Safe transportation to and from Richmond’s new aquatic center at Lake Reba Recreational Complex has been a concern voiced by many citizens since the beginning of the facility’s planning stages.

The issue of safety has been out back on the table after the tragic and untimely death of 15-year-old Maggie Katherine Cole, who was struck by a vehicle Nov. 21 while she was trying to cross the Eastern Bypass.

Cole died Nov. 22 in the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

The Richmond City Commission and aquatic center personnel often have mentioned putting together a shuttle plan for children who live beyond reasonable walking distance of the aquatic center.

However, a class at Eastern Kentucky University could be on to something.

Students in Alice Jones’ geography class, GEO 325: Environmental Land Use Planning, have lent a hand to the city and county in creating walkways and bikeways.

The class participated in a five-month-long study and students have created maps of bikeways and walkways for Richmond, Berea, EKU campus and areas beyond city limits under the county’s jurisdiction.

The “Madison County Bikeways and Greenways Plan,” which began as a service-learning project for the students, could be the answer to many concerns.

One of the suggested paths safely connects the EKU campus to Wal-Mart, which would include a safe way of crossing the Eastern Bypass.

“I think that’s really the highlight with the unfortunate death of this young woman,” said Jones, who also is planning program coordinator for the EKU Department of Geography.

“My curricular outcome was teaching them the planning process, how you go about community planning, gathering community input and heard from stakeholders as well,” Jones said. “The pool is another destination that a lot of people have identified as a concern. We’re looking at what would be safe, economically feasible and students are gathering cost estimates from contractors.”

Plans for transportation across the Eastern Bypass needs to be part of the aquatic center’s planning to provide transportation “to the people who are most likely to use it,” Jones said. “It is a concern and it needs to be front and center. In my professional opinion, planning the access to the center needed to be front and center. The ones you attract to it are the ones who are going to be in the most danger getting to it.”

The class project contains several components, including: demographics and historic features of Madison County, Richmond and Berea, a summarization of the project’s purpose, need and benefits of having biking and walking trails.

One component of the study called for students to hit the pavement in their best walking shoes and set out to conquer a list of several trips that reflect errands that many EKU, on-campus students face every day.

Students set out to: Renew their driver’s license, cash a check, buy food at a grocery store, mail a letter, visit downtown offices, purchase a birthday card, go to a movie, a nice sit-down restaurant and find the perfect fishing spot.

“Many students in the class found this to be one of the most difficult field work assignments in the class,” according to the report. “It set the stage for the level of difficulty of the class project as a whole.”

The class collaborated with Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson, the Madison County Planning Commission, Berea City Council and worked closely with the Madison County Greenways and Trails Association.

They also conducted a series of public meetings to include input from county residents, stakeholders and also have been getting the thoughts of Madison County students.

Litany Webster, a student who participated in the study, has visited several Madison County schools to give students a survey to see what they would like. The children also are able to draw a desired route on a large city map that Webster provides during her presentation.

“We want them to be able to use this so we wanted their input,” Webster said. “This will give them a way to get out and enjoy themselves. They don’t have a place where they can go ride their bikes and be safe.”

The Richmond City Commission heard several ideas for biking and walking routes earlier this year at a public forum to review the city’s comprehensive plan.

The students’ study has not yet been submitted to the commission, but Richmond City Manager David Evans said the city is quite interested in the study’s information.

“They’ll take their time to look at it because there is a lot of information,” Evans said. “We always like to look for new ideas and suggestions on how to enhance things.”

The commission has been discussing ideas about safe transportation to and from the aquatic center, and are getting closer to being able to provide that service for pool patrons.

“We’ve already talked to Kentucky River Foothills and they’re going to be (providing) a bus then the pool opens,” Evans said. “There will be a bus service to the pool. Right now, it’s a dollar a day (round trip).”

There will be further discussion about whether or not the bus service could be offered free of charge.

A 40-page, in-depth study such as the one produced by the geography class in about four months, normally would have been an eight-month process, Jones said.

“These students have worked harder on this project than any project I’ve done (with students),” she said. “It’s their plan. It’s not mind. They have every right to be proud of it.”

For a a copy of the comprehensive study, send an e-mail to madisonkytrails@yahoo.com.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.