Regional Trails Plan
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Chapter 7.1: Regional Trails Plan C HAPTER 7.1: R EGIONAL T RAILS P LAN Regional Trails Plan In the summer of 2008, Pierce County began a planning process to improve its existing trail system and prepare for future population growth, implementing a key recommendation and project identified in the PROS Plan. Following the recommendations of the PROS planning process, the intent of the regional trail system is to provide recreational opportunities, promote healthier lifestyles, create connections to major developed areas and destinations, and enhance non-motorized transportation options throughout the County. Pierce County P&RS plans for and develops the regional trails system throughout Pierce County. P&RS seeks partnerships with other agencies such as, Pierce County Public Works, Pierce County Water Management, and other cities and towns within the County. The regional trails element of the PROS Plan takes into account the issues, needs and opportunities identified during the planning process regarding on- and off-street trails. It also presents a set of goals and policies, a regional trail concept and a set of trail design guidelines that will assist the County and its departments, as well as other jurisdictions within the County, in creating a regional trails system; improving connectivity between major destinations and throughout the County’s extensive park and recreation system. This section provides an overview of the regional trails planning process. Trails Planning Process The trails planning process involved a four-step approach for developing the plan and was guided by input from the project team and the technical working group in research, analysis and development of individual plan elements. This approach, along with the review and refinement of the inventory, maps and reports ultimately resulted in the final plan. Summarized below is an overview of the four phased planning process. Phase I: Trails Planning Context. The first phase of the planning process included a review of existing County policies and planning documents that address trails. The Planning Context Report (November 2008) summarizes the trail planning efforts conducted by multiple jurisdictions and organizations within the County as well as the planning efforts of neighboring counties. This phase of also involved a review of federal, state and local regulations that relate to trail planning, design and construction of trails. Pierce County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan 101 C HAPTER 7.1: R EGIONAL T RAILS P LAN . Phase II: Trails Inventory and Analysis. Using information and data collected from the previous phase, the planning team created and refined a countywide regional trails inventory, analyzed the existing and planned trails network for gaps, presented alternative trail alignments to close the gaps, classified alignments into a regional trails classification and presented a regional trails system concept. The Needs Assessment Summary Report (May 2009) documents the inventory and analysis phase of the project. Phase III: Trails Plan Development. Based on the first two phases, the planning team developed the core elements of the administrative draft regional trails plan. This included the draft regional trail network, trail goals and policies, trail design guidelines and amenities and costs for development. This phase also included the development of trail project prioritization criteria and the development of a public involvement model that will provide guidance for future trail project implementation. Phase IV: Trails Plan Refinement and Adoption. After the County’s initial review of the Administrative Draft, the final phase of the planning process involved the County’s formal review of the revised Draft Plan. This includes Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings and, a meeting of the Parks & Recreation Citizen Advisory Board. The Draft Plan was then forwarded to the County Council for inclusion in the PROS Plan. The final Regional Trails Plan was adopted by Council as Chapter 7 of the PROS Plan on October 27, 2009. Trails Public Involvement The planning team gathered public input for the plan from the following primary sources. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS), 2008. The Regional Trails Plan is a continuation of the PROS Plan process. Through the PROS planning effort, the public indicated a need for trail facilities for both recreation and transportation purposes. Key findings from the recreation questionnaire indicate that trails are popular among Pierce County residents. The Regional Trails Plan has incorporated several of the findings from the PROS Plan public involvement process. Pierce County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan 102 C HAPTER 7.1: R EGIONAL T RAILS P LAN . Technical Working Group. The TWG was formed to review project materials, provide guidance for the Plan’s direction and to provide technical trails information. This group included County staff and representatives of other agencies including: Parks & Recreation staff, Planning and Land Services, Public Works Transportation, Public Works Water Program, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, City of Tacoma Transportation Planning, the National Park Service, the Foothills Trail Coalition, the Tacoma Wheelmen, the Washington Water Trails Association and other trail advocates and community leaders. The TWG members provided first hand information regarding the existing and proposed trail alignments, as well as desired linkages to meet existing deficiencies in the trail system. The TWG met at key project milestones to provide review, technical advice and input on plan directions. Project Website. A project website was developed using MIG’s Townsquare™ software for use by the planning team and public. The Pierce Regional Trails Plan website (www.piercetrailsplan.org) served as a resource for information about the Plan and was specifically designed for communication between the project team and the TWG. Trails Plan Framework The Trails Plan Framework serves as a guide for the future development of the Pierce County’s regional trails system. This framework is centered on the Regional Trails Plan’s vision which is carried-out by goals and specific policies that will be used to develop a successful and well planned regional trails system. Trails Vision The desired future of the regional trails system has been condensed into a statement that summarizes the vision for the preferred regional trails system. The vision reflects the preferences of Pierce County residents and decision makers, and builds on the efforts of the State of Washington Trails Plan, Goal 2 of Chapter 5 and the strategies outlined in Chapter 6. Pierce County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan 103 C HAPTER 7.1: R EGIONAL T RAILS P LAN The Regional Trail Vision The Pierce County Regional Trails System will be an accessible and seamless trails network used by people of all ages and abilities for recreation and transportation. Pierce County trails will provide users with the opportunity to experience recreation, solitude or companionship, and provide a practical transportation option. It will offer connections to major developed areas and attractions within the County, provide opportunities for appreciation of nature, and connect the County to the greater region. Trail Goals & Policies Goals and policies implement the Plan’s vision and are primarily directed towards the development of the off-street trails network, but in order to develop a comprehensive and seamless trail system on- street trails are included. While goals describe the ultimate outcome of for the regional trails system, policies are more specific and measureable statements designed to achieve the goals. Goals and policies are based on needs and trends discussed throughout this Plan, as well as the direction of the trails planning Technical Working Group. Along with local desires, trail policies must comply with Washington State guidelines. Goal 2A: Healthy Communities Create healthy communities throughout the County by promoting active lifestyles, reducing reliance on personal motor vehicle travel and offering free opportunities for recreation and physical activity. 2A.1. Accommodate all non-motorized transportation modes safely and comfortably. 2A.2. Improve transportation demand management by encouraging use of the regional trails system for commuting. 2A.3. Encourage other County agencies to develop “Complete Streets” that incorporate regional trail routes. Pierce County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan 104 C HAPTER 7.1: R EGIONAL T RAILS P LAN Goal 2B: Accessibility Develop regional trail routes, crossings and trail facilities that are accessible to all. 2B.1. Follow or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) guidelines to ensure equal accessibility for all users. 2B.2. Reduce accessibility barriers and provide safe crossing of the I-5 corridor, railways and other busy transportation routes. Goal 2C: Safety Develop a trail system that is safe for users through the provision of well maintained, visible and open trail corridors and adequate emergency access. 2C.1. Ensure safe trail intersection design based on AASHTO, WSDOT, ADA and ABA guidelines and requirements that takes into consideration visibility, pavement markings, signage, intersection angle, pavement texture, use of color and lighting. 2C.2. Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts and techniques through the design of open and visible corridors for both users and public safety services and personnel.