My suggestion would be to let the Village of Shorewood Hills know how you feel, although it's possible this is out of their hands as well. I have heard some conversations about this from Village officials, and I think they are not pleased with the fence either.
The parking lot in question - the one immediately off University Bay Drive - is private property, so the owners can pretty much do what they want. I'm not saying it all that friendly or the best solution to the problem of a gap in the path system, just that it's probably legal. I'm theorizing a bit here, but here's my best guess as to how this came about. 1. Campus Dr Path opens, and there is a rise in bicyclists suddenly finding themselves at the "end." Many of these bicyclists see a parking lot, and know there is a path on the other side of University Station, so they use parking lot as a cut through. (As a neighbor of the area, I can assure you that pedestrians have been doing the same for years.) 2. Employees, or other daily users of the parking lot complain to the owners of the lot that, "There's all these bicyclists, and I'm afraid I'm going to hit one backing out. They're whizzing through, and it's dangerous." 3. Owner of lot is worried over liability issues, so erects a fence to keep bicyclists from cutting through lot. Shorewood Hills is committed to making sure there is continuous bicycle and pedestrian accommodations through this area, but they do not own the property in question, and connections take time. There is currently a redevelopment and street right of way plan for Marshall Court - the street to the north - working it's way through the Village process. The Village would like to have a path along the RR right of way, but there are various barriers, both physical and legal. It's going to be a few years before there is a good connection. In the meantime, I think addressing your concerns to the Village Board and Karl Franz, the Village Administrator, would probably do the most good. They may be able to work out an agreement with the parking lot owner. Robbie
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