Seymour residents have until Feb. 6 to provide input on the city’s future system of walking and biking trails.

The parks and recreation department has put together a public survey for people to answer questions about their walking and biking habits.

Information gathered from the survey will be used in a new bicycle and pedestrian plan the city is developing, parks director Brent Jameson said. That will help when applying for grants to help pay for trails and when marketing the project.

“This will lay the foundation for a network of well-connected walking and biking facilities throughout the city,” he said.

The 15-question survey asks how often participants walk at least a half-mile or ride a bicycle, if they want to walk or bike more and if they walk or bike mostly for transportation or recreation.

It also allows people to identify what features make good areas for walking and bicycling, such as the presence of sidewalks or designated bike lanes, volume of traffic, lighting and availability of benches, secure bike parking and shade.

Surveys can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/s/seymourplan, or paper forms are available at Seymour City Hall, 301 N. Chestnut St.

Jameson said public involvement with the plan is crucial for the project’s success.

The trails are for the community, so it’s up to the community to get involved with planning and designing them, he said.

Eventually, Jameson would like to see people be able to walk or ride a bike safely on designated trails to local restaurants and shops and to work, school and church.

The network of trails also would help connect neighborhoods and give people an alternative and environmentally friendly mode of transportation along with increasing opportunities for outdoor exercise.

“The city of Seymour recognizes the social, economic and environmental benefit of a well-planned network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities for all city residents and visitors,” Jameson said.

To learn more about the plan and to help city leaders map out the best bicycle and pedestrian routes, a public workshop will be conducted from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at city hall.

The meeting will be interactive and help engage the public in the project.

“Whether or not you are already an avid cyclist or walker, we need your input,” Jameson said.

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What: Public workshop to plan for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in Seymour

Where: Seymour City Hall, 301 N. Chestnut St.

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22

Information: Call the Seymour Parks and Recreation Department at 812-522-6420

An online survey to get the public involved in the planning of bicycle and pedestrian trails is available at surveymonkey.com/s/seymourplan. Paper surveys are available at city hall.

The deadline to take the survey is Feb. 6.

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