We received an email from a Friend of the Park Rag regarding our earlier article on a rail up Parley’s Canyon. We had said that County Council Member Chris Robinson’s explanation of the route being owned by the federal government, and the fact that it wasn’t at capacity, made sense why we shouldn’t expect light rail from the airport to Park City.
Our Friend replied:
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If people want to dream of rail through the mountains we might as well dream of rail over the mountains. What’s the harm? As Daniel Burnham said:
[su_quote]Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistence.[/su_quote]
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Touche’. Perhaps we are too cynical. More importantly, we fear we are sounding too much like our father.
So, here’s to you. Our Dreamer. We hope you are right.
1 comment
Some comments on transportation as it relates to the Mountain Accord preliminary blueprint:
* We’ve lost the narrative regarding cost-effectiveness. We should focus on doing what’s cheap, easy, flexible, and effective first, before committing large sums to grandiose projects.
* As regards the Front canyons: ban non-canyon-resident cars on busy days (weekends, etc.). If a ban is too much, then charge a high day-use fee ($20-$50) per vehicle. Run high-frequency, high-capacity buses up/down each. Those buses must connect with either or both (1) SL valley transit and (2) park/ride locations (schools, etc.).
* As regards Parleys: run high-frequency buses that connect seamlessly with SL valley transit (light rail) and with Park City / Summit county bus lines. I’d use the bus today if it ran frequently enough and late enough.
* See Human Transit by Jarrett Walker. Or check out his blog: http://www.humantransit.org. Our issue with buses is frequency and predictability.
* See High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/business/economy/15view.html?_r=0). We need to recognize the societal costs of parking and recoup those costs. Get folks out of their cars!