Quotes from the community

Comments on Safety

• “The statue in the park was hit by a car. A car crashed into Gari sushi. People drive way too fast, and intersections are not safe; modern safety and vibrancy features should be built in.”
• “The traffic is terrible. Out of towners racing through with no thought to pedestrian safety.”
• “My children are very young, and safety while walking or bicycling is my priority.”
• “I have little kids, and I want them to ride their bikes more.”
• “I want to bike more! And do not feel comfortable now biking in downtown Needham to shop and go to restaurants.”

Comments on Vibrancy

• “A safer and more vibrant downtown will enhance the commercial tax base for Needham. Let’s build a downtown in Needham for Needham, not long- distance commuters.”
• “I want Needham town center to be a pleasant place to spend time. I want people to feel like they can spend 3 hours downtown and visit 5 different businesses. I want local restaurants and shops that can succeed in our town. I want fewer banks and personal training studios. This will all help build our sense of community and increase the quality of all our lives.”
• “More vibrant so that family and friends have more reason to work, shop, and socialize here…no need to go to other towns”
• “It could be prettier. It needs more trees desperately.”

Desired Improvements

• “Open space where you aren’t drowning in noise from nearby cars going 30mph. Long and wide sidewalks where you can stroll comfortably.”
• “More outdoor dining areas. More community spaces. More accessibility getting into and around downtown (i.e., pedestrian plazas - do cars need to go down every street?). More density.”
• “My biggest issue is that the crosswalks force pedestrians to wait a long time. Sometimes several minutes, which is tough, especially in the winter. I wish the timing of the crosswalks were more responsive to pedestrians.”
• “It would be great if downtown had more benches to allow older people to get around and have places to stop & rest (other than outside of Abbotts and the town green)”
• “wider sidewalks, better variety of businesses (specifically places to BE rather than just go for a quick shopping trip - bookstores, a cinema, an arcade, a brewery, things like that).”
• “Less traffic, quieter areas to sit and talk, read a book.”
• “More stores …like everything in Wellesley.”

Biking

Many people want to bike but do not feel comfortable doing so today. While many respondents said they want to, would, or would support biking downtown, approximately 75% reported that they never bike downtown, and only about 6% bike regularly. Respondents said:

• “I want to bike more! And do not feel comfortable now biking in downtown Needham to shop and go to restaurants.”
• “I have little kids, and I want them to ride their bikes more.”
• “It’s fine for pedestrians. I wouldn’t ride a bike there.”
• A better experience would look like “Bike lanes.”
• “I never bike there because I need to bike on major roads, and there are too many distracted drivers.”

We see this as a sign that proper cycling infrastructure will bring many residents to bike in the downtown area.