Thank you Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Parks and Old Field Farm. This is a huge asset for the Three Village area. This new trail celebrates the historic architecture commissioned by Frank Melville and designed by architect Richard Haviland Smythe.

Three Village residents enjoy a beautiful morning stroll

The safe new trail begins on West Meadow Road, after the Old Field Club at the white gate of the Old Field Farm, and runs around the historic farm, along the shore ending on Trustees Road. In 1931 Long Island philanthropist Ward Melville built Old Field Farm, originally known as the North Shore Horse Show Grounds, on thirteen acres. This is a very special and unique area which has been designated an “outstanding natural coastal area” (ONCA) by New York State. Melville commissioned architect Richard Haviland Smythe to create a unique equestrian facility. The stable complex is composed a main barn and courtyard, numerous free-standing stables and a large old-fashioned wooden grandstand, all designed in the Colonial Revival style. The trail shows the splendor of these beautifully restored horse grounds and allows the public to fully appreciate the natural beauty and architecture of the area. The farm is also home to horse shows, and the trail will be closed during those shows to avoid spooking the horses.

This nearly half-mile trail can be used for walking, running, and biking. There are blind curves on West Meadow Road, and many cars speed, this trail allows walkers, runners, bikers to get to West Meadow Beach off a major part of this dangerous road. Sidewalks For Safety hopes that this trail could go even further and meander along The Old Field Club's, (also Founded by the Melville family in 1929) front lawn around the corner onto Mount Grey Road to end across from Glenwater Road. This would then allow the public to walk safely all the way to the beach from Quaker Path through the Historic community of Old Field South (also founded in 1929 by Frank Melville) where many of the black and white homes are designed by architect Richard Haviland Smythe. Old Field South grounds were designed by the landscape architect firm of Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park. Smythe also designed Stony Brook Village and the schools in the Three Village Central School District and this walk takes the public through this beautiful architecturally important area.

Sidewalks For Safety would like to see a sidewalk connecting West Meadow Beach with The Frank Melville Park, going all the way along West Meadow Road, as the road has become too busy with speeding cars going to the beach. The road is no longer comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists, is full of dangerous blind corners and would allow a beautiful connection and walking tribute to Frank Melville, reducing local traffic on the road and allow residents to walk safely to the beach.

Make Your Child a Live Action Hero

By Herb Mones

Illustration by Elena Sadov

Who wouldn’t want to be an Action Hero! It’s got to be exciting to have super powers, and also be able to save lives! Well, why not give your child the power to see danger, practice personal safety, and even alert companions of imminent threats to their lives.  

Of course, your child knows to walk in the correct direction to the traffic flow, wear bright clothing to easily be seen, and always wear a helmet when biking.  But you can teach your child to be a supersized Action Hero by training them in some other simple, but often untaught skills, when walking or bicycling.

Action Hero Skill #1 - Spot Rolling Dangers

When crossing an intersection, make eye contact with the driver of the stopped vehicle.  Don’t step into the intersection unless you can see that the driver knows you are about to cross the street.  A driver looking in a different direction, or even down at a cell phone, can very likely roll into the intersection with disastrous consequences to anyone crossing the road.

Action Hero Skill #2 - Avoid Blind Vehicles

As cars and trucks are backing out of driveways and parking spaces, the drivers are looking for approaching vehicles, but not necessarily smaller objects - like kids.  An ‘Action Hero’ recognizes the importance of the white-lit backup lights that signal  a vehicle is in its reverse gear. Beware of these vehicles - they are often blind to you.

Action Hero Skill #3 - Cross smart, Not Fast

If you need to run or bicycle quickly across a street to avoid oncoming traffic you are probably putting yourself in danger.  Having to cross quickly usually means the crossing is really unsafe.  A smarter choice is to find a safe, signaled controlled intersection.  Action heroes recognize being smart is more important than being fast.

Action Hero Skill #4 - Use Your Spidey Senses

When you are walking or bicycling, your sense of sight and hearing give you huge powers of understanding your surroundings.  If you are looking at your smart phone, or listening to music with your ear buds, you are sacrificing some special powers that will certainly put you at risk. Walking and bicycling require your full attention.

Action Hero Skill #5 - Have A Safe Space Travel

Safe walking and bicycling on suburban roads is more challenging than ever. There are more cars and they are traveling faster and faster. Drivers sit in their ‘cabins’ and are constantly distracted by the car’s ‘living room features’ – music systems, incoming phone messages, navigational alerts, etc.

For walkers and bicyclists danger constantly exists because there are no sidewalks, and the shoulders of the roadway are very narrow or non-existent.  This means that you are competing for space with 3000 pound cars, or monstrous trucks and buses piloted by distracted drivers.  If that’s not bad enough, today’s vehicles have side mirrors that extend far beyond the vehicles body and pose a special hazard to anyone nearby.  What to do?  Be sure to leave plenty of space between you and the nearby traffic.  This may mean that there are times you need to step off the road surface, or dismount your bike and walk.  By constantly being aware of the need for enough ‘space,’ you will guarantee your future adventures!

“Now shall I walk or shall I ride?
‘Ride,’ Pleasure said;
‘Walk,’ Joy replied. ”

                        — W.H. Davies

Three Village Walkability

IT’S NOT MANY STREETS BUT IT WOULD MAKE A MONUMENTAL DIFFERENCE.

Think about the possibilities of a more connected community. The main roads and more heavily traveled streets in our community are no longer safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. Wouldn't it be great to walk or bike safely to the centers of our community and the many attractions it has to offer? In order to make safer streets for everyone we would like to extend some of the existing sidewalks to certain areas of our town allowing for easier accessibility to West Meadow Beach, the Setauket Neighborhood House, and our area schools. Sidewalks add not only safety but increased value to our homes and a greater sense of community. It's not many streets but a few more sidewalk connections could make a monumental difference to the health of our town.

Thank you to Greg de Bruin for drawing this Sidewalk Map.
Go to: http://gdb.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.htm
Click on the basemap at top left and select and click Topographi to see simple streets background.

1. The map shows existing sidewalks in 3V in green (we have quite a few we just need to connect them)
2. The addition of Safe Routes To School SRTS in orange.
3. Proposed sidewalks in red
4. Proposed paths in state parks in purple
5. 
   

For A Safe Walkable Three Village Community:

• Extend exsisting Christian Ave all the way to Main Street
• Extend Mud Road to Ridgeway Ave (Re-align Mud Road to come into Ridgeway at 90 degrees, eliminating the large sweeping turn. This will make it easier for southbound vehicles to see eastbound traffic, it will slow down vehicles going west to north, and it will make it easier for pedestrians to cross Mud Road)
• Extend Main Street from the Setauket Neighborhood House to 25A
• Ridgeway Ave to Main Street
• Quaker Path from 25A to Lubber Street
• Dyke Road from Main Street along the water
• Trustees Road to Mt Grey Road
• Old Field Road to West Meadow Road
• Old Town Road to WMHS
• Extend existing on Gnarled Hollow Road to Sheep Pasture
• Sheep Pasture to Old Town Road
• Bennets Road to Sheep Pasture Road
• Stony Brook Road from 347 to Stony Brook Village

Then we would have a more connected community. We prefer meandering paths full of trees where possible, but mostly we want to feel comfortable and safe when we walk and bike.

We would love to hear your thoughts.
Which roads do you think need a sidewalk?

Email us: sidewalksforsafetyli@gmail.com


Our community is a beautiful, green area. But did you know that Suffolk County has some of the worst air quality in New York? Allergy and asthma rates are increasing in both children and adults,1 leading to increased healthcare costs and reductions in quality of life. Air pollution is a significant contributor to these health problems. While some of that air pollution comes from power plants across state lines, our own automobile traffic plays a large role in creating the problem. Nationwide, car trips under a mile contribute an estimated 4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions a year.2 By walking or cycling for even some of these short trips, we can reduce the pollutants affecting our local air and the health of our children and seniors, who are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

Noise, particularly noise associated with transportation, is the second most significant (behind air pollution) source of environmental health effects.3 Environmental noise contributes to hearing loss, learning difficulties in children, sleep problems, and even heart disease. Modern cars and trucks are certainly quieter than they once were, but the quietest car is the one parked in the driveway! By making our community more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists, we’ll all benefit from improved air quality and lower noise levels.

1. http://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics
2. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/what-if-we-kept-our-cars-parked-trips-            less-one-mile-0
3. https://www.transportenvironment.org/what-we-do/vehicle-noise

The top 5 benefits of cycling

Going for a ride is good for your heart and muscles, and it may improve how you walk, balance, and climb stairs.

They say you never forget how to ride a bike, so maybe it's time to climb aboard a two- or three-wheeler and enjoy the health benefits of cycling. "It's socially oriented, it's fun, and it gets you outside and exercising," says Dr. Clare Safran-Norton, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Check out the main physical benefits.

1. It's easy on the joints. When you sit on a bike, you put your weight on a pair of bones in the pelvis called the ischial tuberosities, unlike walking, when you put your weight on your legs. "That makes it good for anyone with joint pain or age-related stiffness," says Dr. Safran-Norton.

2. Pushing pedals provides an aerobic workout. That's great for your heart, brain, and blood vessels. Aerobic exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals—which may make you feel young at heart.

3. Cycling builds muscle. In the power phase of pedaling (the downstroke), you use the gluteus muscles in the buttocks, the quadriceps in the thighs, and the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the calves. In the recovery phase (backstroke, up-stroke, and overstroke), you use the hamstrings in the back of the thighs and the flexor muscles in the front of the hips.

Cycling works other muscles, too. You use abdominal muscles to balance and stay upright, and you use your arm and shoulder muscles to hold the handlebars and steer.

4. It helps with everyday activities. "The benefits carry over to balance, walking, standing, endurance, and stair climbing," says Dr. Safran-Norton.

5. Pedaling builds bone. "Resistance activities, such as pushing pedals, pull on the muscles, and then the muscles pull on the bone, which increases bone density," says Dr. Safran-Norton.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-top-5-benefits-of-cycling

Get involved. Help make 3V more walkable.                                 

ATTEND THE UPCOMING 3V COMMUNITY VISIONING MEETINGS:

Setauket Vision, Sat Feb 25, 10 am - 1 pm

HELD AT: STONY BROOK SCHOOL, 1 CHAPMAN PKWY STONY BROOK, KANAS COMMONS

And Saturday, Mar 4, 2017 (2 - 4:30 PM) - All hamlets wrap up

Woman walking on Quaker Path 6:15 on Tuesday Feb 14th

Can they see you?

When walking, we share the road with motor vehicles, bicycles, and other walkers. We usually take for granted that we can walk without incident. But accidents can and do occur. To keep yourself and others safe, it's important to follow the rules of the road. It's mind-boggling that many of the main Three Village Roads are without basic infrastructure like a sidewalk in this day and age. It's even more stunning when you stop to remember that there are schools nearby.

Walk Facing Traffic
If there is no sidewalk and you must walk on the side of the road, choose the side where you are facing oncoming traffic. In North America, this is the left side of the road. This gives you the best chance to see traffic approaching closest to you and take evasive action when needed.
       
Cross Safely
Look both ways before crossing any street. At controlled intersections, it is wise to cross only when you have the pedestrian crossing light, but even then, drivers and bikers may have a green light to turn and won't be expecting you to be in the crosswalk. Make eye contact with any drivers who may be turning. Give them a wave. Make sure they see you. Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks. Always walk when crossing the street – never run! You could trip and fall when running.

Walk Single File
Unless you are on a sidewalk separated from the road or a wide bike lane, you should walk in single file. This is especially important on a road with lots curves, where traffic has only a split second chance of seeing you before hitting you. While it can be enjoyable to walk down the road two to three abreast chatting merrily, drivers don't expect it and you may lose your best walking buddies.
       
Stay Aware of Bikes and Runners
Share the road and path with bikes and runners. Bike riders should alert you when approaching from behind with a bike bell or a "passing on the left/right." Listen for them, and move to walk single file, allowing them to pass safely. Runners should also call out for passing. Bike-walker collisions can result in broken bones or head injury for either — and you aren't wearing a helmet.
   
Be Visible
Wear bright colors when walking in daytime. When walking at night, wear light-colored clothing and reflective clothing or a reflective vest to be visible. Drivers are often not expecting walkers to be out after dark, and you need to give them every chance to see you, even at street crossings that have crossing signals. Be just as cautious at dawn or twilight, as drivers still have limited visibility or may even have the setting or rising sun directly in their eyes.

Wear reflective gear to be seen at night
Don’t wear dark colors, drivers may not recognize you as a human. Your walking clothes should have reflective stripes on the front, back, and down the sides. Many packs and shoes have reflective patches or stripes. Wearing a reflective safety vest is a very good choice to ensure you'll be seen when walking at night.

Use lights
Even if you are walking in an area with streetlights, you may encounter some dark patches. A lightweight flashlight can come in handy. Or, you can wear a headlamp to keep your hands free and not stress your wrists. Look for a model that allows you to adjust the angle of the beam so it will focus where you need it.

Be Predictable
Make a practice of staying on one side of the path while walking rather than weaving randomly from side to side.

Keep the Volume Down
Don't drown out your environment with your headphones. Keep the volume at a level where you can still hear bike bells and warnings from other walkers and runners.

Stop texting and chatting
Chatting or texting on a mobile device while you walk is as dangerous as doing those things while driving. You are distracted and not as aware of your environment. You are less likely to recognize traffic danger, passing joggers and bikers or tripping hazards. Potential criminals see you as a distracted easy target.
       
Walk Dogs on Short Leashes
Don't trip up other walkers or bikers with poor control of your pet. Keep your pet and yourself safe by learning proper leash walking.

By Cyndi Keane

“An Early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day”

                                 — Henry David Thoreau