This is today’s “after” shot of the Periwinkle Bikepath south of 21st Avenue after it was cleared of tall grass.
On Saturday the bike and I returned to the paved bikepath alongside Periwinkle Creek. Sure enough, a long section south of Queen Avenue had been cleared of the tall grass that threatened to cover the path before.
I had ridden there on Wednesday to check on a reader’s complaint about the tall grass.
A Linn County sheriff’s work crew that day was working on the section of the path north of Queen.
They had done a thorough job on the north section. And they said they would tackle the southern section next. Also, the Albany Parks Department scheduled a “tractor and flail ” Thursday to get the grass off the path.
On Saturday, on the section I saw the job looked complete. The tall grass was gone, and the path was clear.
And here’s the “before,” taken from more or less the same angle as above on May 29, 2024.
A note about the name of this path:
It’s not just for people on bikes. People obviously walk there too. In the lingo of today’s transportation officials, it is a “multi-use path” also known as a MUP.
But when this route was built in the 1970s with the help of the state highway department, it was built as the “Periwinkle Bikepath.”
That’s what it says on the signs at the Queen Avenue and Oak Street entrances to the path, and that’s why I call it that. (hh)
Another “before” from May 29, 2024.
And the same stretch of the bikepath on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
They worked hard and did a great job! They realize they’ve made mistakes in their lives and know they have to pay for those mistakes. Going out on work crew is a great way to pay back to the community.
Thank you for looking into that and in such a timely manner.
The pictures of before and after were great.
Joanne Johnson
Yes, in most cases, community service — in my humble opinion — is a better way than to incarcerate human beings. Thanks for the reporting!