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Ward Parkway Walking and Biking Safety Improvements: 55th to 75th Street

From "Bikeways and Trail Plan"

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Reduce Ward Parkway from three travel lanes to two in each direction between 55th and 75th Street and use the additional roadway space for dedicated bike lanes, while preserving the landscaped median.

Ward Parkway is already heavily used for walking, running, and cycling, and improvements should make it easier and safer for pedestrians to move along and cross the street. This could include improved crosswalks, pedestrian lighting, and safer connections between neighborhoods, parks, and other facilities along Ward Parkway.

Improving crossings would also make parks and facilities on either side of Ward Parkway more accessible to nearby residents who currently have limited safe opportunities to cross.

Any changes should preserve Ward Parkway’s trees, landscaping, and historic boulevard character while creating a safer and more comfortable route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Comments(9)

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Profile of Daniel Mattox
Posted by:Daniel Mattox
4 weeks ago
I like this idea. I would be willing to let the median get the trail put in the middle. I believe it could be designed to keep the nice aesthetic and perhaps even improve it. A nice cycling / multi-use trail in the middle could make that whole Parkway perhaps feel more like a real "park". That could be a compromise if we can't hope to get a lane reduction to have a safe bike path connecting Country Club Plaza down to the Mall on 85th.
    Profile of Vinny P
    Posted by:Vinny P
    3 weeks ago
    @Daniel Mattox My concern with putting a trail in the median is that it could mean cutting down trees, reducing landscaped areas, and relocating sculptures or other landmarks. I’d rather preserve the median and use existing roadway space for bike infrastructure. Reconfiguring the roadway could also encourage drivers to actually follow the posted speed limit instead of treating Ward Parkway like a highway.
    • 1 like
    Profile of Daniel Mattox
    Posted by:Daniel Mattox
    3 weeks ago
    @Vinny P Yep, I agree. That is also the desired / optimum solution! But if the cars win out, I would consider the path in the center. I think it could be made to avoid most of those items.
      Profile of Alex M
      Posted by:Alex M
      1 month ago
      Strongly support this. Ward Parkway serves a large residential area, but the transportation still prioritizes through traffic over people trying to walk or bike between neighborhoods, parks, schools, and businesses. A redesign that reallocates excess roadway space and improves safe crossings would make this corridor much more useful to the people who actually live along it.
      • 1 like
      Profile of Eleni Konstas
      Posted by:Eleni Konstas
      1 month ago
      Extending to 85th would allow for more pedestrian access to the mall area as well.
      • 1 like
      Profile of Daniel Mattox
      Posted by:Daniel Mattox
      4 weeks ago
      @Eleni Konstas I like this idea. I like everyone probably wishes that this possible bicycling infrastructure could reach as well all the way North past 55th and go all the way to Country Club Plaza, then it delivers the path all the way to two prime destinations and connects to the Mall down on 85th.
        Profile of Matt Morrison
        Posted by:Matt Morrison
        2 months ago
        Speed limit enforcement is necessary, too. Motorists speed through here, which would likely discourage interested pedestrians/bicyclists from using even protected lanes.
        • 2 likes
        Profile of Vinny P
        Posted by:Vinny P
        2 months ago
        @Matt Morrison I agree that speed enforcement is important, but I actually think the existing level of pedestrian and bicycle use makes the need more urgent. People are already walking, running, biking, and accessing parks along Ward Parkway despite the current traffic speeds. The goal should be to make that existing activity safer and more accessible, not assume people will avoid the area because of speeding.
        • 4 likes
        Profile of Josh Albarelli
        Posted by:Josh Albarelli
        1 month ago
        @Matt Morrison Road narrowing is a great strategy for slowing down traffic.
        • 4 likes

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        Profile of Vinny PVinny P on August 20, 2026

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