The 4,600 feet of South Winnequah from Schluter to Bridge roads is identified as the city plan’s top priority, and as part of a larger reconstruction is being eyed for sidewalks on one or both sides of the street, additional striping, the removal of a handful of “bump-outs” where the street briefly narrows, and the addition of two raised intersections.

Mixed reviews

Opinions on changes to Winnequah and on Monona’s less-than-cozy relationship with sidewalks were varied in interviews with residents along Winnequah last week.

Pat Howell, a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Board and a resident since 1990, said Winnequah is a multipurpose thoroughfare popular with walkers and bicyclists “and it’s tough to make everybody happy with that.”

Although the section of the road where she lives is not slated for sidewalks, she said she wouldn’t mind if they were put in — but preferably only on one side of the street and only if care were taken to route them around trees.

“I have four grandkids and they’re here a lot,” she said. “We walk down to Schluter beach, we go the ice cream shop and we are constantly looking over our shoulder. You really have to be careful. It’s not a comfortable walkway.”