Just like any parent, Katherine Norris would love her kids to spend more time outside, but with no sidewalks in her northeast Cape Coral neighborhood, it makes it hard.
“It’s definitely a danger. There are a lot of kids in this area, and as you know, we are growing constantly,” said Norris.
It's part of the reason she created United for Change. The non-profit is fighting to get safer bus stops in Lee County.
"More people are coming into this area and we need to be keeping up with the safety of that," said Norris.
The City of Cape Coral says they are putting $3.5 million towards sidewalk expansion-- the largest investment ever made in a single budget year. The funding will toward sidewalks in the following locations:
- SW 32nd Street (Oasis South - Surfside to Chiquita)
- Suntrail Phase 2
- SW Santa Barbara Pl (Nicholas Pkwy to SW 20th Street)
- Nelson Road (SW 1st Street to Tropicana)
- El Dorado Blvd (Mariner - Embers Parkway to Tropicana Parkway)
- Embers Parkway (Old Burnt Store Road to Nicholas Parkway)
The city declined to do an on-camera interview with us, but told us in a statement:
"Public safety remains a cornerstone of the city's priorities...these sidewalk expansions are specifically aimed at promoting safer pedestrian access, particularly around school areas, and improving overall community connectivity."