As an able-bodied college student living in Wallingford, I face the weekly risk of being run over while walking to my local train station. This is due to the lack of a safe pedestrian pathway on our Turner road, where cars often drive at speeds over the legal limit. I can only imagine how much more challenging this journey must be for our elderly residents and children of our community.

Wallingford, Nether Providence Township, PA is home to many who rely on walking and the regional rail as their primary mode of transportation. Yet, we are forced to navigate dangerous roads without proper pedestrian infrastructure. We propose cutting into Furness Park to create a safe walking path that would provide direct access from our neighborhood to essential services like the train station, public library, and even our Highschool, Strath Haven.

Furness Park is the perfect place for a path. While there were efforts to create a path in 2015, the trail does not connect the surrounding neighborhoods to the train station. We need a safe space to walk and a trail along Furness park is the perfect opportunity. The 17-acre public park full of rich plant life is an ideal walking space for the community. 

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrians were one of the few groups who experienced an increase in fatalities in recent years across America. In 2018 alone, there were 6,283 pedestrian deaths which was an increase of 3% from previous year (NHTSA). It's time we take action locally before such tragedy strikes close home.

We call upon local authorities and planners in Nether Providence Township to prioritize this project for the safety and well-being of all residents. Let's make Wallingford not just walkable but also safer for everyone - families, senior citizens and students like me.

Please sign this petition if you believe that everyone in our community deserves safe access to public transportation!