One goal of the plan is to better accommodate local events such as Community Day, the Verona Farmers Market, and Movies in the Park. Photo Andrew Stein via Post-Gazette

ATTN Verona Borough and Surrounding Neighborhoods! Good Things Are Coming & Your Input is Crucial

Great news for residents of Verona & surrounding neighborhoods – the municipality is working on some accessibility updates and infrastructure repairs! With a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Walkworks program, the community has gotten together with the goal of improving biking, wheeling, walking, and recreation in the area. The first step is to collect public opinions and input on the matter… so now it’s up to you to participate in the borough’s survey to have your opinions heard.

If you live in, work in, or frequently visit Verona and the surrounding towns, your feedback will directly contribute to the creation of Verona’s Active Transportation Plan, aimed at optimizing recreation, walking and biking pathways, and improving pedestrian access to public transport routes in the area. Verona council member Trish Hredzak-Showalter, who is spearheading the local efforts, also hopes the Active Transportation Plan will “give people the ability to get outside and encourage an active lifestyle.“

Hredzak-Showalter says that locals have already voiced interest in creating a safe walking connections between schools, the library, community events, and to neighboring Oakmont. Other identified issues include safely connecting Verona’s thriving business district to key points within town such as the River Town Shopping Plaza, speeding issues and traffic calming, repairing damaged sidewalks, and increasing accessibility for people with mobility issues as well as for the many residents without cars. The 12-mile VOPP biking and walking trail is also included in the plan, a route that looks to connect Boyce Park with Verona, Oakmont, Plum, and Penn Hills. 

Once the survey & map are complete, a written plan with target initiatives will be sent to council for a vote, with the hopes of starting on the initiatives this year. The document is integral for the municipality to raise the necessary funds to make these improvements.

ACTION NEEDED!

Your input is needed in order to create a transportation system that works for everyone, so please spread the word, share this article, and tell your neighbors to take the survey below!

Residents of Verona and nearby communities are encouraged to complete a survey sharing their feedback by April 30th, 2022.

See something specific that needs attention (such as a crumbling sidewalk or unsafe intersection)? Drop a pin & leave a note via the interactive map.