Over the Back Fence: Mariposa Connections, conclusion

In this column last Saturday I introduced you to the Mariposa Transit Center Feasibility Study. Today’s column concludes with the second half. In the future I’ll give periodic updates. And when our town gets a transit makeover, you’ll have a new reason to visit us.

At the Town Hall meeting on Aug. 19, Kevin Cann, the Mariposa County District 4 supervisor, told those in attendance: “This isn’t just about parking. The study focuses on the confluence of residents and commuters, as well as visitors to our community.”

In addition to Cann, Brian Foucht, deputy director with Mariposa Planning, Matt Boyer and John Clerici, both project consultants, took turns speaking. The meeting was then opened for discussion.

“We need the community’s thoughts and ideas to ensure the best possible project for our community,” Cann said. “Bringing together business, tourism, arts, historic preservation, education and the community at-large will result in solutions that will truly serve the downtown historic district and all of Mariposa.”

The needs range from smoother pathways for motorized, bicycle and pedestrian traffic, improved access to government buildings, hotels, restaurants and historic sites, as well as providing easy access for visitors during event weekends (such as the Butterfly Festival and Trans Valley Youth Football League – annual events that bring hundreds of visitors to the town).

Other issues must also be considered, such as public works, local schools, future economic development and historic land preservation.

During the meeting, those in attendance were invited to provide initial and continual feedback as preparations are made to assemble background information and identify issues addressed in the study.

Key points are: identifying the best and most feasible range of transportation improvements for improving visitor and resident access to downtown; enabling coordination with Yosemite National Park transportation; providing improved parking and other facilities, which will better serve the community.

The overall goal is to establish Mariposa as a destination and the transportation hub within the county by improving local and regional connectivity.

A survey sheet was handed out along with other informational materials. Many suggestions were given.

Other concerns include historically appropriate street lighting, more sidewalks, bicycle paths, small clusters of parking spaces near the main street and larger parking areas around town, and developing transportation options for connecting outlying areas (such as the hospital, airport, fairgrounds and the county’s human resources building) to the downtown area.

The Citizens Advisory Committee began holding monthly meetings in July. This group will work to increase community engagement.

Committee members Cara Goger, the Mariposa County Arts Council executive director, and Noel Morrison, communications manager with Yosemite/Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, are creating a project logo design. Some panel members are talking to representatives of local organizations and festival committees to help publicize the project.

The Aug. 19 meeting was the first of five town hall-style meetings to be held in the next nine months.

The study timeline for Phase I began last month and will extend through March. Four more public meetings will be scheduled at various dates. A walking tour is tentatively set for Sept. 19.

This first phase includes the project kickoff, a background/issue identification report, preliminary issues/options and feasibility, sketch plans/options and alternatives analysis.

Phase II will center on site selection(s), phased implementation, preliminary design and the financial plan.

Phase III will include environmental studies, final design and construction.

A website will be set up for community input and participation. Until then, detailed information is available at the county website: www.mariposacounty.org/index.aspx?NID=1478.

Beth Tomsick attended the Town Hall meeting and spoke up during the discussion: “A French guidebook called ‘Le Guide du Routard’ (The Backpacker’s Guide) describes Mariposa as ‘an adorable village of the West.’”

Tomsick taught French at Mariposa County High School for more than 20 years and has been a member of the local French Club since its inception in 1981. She and her husband visit France frequently.

She told me later, “The people who come from other countries to visit Yosemite remember Mariposa as a true Far West town.”

In her travels she continually hears comments about Mariposa’s western character and ambiance.

“I wanted to get this characterization of our town across from the point of view of a foreigner,” Tomsick said. “We don't want to lose the qualities that make us picturesque.”

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Over the Back Fence: Mariposa Connections, conclusion."