The Sherry Arnold Walking/Bike Path Valuable Asset to the Community

One of my favorite things to do during the summer is to take family bike rides. Really this has included mostly pushing a stroller or walking a dog for me, but that's perfectly fine because the convenience of our local Sherry Arnold walking/bike path lends itself to all of the above.

About five years ago our family was looking for something to replace our winter-time game night and so we began taking our kids and dog to the walking path. We had recently moved alongside Hwy 16 and no longer had the luxury of sidewalks, so this walking path would be where my two oldest children would learn to ride their bikes. And so it goes... load up the bikes, the stroller, the kids, the dog and we're off! I've always felt that our unloading of all this warranted circus music, but maybe that's part of the fun.

The path that begins at the National Guard Armory, 2190 W Holly St, and ends at Sidney High School, 1012 4th Ave SE, offered my kids a chance to ride at their own pace, knowing they were to turn around once they couldn't see mom and dad. As a parent it is nice to know that they have a safe place to ride away from the streets, so my husband and I could push the stroller and walk our aging black lab.

There are stretching posts, mile markers, and benches to stop and rest along the way. My personal recommendation is to stop and enjoy Fox Creek from Peterson Park, and be sure to venture across the old county bridge which was put to good use over the little creek.

In addition to being a free family outing and good exercise, the walking/bike path offers access to West Side Elementary, Svarre Municipal Pool, the Richland Rangers Hockey Arena, the baseball field at Moose Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Sidney Middle School, the tennis courts at Arboretum Park, and Niehenke Skate Park.

Now there are plans to extend the Sherry Arnold walking/bike path, recently named in honor of the late Sherry Arnold who was an avid runner in the community. The path will be extended an additional 1,200 to 1,500 feet, to 9th Ave, 6th Ave SE, and 14th St, which is a testament to how a single good idea can be added to and enhanced over the years and as it sees change, so do we. This year is the first in many that I've found myself back on a bike! With that, our youngest will be able to enjoy a parent-powered bike ride, and what his brother and sister already love... going faster!