In an effort to create a more pedestrian-friendly city, the Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission announced the construction of a trail to eventually connect the University with Southern University.
On Aug. 14, BREC announced it received a federal grant of more than $3.7 million for the project, which will link to the existing Downtown Development District’s Downtown Greenway trail. The Downtown Greenway trail connects City Park with Memorial Stadium and the new trail will connect Memorial Stadium with BREC Scotlandville Parkway Park.
The new trail will be built in two phases, with the first connecting Memorial Stadium to Scotlandville Parkway. The second phase will link to Southern University and the downtown area. The University is already connected to the downtown area via the trail system, including the Downtown Greenway.
“This is a real game-changer,” said BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight in a statement. “This trail will make it possible for residents to go between Southern University and LSU on their bicycles or on foot.”
This project is part of a larger mission by BREC and the Capital Area Pathways Project to connect the parish with a series of trails. Its goal is to connect areas of Baton Rouge in a way that makes travel easier and safer for pedestrians and bikers.
Bike Baton Rouge was also involved in the design of this project. A few of their members spent hours riding the area to help BREC map out the route of the future trail.
BREC said the project will cost more than $4.1 million and only 80 percent of the cost is covered by their grant. The remaining $800,000 will be provided by BREC itself.
Baton Rouge is in the process of becoming more biker-friendly with the addition of Baton Rouge Bike Share set to launch this fall. Bike Share will allow customers to use the program long-term or short-term and reservations will be made through an app. The bike-sharing program will offer 50 stations spread throughout the downtown area and both Universities.
For University Students, the new trail could mean better access to downtown, jobs and off-campus housing.
Kinesiology sophomore Jordan Martin said he is especially excited for the new trail because he is one of many students that ride a bike to class every day.
“I love the downtown area, but I very rarely go there because of the traffic,” Martin said. “I feel like I’d probably go there more if I could avoid driving. I live on Burbank and ride my bike everywhere, it’s not really safe at all. I hope they consider putting some trails on this side of town as well.”
