian Improvements Project, or Complete Streets initiative. In 2021, the city initiated a Complete Streets Planning Study for the Washington Park area. The study focused on recommendations that create safe, convenient travel for users of all ages and abilities, regardless of their mode of transportation.
“The Department of Engineering is committed to building a Capital City that reflects the needs of our growing community,” said Director of Traffic Engineering Bill Trudeau. “As more residents enjoy our parks, more visitors attend events in Washington Park, and more people choose Albany as a place to live, we must continue making thoughtful investments in safety and accessibility. These improvements help ensure our parks remain welcoming and functional for everyone who uses them.”…