In a recent article in The Valley Breeze, a spokesperson for Dave’s Marketplace expressed interest in expanding their Cumberland, R.I., location and promised to consider the impact on neighbors as they make their plans. Since the expansion seems to be in the early planning stages, as does the addition of sidewalks along busy and winding Bear Hill Road, there is a major opportunity in this alignment to benefit the wider community.

I urge the Cumberland Planning Department to collaborate with Dave’s (as the primary retailer in the plaza), Diamond Hill Properties LLC (the landowner), and Colbea Enterprises, which owns the land between Dave’s and Bear Hill Road, to make this shopping center accessible to the residents of the many neighborhoods along Bear Hill who would like to reach it without relying on a car. I see folks walking along Bear Hill Road and hold my breath for their safety as vehicles whiz by.

When the Four Corners intersection was altered, crosswalks with walk signals were added. I drive through it daily and seldom see walkers attempting to cross. I have tried it myself a few times. The volume of traffic and the number of turning lanes is simply too intimidating. I appreciate the walk signals, but it does not go far enough to make walking here feel safe. I know it’s not just me who wants safer, walkable options.

On Nov. 12, the Cumberland Planning Board held its first public forum to gather input from the community about residents’ visions for Cumberland’s future. Feedback trended toward sustainable development, preserving open space and walkability. Having a separate access point to the Dave’s plaza that avoids the terrifying Four Corners intersection altogether would be a step toward realizing this vision.

When the Bear Hill Road sidewalks are designed, perhaps there is a mechanism for a right of way across the Colbea-owned land to install a fully accessible, well-lit connector between Bear Hill Road and the plaza for walkers, bicyclists, wheelchairs, strollers — everyone. This is a specific solution that aligns precisely with the feedback collected at the comprehensive plan public forum. Done well, it could be a model for real human-scale development that prioritizes the people who live here, not their vehicles.

I respect that projects like these take time to develop and involve detailed discussions between many public and private stakeholders. Why not start now? This solution would create safe, walkable access to shopping and services, reduce the number of additional parking spaces Dave’s expansion might require, and reduce environmental impacts of asphalt expansion and stormwater runoff. Instead of room for more cars, maybe there could be room for trees to provide shade, reduce heat, and absorb water which reduces flooding. And the residents of the area who would like to leave their cars at home, or who may not have a car at all, will have a safer option for reaching the Four Corners area.

Karin Robison is a resident of Cumberland, R.I.