Beginning Friday, The Woodlands Township will accept public input regarding its draft pedestrian and bicycle master plan. The township contracted with engineering firm Jones and Carter to complete the plan, which has been under development for nearly one year. Individuals and associations can submit feedback through Sept. 23 via email to John McGowan at [email protected] or by calling 281-210-3800. Individuals may also take an online survey at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ped-bike-plan. An online version of the plan can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ped-bike-plan.

Here are 3 things to know about the draft plan:

1. This plan is the first of its kind for the township and identifies project and program recommendations to be carried out over the next 20 years. The plan evaluated the township’s existing walking, running and bicycling network, as well as the gaps and needs in the system. 2. The plan includes more than $50 million worth of proposed projects that can be carried out over the next two decades. There is a variety of ways to fund these proposed projects, including federal grant programs, partnerships and local budget initiatives. The draft plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term project recommendations throughout the community. 3. There are more than 20 recommended short-term projects in the plan that could be carried out in the next five years. Several recommendations include: a Research Forest Drive bike lane from FM 2978 to Gosling Road; a May Valley Circle sidepath to fill a gap in the connection to FM 2978; and a Lake Woodlands Drive bikepath from Woodlands Parkway to Lakefront Circle.