From a crumbling patchwork of broken concrete to a solid stretch of brand-new walkway, the town of Knightsen has seen its pedestrian pathway go from bad to beautiful in recent weeks. The project’s completion comes just in time for Knightsen Days, the town’s biggest annual celebration, set for Sept. 26.
Photo by John Gonzales
Photo by John Gonzales
The same stretch of sidewalk in 2005.
Photo by John Gonzales
Photo by John Gonzales
The entire downtown will be closed off for the event and everyone is invited to a good-old-days get together. The show charges no entry fees for old cars and tractors. Music will be provided by TRP Entertainment. The event also features a raffle for a Chevy extended cab S10 pick up (provided by Groth Chevrolet of Livermore) along with other prizes. Food by Sonjas and the Red Coach Deli will be available.
The Knightsen Garden Club will hold an open house offering an all-day showing of “The History of Knightsen” presentation, Fire Station #94 will be open for the public along with Old Engine #1 on display. And booths operated by the Knightsen Town Advisory Council, Knightsen School Parents Club, Knightsen 4H, and East County Historical Society will provide visitors with information about Knightsen’s past and present. For more information, call 628-8193 or 625-3553.
Contra Costa County was responsible for Knightsen’s sidewalks until 20 years ago, when the Town Council appealed to Supervisor Tom Torlakson, who realized that the downtown walkways were a longstanding hodgepodge laid down by separate building owners. The very first walks were wood. As time passed, the wood was replaced by substandard concrete.
In the early 1990s, a project to bring the walks to current standards in the commercial area resulted in a community block grant supported by the Board of Supervisors and the Knightsen Town Advisory Council. The project replaced sidewalks in half of the commercial area next to the post office.
After many years waiting for the project’s final phase, many citizens voiced concern that the old walkway was out of balance and dangerous. The Knightsen Garden Club Community Center authored an application for the final phase through a block grant. With the support of our current supervisor, Mary Piepho, the application was approved. Before the annual Knightsen Days Car and Tractor Show in September, contractor Wayne E. Swisher Cement has been diligent to complete the project in a three-week period. The project has moved along well and the community is excited to plant new trees and display its new downtown look to all.
– Contributed by John Gonzales
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