Erie Lackawanna Trail Measuring the Health, Economic, and Community Impacts of Trails in Indiana

2017 Indiana Trails Study Erie Lackawanna Trail Measuring the Health, Economic, and Community Impacts of Trails in Indiana

Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands 501 N. Morton St., Suite 101, Bloomington IN 47404 www.eppley.org

2017 Indiana Trails Study Erie Lackawanna Trail

Sponsors Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington Greenways Foundation of Indiana

George and Frances Ball Foundation

Completed by Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands Stephen A. W olter Co-Principal Investigator William D. Ramos Co-Principal Investigator

Project Associates/ Research Team Layne Elliott, Project Manager Abbas Smiley, Statistical Consultant Sara Suhaibani

May 31, 2018

This report is the property of the Trustees of Indiana University on behalf of the Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands. It may not be duplicated or used in any way without written permission of Indiana University.

Cite as: Wolter, S., Elliott, L., Ramos, W., Smiley, A., Suhaibani, S. (2018). Summary report: 2017 Indiana trails study. Bloomington, IN. Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana University. Erie Lackawanna Trail iii Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii Background 1 Erie Lackawanna Trail 2 Description of the Trail 2 Trail Map 3 Study Methods 4 Selection of Participant Trails 4 Trail Use Counts 5 Survey Recruitment 6 Findings 7 Trail Use Factors 7 Trail Activity 7 Access 10 Social Factors 14 Reasons for Trail Usage 15 Concerns and Problems 20 Physical Activity Factors 27 Economic Factors 30 Demographic Factors 31 Trail Counters 35 Summary and Conclusions 37 References 39

iv 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table of Figures

Table 1: Study Timeline 6 Table 2: What Type of Activity do You Mostly Do on the Trail? 7 Table 3: Distance, Time, and Days per Week of Primary Activity 8 Table 4: Is There a Second Activity that You Do on the Trail? 8 Table 5: What is the Second Activity You Do on the Trail? 9 Table 6: Distance, Time, and Days per Week of Secondary Activity 9 Table 7: On Most Days, Where Do You Usually Come from to Get to the Trail? 10 Table 8: On Most Days How do You Get to the Trail? 11 Table 9: How Far do You Travel to Use the Trail? 11 Table 10: If You Were to Walk to the Trail, How Long Would It Take You? 13 Table 11: How Long Have You Been Using the Trail? 13 Table 12: While On the Trail do You Usually Use it… 14 Table 13: Who do You Usually Use the Trail With? 14 Table 14: What Time of the Day do You Usually Use the Trail? 15 Table 15: What is the Primary Reason You Use This Trail Instead of Other Facilities? 16 Table 16: Scenery (Beauty of Environment) 17 Table 17: Terrain (Flat, Paved, etc.) 17 Table 18: Access (No Cost Associated With Use) 18 Table 19: Convenience (Location) 18 Table 20: Friendly Atmosphere (Social Environment) 19 Table 21: Accessible Features (Ease of Entry/exit, Seating, Surface, etc.) 19 Table 22: Outdoor (Environment/Access to Nature) 19 Table 23: Safety 20 Table 24: Parking (Lack of, or Cost) 21 Table 25: Accessibility of the Trail 21 Table 26: Location 22 Table 27: Facilities (Restrooms, Water Fountains) 22 Table 28: Maintenance 22 Table 29: Space/Congestion on the Trail 23 Table 30: Fear of Injury 23 Table 31: Bikers/Skaters Going Too Fast 23 Table 32: Police Presence 24 Table 33: Adequate Signage 24 Table 34: Visibility of Distance / Mile Markers 24 Table 35: Unleashed Pets 25 Erie Lackawanna Trail v Table 36: Wild Animals 25 Table 37: What Concerns You Most About the Trail? 26 Table 38: Did You Exercise Regularly (Three or More Times per Week for 20 Minutes per Session) Before Using a Trail? 27 Table 39: Since Beginning to Use a Trail, Has the Amount of Exercise that You Do... 27 Table 40: Since Using the Trail, Approximately how Much has Your Exercise Level Increased? 28 Table 41: Physical Activities in the Past Month, Apart from Your Trail Activities 28 Table 42: Time Spent Doing Physical Activities Altogether 29 Table 43: For the Items Listed Below, Please Indicate Your Amount Spent on the Day You Used the Trail and also Your Estimated Annual Spending 30 Table 44: Age 31 Table 45: Gender 31 Table 46: Race/Ethnic Origin 32 Table 47: Marital Status 32 Table 48: Employment Status 33 Table 49: Employment Satisfaction 33 Table 50: Educational Attainment 34 Table 51: Household Income Level 34 Table 52: Erie Lackawanna Trail monthly counts 35 Table 53: Erie Lackawanna average daily count 36 Table 54: Erie Lackawanna average hourly count 36

Figure 1: Location of Indiana Trails Study participating trails 5 Figure 2: Trailhead shelter- Erie Lackawanna Trail 10 Figure 3: Erie Lackawanna Trail in Schererville 13 Figure 4: Erie Lackawanna Trail at Calumet Ave. in Hammond 12 Figure 5 : Interpretive panel on the Erie Lackawanna Trail 16 Figure 6: Arbogast Ave. trailhead in Grifith 18 Figure 7: Bridge crossing at Southeastern and Columbia Avenues 21 Figure 8: Bikers on the Erie Lackawanna Trail 27 Figure 9: Trail plaza in Griffith 32 Figure 10: Summit St. trailhead in Crown Point- trail counter location 37

vi 2017 Indiana Trail Study Acknowledgements

Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission Mitch Barloga, Active Transportation Manager Leslie Phemister, Active Transportation Alliance

Trails Study Advisory Group Mitch Barloga- Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Karen Bohn- Greenways Foundation of Indiana Bob Bronson- Indiana Department of Natural Resources Angie Pool- Cardinal Greenways, Inc. Dawn Ritchie- Fort Wayne Public Works Division Rory Robinson- National Park Service Yvette Rollins- Greenways Foundation of Indiana

Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands Hana Cleveland Gina Depper Layne Elliott Derek Herrmann Crystal Howell Matthew Johnson Kevin Naaman Katy Patrick Elizabeth Sherrill Abbas Smiley Sara Suhaibani Stephen Wolter Stefanie Wong

Erie Lackawanna Trail vii

2017 Indiana Trails Study Background

Multi-use trails are becoming a popular initiative across the country, as they provide recreational and health opportunities for users. In Indiana, a Trails Advisory Board was established by the Director of the Indiana Depart- ment of Natural Resources (“Indiana Trails Advisory Board” n.d.) in June 1994. An Advisory Board was formed to make recommendations regarding planning for and implementing multi-use trails and to allow Indiana to apply for funding from the federal Recreational Trails Program. The majority of Indiana trails are built with a mix of state and federal funding. This funding has resulted in more than 3,500 miles of public multipurpose trails, all of which contribute to Indiana’s State Trails Plan goal of provid- ing a trail within five miles of every Indiana resident. The state’s commitment to reaching this goal has led to an increase in the level of trail access from 70% of residents in 2006 to 94.4% of residents in 2017 (“Indiana State Trails Plan” 2017). Due to the rapid increase of trails in the state, a thorough investigation of trail use, trends, benefits, and attitudes of trail users and trail neighbors became necessary. The Indiana Trails Study was developed to gather and better understand information on trail use and its benefits. The first Indiana Trails Study, published in 2001, described findings from a six-trail study utilizing trail traffic data, surveys of trail users, surveys of trail neighbors, and a review of other relevant studies. The 2017 Indiana Trails Study, which included three of the trails from the original study, uses the same methods, along with surveys of a control group of non-trail users, and includes information on the following: trail use levels; trail management practices; the opinions of trail users, non-users, and neighbors; and data related to trails’ impact on public health and state and local economies.

Erie Lackawanna Trail 1 Erie Lackawanna Trail

Description of the Trail The Erie Lackawanna Trail, located in Lake County, Indiana, is the longest contiguous trail in northwest Indiana. The 17.7-mile-long trail starts at Dan Rabin Plaza in Hammond and heads south through the communities of Highland, Griffith, Schererville before terminating at Summit Street in the county seat of Crown Point. The trail also runs along the east side of Wicker Park in North Township, just south of Hammond. Erie Lackawanna Trail is a rail trail built along the bed of the former Erie Lackawanna Railway. The original Erie Lackawanna right-of-way was an important freight route through Lake County, although with the decline of railroad traffic in the United States the line was abandoned in 1986. After it was abandoned, plans were made by Hammond’s Parks and Recreation Department to develop the former right-of-way into a trail system. The first portions of the Erie Lackawanna Trail were created in the mid-1990s and have been continually extended since then. Today, the trail is a multi-use path, complete with trailheads, park amenities, and local attractions nearby. The trail is also a part of U.S. Bicycle Route 36, one of the designated national “bike highways” that are part of the United States Bicycle Route System, the national cycling route network of the United States. In addition, the American Discovery Trail, a national coast-to-coast hiking network, is routed along the Erie Lackawanna Trail from Highland to Crown Point.

2 2017 Indiana Trail Study Trail Map

Erie Lackawanna Trail 3 Study Methods

The Indiana state government and local communities have made a significant commitment to build, operate, and maintain trails. The benefits of the policy and implementation of a state-wide trail system are often stated based on evaluation, comments, and research on a national level. Indiana is unique in that it began a state-wide study in 2000, the first Indiana Trails Study, which described findings from a six-trail study utilizing trail traffic data, surveys of trail users, surveys of trail neighbors, and a review of other relevant studies. The first Indiana Trails Study provided significant value and benefits to trails in Indiana and was cited frequently in the state and nationally. The 2017 Indiana Trails Study, suggested in part to replicate the 2000-2001 study by Indiana trail advocates, uses these methods along with surveys of a control group of non-trail users in order to gather updated data on the trails, including the following: trail use levels; trail management practices; the opinions of trail users, non-users, and neighbors; and data related to trails’ impact on public health and state and local economies. Specifically, the 2017 study’s methods include: • Traffic (user) counts collected via trail counters at select trail segments • Online surveys (or paper-mail surveys upon request) of both trail users and a control group of non-users • Online surveys of trail-adjacent property owners (that is, “trail neighbors”) • Review of recent research and trail-related studies Collection of data on non-trail users and trail neighbors was not trail specific and is not included in this report. The 2017 Indiana Trails Study Summary Report contains an analysis of trail neighbor data, while the Summary Report and further published reports will reference non-trail user, or control group, data. Selection of Participant Trails

Figure 1: Location of Indiana Trails Study Participating Trails

4 2017 Indiana Trail Study One of the important components of the study was the selection of trails. The process used similar criteria to the study from 2001 and sought an equal mix of geographic locations and rural to urban settings. No single defini- tion of “urban”, “suburban”, or ”rural” fit the needs of this study, so a compilation of sources including the Indiana Department of Transportation, the U.S. Census Bureau, and other anecdotal sources were used to create the following definitions. Rural areas were defined as residential areas of at least one acre on average, as well as farm- land, open range, or forest. Suburban areas were defined as areas of average density of single family homes and light commercial development. Urban areas were defined as areas of dense residential, commercial, or industrial development and included medium to larger city centers. This method provided a more accurate depiction of the trails in Indiana’s trail network. Other criteria for selecting study trails included: • The trail contributes to a statewide mix of trails • Participation in the 2001 Indiana Trails Study • The ability and willingness of the managing organization to fully participate based on: þþ Length of time the agency has been in existence þþ Functioning Board of Directors or agency support þþ Available paid staff or the ability to generate a volunteer staff for data collection þþ Number of volunteers available þþ Length of time volunteer network has been in existence • The agency’s access to trail counters • The agency’s ability to provide a list of neighboring properties visually abutting or within 150 feet of the trail for the trail neighbor survey These criteria were not individually defined by a minimum standard. Each potential trail was evaluated based on its fit within the framework of the set of criteria as a whole. In addition to having the required support structure, the Erie Lackawanna Trail was selected by virtue of being a representative suburban trail in the Northern section of Indiana.

Trail Use Counts “Trail counts” refers to the number of users on a trail during a specific time- frame. For the 2017 Indiana Trails Study, each participating agency was asked to provide trail counters. Infrared counters were suggested because of their low cost, availability, and relative ease of use. Not all agencies had access to Figure 2: Trailhead shelter- Erie Lackawanna Trail infrared counters, resulting in variation in counter type. All but two participating agencies already had counters. The remaining two agencies used counters supplied by the research team. Trail counters were placed at various locations on each participating trail from April 10 through October 15. Trail counter locations were determined in consultation with the local agency responsible for the trail. Trail segments where counters were already deployed or soon to be deployed were used. Trail counters were placed in two locations on the Erie Lackawanna Trail throughout the course of the study. The trailheads where the counters were placed were the Summit Street Trailhead in Crown Point and the 41st Street Trailhead in Highland. The Erie Lackawanna Trail staff and volunteers downloaded the data from the counters at the conclusion of the study and sent it to the research team in mid- October.

Erie Lackawanna Trail 5 Survey Recruitment In order to recruit survey participants for the study, trained volunteers from the trail management agency were stationed at specified trailheads at specified times and days to distribute study information, including the link to the online trail survey. Note that the volunteers canvassed the survey location by giving survey information and participation request cards to all individuals at the location during the date and time specified but did not directly collect information from any survey participant. The researchers assumed that trail use levels vary by location, even for individual trails. In response, recruitments were completed during four one-week periods throughout the study in various locations and at various times of day on each trail between April and October. Popular trailheads were selected in order to intercept users when starting or ending trail use. Trailheads for survey recruitment were the same locations where trail counters were placed: the Summit Street and 41st Street trailheads. When collecting data for the control group of non-users, sites such as grocery stores or libraries that were further away from the trail and used by a cross-section of community residents were chosen. The target number of trail user survey responses depends on the populations of the participating communities, but a 95% confidence interval was sought in this study. Table 1 shows the overall schedule for the 2017 Indiana Trails Study. The multi-method data collection process is complex, requiring active management of deliverables and process. Table 1: Study Timeline

Septem- October- May February March April May June July August April 2018 ber December 2018 Surveys Draft survey Finalize First survey Second Third survey Final survey instruments surveys period survey period period period Trail Meet with Create train- Complete agencies agencies; ing material training orient them for agencies on volunteer and volun- recruitment, teers survey protocol, and study details Trail Complete Finalize, Compile trail Mail trail Mail second neighbor draft trail validate trail neighbor neighbor round of trail surveys neighbor neighbor mailing lists survey neighbor survey survey invitations; surveys prelim data analysis Trail Confirm Confirm trail Collect trail counters trail counter counters in counter protocol place at all data from all with trail trails trails agencies Data Build data Complete Complete Complete Begin final Complete Issue analysis analysis prelim data prelim data data data analysis data final models and analysis analysis analysis on surveys, analysis reports protocol from first from second from third trail neigh- survey survey survey bor surveys, period period period counter data

6 2017 Indiana Trail Study Findings

A total of 1393 trail users were surveyed throughout the eight trails in Indiana participating in the study. While the 2017 Indiana Trails Study used a new survey instrument, many of the questions were similar to those of the 2001 survey. When possible, comparisons were made between both studies to examine changes in trail use patterns and attitudes in the intervening 16 years. The Erie Lackawanna Trail did not participate in the 2001 Indiana Trail Study, therefore all comparisons between the studies in this report are study wide. Trail Use Factors Trail Activity Table 2 shows that the primary activity of trail users on the Erie Lackawanna is biking (54%), followed by walking (27%), then jogging. Table 2: What Type of Activity Do You Mostly Do on the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Walk Count 80 45 % 27% 29% Run/Jog Count 57 30 % 19% 19% Bike Count 162 81 % 54% 52% Skate Count 0 0.25 % 0% 0.2% Horseback Riding Count 0 0.25 % 0% 0.2% Bird Count 0 0.15 Watching % 0% 0.1% People Watching Count 0 0.25 % 0% 0.2% Total 299

Erie Lackawanna Trail 7 This closely resembles the average among all trails in the study, where biking was rated the top activity by 52% of respondents, followed by walking (29%) and jogging (19%). In contrast to 2017, the leading statewide activity in 2001 was walking, with 41% of trail users reporting it as their primary activity. In 2001, biking was the primary activity of 39% of trail users. This likely mirrors the increase in bicycling in the U.S., which has more than doubled since 2001 (“Bicycle Commuting Data” n.d.). Erie Lackawanna users also closely resembled the statewide average when asked about the distance they travel on the trail, the length of time they spend engaging in their primary trail activity, and how many days per week they use the trail for that activity (Table 3). E-L users report an average of 10.5 miles (vs. 9.5 statewide), for 72 minutes per session (also 72 minutes statewide), for about four days per week (vs. 3.5 days per week statewide). Trail users are staying on trails longer in 2017: they travel 9.5 miles compared with seven miles per session in 2001. Moreover, 17% of trail users are on the trail for more than 20 miles. This increase corresponds with the increase in the number of bikers. Table 3: Distance, Time, and Days per Week of Primary Activity

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Average Miles Performed 10.5 9.5 Average Minutes/Session 72 72 Average Days/Week 4 3.5

When asked if there is a second activity they use the trail for, 62% of E-L users said “yes,” compared with 55% of trail users statewide (Table 4). Table 4: Is There a Second Activity that You Do on the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Yes Count 185 87.5 % 62% 55.5% No Count 114 70 % 38% 44.5% Total 299

8 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 5 shows that walking and biking are the top secondary activity for Erie Lackawanna users at 41% each. Jogging was the third most popular secondary activity, with 11% of users partaking in it. Statewide, walking (40%), biking (37%), and jogging (17%) were predictably also the top three. E-L users were less inclined to jog and more inclined to walk, bike, skate (1.5%), and people watch (3%) as a secondary activity than were trail users statewide. Table 5: What is the Second Activity You Do on the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Walk Count 76 35 % 41.5% 40% Run/Jog Count 21 15 % 11.5% 17.5% Bike Count 75 32 % 41% 37% Skate Count 3 0.5 % 1.5% 0.5% Horseback Count 0 0.1 Riding % 0% 0.1% Bird Count 3 2 Watching % 1.5% 2% People Count 5 2.5 Watching % 3% 2.9% Total 183

Erie Lackawanna users exactly matched statewide averages for miles (6.5), time spent (52 minutes), and number of days per week (two) doing their secondary activity (Table 6). Table 6: Distance, Time, and Days per Week of Secondary Activity Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Average Miles Performed 6.5 6.5 Average Minutes/Session 52 52 Average Days/Week 2 2

Erie Lackawanna Trail 9 Figure 3: Erie Lackawanna Trail in Schererville

Access Tables 7-8 display where trail users come from, how they get to trails, and how far they travel to use them. The vast majority of people (88.5%) come from home to use the Erie Lackawanna, compared with 87% statewide. Coming from work to use the trail was a distant second at 8.5% (11% statewide). Table 7: On Most Days, Where Do You Usually Come from to Get to the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Work Count 25 17 % 8.5% 11% Home Count 265 135 % 88.5% 87% School Count 1 0.5 % 0.5% 0.5% After a meal Count 4 1 % 1.5% 1% Another setting Count 2 2 % 1% 1.5% Total 297

Erie Lackawanna users differ from users statewide in how they get to the trail. Approximately 46% of statewide users drive to their trail, compared with only 38% of E-L users. Instead, 38.5% of E-L users bike to the trail and 24.5% walk. Statewide, 31% of users bike and 22.5% walk to their trails to use them. In 2001, 19% of statewide trail users biked and 20% of them walked to their trails. The number of people who bike to their trail to use it has doubled in 16 years, reflecting the significant increase in bike use on trails. This shift away from driving could reflect users’ increased participation in physical activity, as seen in the increase in biking and other forms of transportation, or it could be indicative of an increase in the number of trails available, reducing the need for people to drive to access them.

10 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 8: On Most Days How do You Get to the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Walk Count 70 35 % 24.5% 22.5% Drive Count 112 72 % 38% 46% Bicycle Count 114 48 % 38.5% 31% Bus/public transportation Count 0 0.1 % 0% 0.1% Ride with family/friends Count 0 0.25 % 0% 0.2% Total 296

The average distance Erie Lackawanna users travel to use the trail is less than one mile, with the vast majority (70%) traveling less than three miles. Statewide, the average distance traveled to use one of the trails in the study is 2.4 miles, up from 1.5 miles in 2001, and 64% of users travel less than three miles. Over 14% percent of statewide users and 11% of E-L users traveled more than seven miles to reach a trail, which is important to note when considering the potential of trails to draw tourists. . Table 9: How Far do You Travel to Use the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response <1 mile Count 116 55 % 39% 35% 1-3 miles Count 93 45 % 31% 29% 3.1-5 miles Count 34 22 % 11.5% 14% 5.1-7 miles Count 21 12 % 7% 8% >7 miles Count 34 23 % 11.5% 14.5% Total 298

Erie Lackawanna Trail 11 Figure 4: Erie Lackawanna Trail at Calumet Ave. in Hammond

Trail users were also asked how long it would take them to get to the trail if they were to walk (Table 10). This question was asked to see how trails stack up to the goal set forth in the Indiana Trails Plan of having all Hoosiers within five miles of a trail. 25.5% of Erie Lackawanna users are within a 10-minute walk of the trail compared with 24.5% statewide, and 56.5% were within a 30-minute walk. 18% of Erie Lackawanna users would have to walk more than 90 minutes to use the trail. The statewide average for these long-distance users is 21%. The fact that many users are willing to travel a lengthy distance to reach the trail underlines the quality and popularity of the Erie Lackawanna Trail and other Indiana trails, and also indicates their potential for tourism.

12 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 10: If You Were to Walk to the Trail, How Long Would It Take You?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response 1-10 Count 74 37 % 25.5% 24.5% 11-20 Count 53 22 % 18.5% 14.5% 21-30 Count 36 14 % 12.5% 9.5% 31-40 Count 17 12 % 6% 8% 41-50 Count 15 8.5 % 5% 6% 51-60 Count 19 12 % 7% 8% 61-70 Count 8 6.5 % 3% 4.5% 71-80 Count 4 3 % 1.5% 2% 81-90 Count 12 4.5 % 4% 3% >90 Count 52 31 % 18% 21% Total 290

As seen in Table 11, Erie Lackawanna users have been using their trail an average of nine years, compared with the statewide average of 8.5 years. Table 11: How Long Have You Been Using the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Average Time, Years 9 8.5

Erie Lackawanna Trail 13 Social Factors In addition to trails’ value as exercise and recreation facilities, they are frequently used for social activities. Fami- lies and friends walk together, walking clubs are more common, and benches and plazas are being constructed on trails across the nation as gathering spots in order to facilitate social activity. Tables 12-15 illustrate how frequently people use their trail with other people and when they use it. Table 12 shows that 46% of Erie Lacka- wanna users are usually on the trail alone. Of those who are frequently on the trail with other people, 48% (Table 13) are with family members—roughly equal to the state average—, and 33% use the trail with friends, exercise partners, or co-workers. Table 12: While On the Trail do You Usually Use it…

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response With others Count 137 74 % 46% 47% Alone Count 160 82 % 54% 53% Total 297

Table 13: Who Do You Usually Use the Trail ith? Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Spouse/Partner Count 55 33 % 40% 45% Exercise Partners Count 24 10 % 17.5% 14% Children Count 7 3 % 5% 4% Children Count 6 2 % 4.5% 3% Coworker Count 2 1.5 % 1.5% 2% Friend(s) Count 20 13 % 14.5% 17.5% Other family members/relatives Count 4 2.5 % 3% 3.5% Walk/Run club Count 1 1 % 0.5% 1% Mix of family & friends Count 18 7.5 % 13% 10% Total 137

14 2017 Indiana Trail Study Usage of the Erie Lackawanna is spread somewhat evenly throughout the day (Table 14). A slightly larger percentage of people are on the trail during late afternoon (29%) and morning (24%) than other times. This is not unexpected and is reflective of the study as a whole; however, in contrast to the Erie Lackawanna trail, the morning is the most common time statewide (27.5%), followed by late afternoon (26%). Table 14: What Time of the Day do You Usually Use the Trail?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response 5-8 AM Count 39 16 % 13% 10.5% 8-11 AM Count 71 42 % 24% 27.5% 11 AM- 2 PM Count 60 30 % 20% 20% 2-6 PM Count 85 40 % 29% 26% After 6 PM Count 41 25 % 14% 16% Total 296

Reasons for Trail Usage Table 15 illustrates trail users’ primary reason for using a trail. The majority of Erie Lackawanna users (68%) are on the trail for physical activity. This is slightly higher than the state average of 63.5% and is reflective of the slightly higher percentage of Erie Lackawanna users biking on the trail. The second most popular primary reason for using the trail was for recreation (10%), followed by walking the dog at 6.5% and transportation at 10%. Statewide, slightly fewer trail users are on the trail for physical activity (63.5%) and more are using a trail for recreation (13.5%). A similar question with broader answers was asked in 2001. Health/exercise was the top answer among users statewide with 69%, whereas 28% stated recreation, and 3% indicated they were commuting. Adding 2017’s physical activity, stress reduction, and health issues answers into a single category shows that 72% of trail users statewide and 75% of Erie Lackawanna users answered similarly to 2001’s health/exercise response. Statewide, trail use for commuting has also increased, with 5% now using their trail for transportation. Combining 2017’s recreation, walking the dog, and aesthetics answers to compare to the 2001 answer of recreation shows that trail use for recreation has decreased from 28% to 23.5% statewide, and registers at 20% on the Erie Lackawanna Trail.

Erie Lackawanna Trail 15 Figure 5 : Interpretive panel on the Erie Lackawanna Trail

Table 15: What is the Primary Reason You Use This Trail Instead of Other Facilities?

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Physical Activity Count 201 97 % 68% 63.5% Recreation Count 30 20.5 % 10% 13.5% Transportation Count 15 7.5 % 5% 5% Walk Dog Count 19 7 % 6.5% 5% Stress Reduction Count 13 10 % 4.5% 6.5% Health Issues Count 8 3 % 2.5% 2% Aesthetics Count 10 7.5 % 3.5% 5% Total 296

16 2017 Indiana Trail Study Trail users were asked to rate the importance of certain characteristics of the trail they were using from least important to most important on a 5-point scale. This is helpful information for trail planners so they can understand the features and atmospheric amenities that should or should not be included when they are planning new trail routes or updating existing trails. Tables 16-22 show how trail users rate these characteristics. The feature of the Erie Lackawanna Trail that users appreciate the most is having access to the outdoors and nature. About 88% (Table 22) said that being outdoors on the trail was either most important or quite important, matching the statewide average. The next most important characteristic of the trail was the convenience of the location at 83.5% (Table 19), followed by ease of access or no cost at 88% (Table 18), having accessible features at 72% (Table 21), terrain at 70% (Table 17), and scenery at 68% (Table 16). Far behind was the idea that the trail had a friendly atmosphere, with only 54% rating this as most or quite important. The answers to this set of questions rank in the same order statewide as they do at Erie Lackawanna, though there were slight differences in the percentages Table 16: Scenery (Beauty of Environment) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 1 1.5 % 0.5% 1% Somewhat Important Count 15 7.5 % 5% 5% Important Count 78 28 % 26.5% 18.5% Quite Important Count 90 51 % 31% 34% Most Important Count 107 64 % 37% 42% Total 291

Table 17: Terrain (Flat, Paved, etc.) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 12 6 % 4% 4% Somewhat Important Count 24 13 % 8.5% 9% Important Count 49 27 % 17.5% 18.5% Quite Important Count 91 43.5 % 32.5% 30% Most Important Count 105 56 % 37.5% 38.5% Total 281

Erie Lackawanna Trail 17 Figure 6: Arbogast Ave. trailhead in Grifith

Table 18: Access (No Cost Associated With Use) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 2 3 % 1% 2% Somewhat Important Count 9 5 % 3% 3.5% Important Count 38 15 % 13% 10% Quite Important Count 53 32 % 19% 21.5% Most Important Count 182 95 % 64% 63% Total 284

Table 19: Convenience (Location) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 3 2.5 % 1% 2% Somewhat Important Count 9 7.5 % 3% 5% Important Count 35 20.5 % 12.5% 13.5% Quite Important Count 81 38 % 28.5% 25.5% Most Important Count 155 81 % 55% 54% Total 283

18 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 20: Friendly Atmosphere (Social Environment) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 14 8 % 5% 6% Somewhat Important Count 30 19.5 % 11% 14% Important Count 79 37.5 % 29.5% 26.5% Quite Important Count 66 37.5 % 25% 26.5% Most Important Count 79 38 % 29.5% 27% Total 268

Table 21: Accessible Features (Ease of Entry/exit, Seating, Surface, etc.) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 7 5.5 % 2.5% 4% Somewhat Important Count 18 10 % 6.5% 7% Important Count 54 28 % 19% 19% Quite Important Count 91 45 % 32.5% 31% Most Important Count 110 56.5 % 39.5% 39% Total 280

Table 22: Outdoor (Environment/Access to Nature) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 1 1.5 % 0.5% 1% Somewhat Important Count 3 4 % 1% 2.5% Important Count 32 13 % 11% 8.5% Quite Important Count 71 38 % 24.5% 25% Most Important Count 184 95 % 63% 63% Total 291

Erie Lackawanna Trail 19 Concerns and Problems Trail users were asked about their concerns about the trail and problems they may experience while on the trail (Tables 23-36). Just as with preferred trail characteristics, trail users were asked to rate their concerns from least important to most important. This data is useful for gauging physical and safety features of trail design, construction, and maintenance, and can be used to inform trail managers of particular issues that may exist on their trail. Ranking at the top for Erie Lackawanna users is the location of the trail (Table 26), with 67% of trail users rating the concern as quite important or most important. Erie Lackawanna was constructed on the bed of a former rail line, and its proximity to industrial areas, road crossings, or sight lines may be reasons for this concern. The issue garner- ing the second most concern is maintenance, with 61% of users rating it as quite or most important (Table 28). The third highest concern is safety (Table 23) with 55% saying it was quite or very important). The rating of safety as a concern contrasts with more specific concerns that generally factor into safety, but which generally receive rat- ings of low importance. In fact, only 11% rated wild animals (Table 36), 14% rated fear of injury (Table 30), 21% rated bikers/skaters going too fast (Table 31), 25% rated lack of police presence (Table 32), and 35% rated unleashed pets as their most important or quite important concerns or problems with the trail. In light of the low rankings of specific concerns, it is unclear why safety as a separate concern rated as high as it did. Accessibility of the trail (Table 25) was the only other major concern, with more than half of respondents (51%) saying it was most or quite important. Space/congestion was also not a critical concern, with 42% of users rating it as most or quite important (Table 29). Logistical and amenities issues (i.e., Facilities, parking, visibility of mile markers, and adequate signage) do not appear to rate highly as concerns (Tables 24, 27, 33, and 34). Statewide, location of the trail was also the highest rated concern, noted by 59% of users, though the statewide rating was much lower than the Erie Lackawanna. The concern with the next highest level of users rating it as most or quite Important was also maintenance (55.5%), followed by accessibility (52.5%) and safety (51.5%). Similar to Erie Lackawanna, there is a bit of a disconnect between safety and concerns that feed into safety, and a relatively low level of concern about logistical and amenities problems In 2001, trail users across the state said that personal safety was their most important issue, followed by vandalism, safe intersections, and natural surroundings.

Table 23: Safety Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 29 17 % 11% 12% Somewhat Important Count 35 21.5 % 13% 15.5% Important Count 54 28.5 % 20.5% 21% Quite Important Count 55 25 % 21% 18% Most Important Count 91 46 % 34.5% 33.5% Total 264

20 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 24: Parking (Lack of, or Cost) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 61 33 % 28.5% 29% Somewhat Important Count 49 26.5 % 23% 23% Important Count 40 21 % 18.5% 18.5% Quite Important Count 31 18 % 14.5% 15.5% Most Important Count 34 16 % 15.5% 14% Total 215

Table 25: Accessibility of the Trail Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 35 21.5 % 14.5% 17% Somewhat Important Count 21 16.5 % 8.5% 13% Important Count 38 22 % 16% 17.5% Quite Important Count 67 31.5 % 28% 25% Most Important Count 80 35 % 33% 27.5% Total 241

Figure 7: Bridge crossing at Southeastern and Columbia Avenues

Erie Lackawanna Trail 21 Table 26: Location Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 31 20 % 13% 15.5% Somewhat Important Count 16 12.5 % 7% 10% Important Count 34 20 % 14% 15.5% Quite Important Count 69 32.5 % 29% 25.5% Most Important Count 93 42.5 % 38% 33.5% Total 243

Table 27: Facilities (Restrooms, Water Fountains) Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 23 14.5 % 9% 11% Somewhat Important Count 46 24.5 % 18% 18.5% Important Count 78 39.5 % 30.5% 30.5% Quite Important Count 53 28 % 21% 21% Most Important Count 55 25 % 21.5% 19% Total 255

Table 28: Maintenance Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 17 13.5 % 7% 10.5% Somewhat Important Count 23 15 % 9% 11.5% Important Count 58 30 % 23% 23% Quite Important Count 64 36.5 % 25% 27.5% Most Important Count 92 37 % 36% 28% Total 254

22 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 29: Space/Congestion on the Trail Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 31 18 % 13% 14% Somewhat Important Count 35 24.5 % 14.5% 19.5% Important Count 73 34 % 30.5% 27% Quite Important Count 65 30 % 27.5% 23.5% Most Important Count 35 20.5 % 14.5% 16% Total 239

Table 30: Fear of Injury Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 54 33.5 % 26% 30% Somewhat Important Count 52 30.5 % 25% 27.5% Important Count 52 24 % 25% 22% Quite Important Count 26 13 % 13% 12% Most Important Count 22 10 % 1% 9% Total 206

Table 31: Bikers/Skaters Going Too Fast Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 52 33 % 26% 30% Somewhat Important Count 63 30 % 31% 27% Important Count 45 24.5 % 22% 22.5% Quite Important Count 19 12.5 % 9.5% 11% Most Important Count 23 10.5 % 11.5% 10% Total 202

Erie Lackawanna Trail 23 Table 32: Police Presence Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 49 30 % 24% 27% Somewhat Important Count 53 28.5 % 26% 25.5% Important Count 50 30 % 24.5% 27% Quite Important Count 27 12.5% % 13% 11.5% Most Important Count 26 10 % 12.5% 9% Total 205

Table 33: Adequate Signage Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 45 27.5 % 22% 25.5% Somewhat Important Count 47 27 % 23% 25% Important Count 66 32 % 32.5% 29.5% Quite Important Count 26 15.5 % 13% 14% Most Important Count 19 7 % 9.5% 6% Total 203

Table 34: Visibility of Distance / Mile Markers Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 46 27 % 22% 24.5% Somewhat Important Count 56 28 % 26% 25% Important Count 54 28 % 25% 25% Quite Important Count 30 16.5 % 14% 15% Most Important Count 27 12 % 13% 10.5% Total 213

24 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 35: Unleashed Pets Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 44 29 % 20.5% 25% Somewhat Important Count 42 25 % 19.5% 22% Important Count 53 24 % 24.5% 21% Quite Important Count 29 17 % 13.5% 14.5% Most Important Count 48 20 % 22% 17.5% Total 216

Table 36: Wild Animals Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Least Important Count 83 45 % 44% 45.5% Somewhat Important Count 47 27 % 25% 27.5% Important Count 38 16 % 20% 16.5% Quite Important Count 9 5 % 5% 5% Most Important Count 12 5.5 % 6% 5.5% Total 189

Erie Lackawanna Trail 25 When asked to rate their single most important concern, more Erie Lackawanna users said that maintenance of the trail (28%) was their biggest concern. This is well above the state average of 19%, and coincides with findings from the previous section, where 67% of trail users said that maintenance was either a very or quite important concern. This may indicate that repairs or repaving are overdue. The next most significant concern was a lack of facilities at 19%, slightly above the state average of 18.5%. Fewer E-L users than average, however, rated safety (8.5% vs. the state average of 11%), congestion (6% vs. the state average of 11%), and location (3.5% vs. the state average of 6%) as their most important concern. It appears that Erie- Lackawanna users generally feel comfortable on the trail, even if they notice some needed repairs. All other concerns were within a percentage point of average. In 2001, drinking water/toilets (listed in 2017 as “Facilities”) was the area with the lowest level of satisfaction on every trail surveyed. Other top most important concerns across the state in 2001 were lack of adequate police patrols (parallel to 2017’s “No Police Patrols”), and vandalism. Table 37: What Concerns You Most About the Trail? Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Lack of Safety Count 23 15.5 % 8.5% 11% Parking (Lack of, Cost) Count 5 3 % 2% 2% Accessibility of the Trail Count 15 7 % 5.5% 5% Location Count 10 8.5 % 3.5% 6% Facilities Count 52 26 % 19% 18.5% Maintenance Count 76 26.5 % 28% 19% Space/Congestion Count 17 15.5 % 6% 11% Fear of Injury Count 2 2 % 0.5% 1% Bikers/Skaters Going Fast Count 24 13 % 9% 9.5% No Police Patrols Count 12 7 % 4.5% 5% Adequate Signage Count 6 2 % 2% 1.5% Visibility of Distance Count 2 2 % 0.5% 1.5% Unleashed Pets Count 22 10 % 8% 7% Wild Animals Count 5 3 % 2% 2% Total 172

26 2017 Indiana Trail Study Physical Activity Factors Tables 38-40 show that access to a trail continues to have a positive impact on exercise levels, not only statewide but especially on the Erie Lackawanna Trail. Only 55% of Erie Lackawanna users said that they exercised regularly before they started using the trail, compared to the statewide average of 59.9% (Table 38). About 73% of Erie Lackawanna users said that their exercise level increased since they began using the trail (Table 39), with 41% saying that their exercise level had increased at least 50% since they started to use the trail. Comparatively, 67% of statewide users said they increased their exercise level, with 36% saying that they increased their exercise level by more than 50% since they started using a trail. While impressive, this is actually a drop in the number of people who said they exercise more because of the trail: in 2001, 78% of statewide trail users reported an increase in exercise levels. It is important to note, however, that many hundreds of miles of trails have been built in the state since the 2001 study and many more Hoosiers have had access to trails for a number of years. Table 38: Did You Exercise Regularly (Three or More Times per Week for 20 Minutes per Session) Before Using a Trail? Average Erie Lackawanna Statewide Trail Response Yes Count 162 93 % 55% 59.5% No Count 134 63 % 45% 40.5% Total 296

Table 39: Since Beginning to Use a Trail, Has the Amount of Exercise that You Do...

Average Erie Lackawanna Statewide Trail Response Increased Count 217 105 % 73% 67% Decreased Count 4 2 % 1.5% 1% Time Limit, Why? Health Issues, Job Conflicts Do not Know Count 4 3 % 1.5% 2% Stayed the Same Count 74 48 % 24% 30% Total 299

Figure 8: Bikers on the Erie Lackawanna Trail

Erie Lackawanna Trail 27 Table 40: Since Using the Trail, Approximately how Much has Your Exercise Level Increased? Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response <25% Count 52 27 % 25% 27% 26-50% Count 72 37 % 34% 37% 50-75% Count 36 16.5 % 17% 16% 76-100% Count 31 12 % 15% 12% >100% Count 20 8 % 9% 8% Total 211

Trail users were also asked about other physical activities they did apart from trail activities (Table 41). Most common among Erie Lackawanna users were housework (19%), walking (17%), bicycling, and gardening (14% each). Statewide, housework and walking were the top activity reported, each by 24% of users, followed by bicycling (17.5%), strength training (16.5%), and gardening (15.5%). The most common amount of time spent doing these other activities (Table 42) was more than five hours per week on both the Erie Lackawanna Trail (35%) and statewide (34%) Table 41: Physical Activities in the Past Month, Apart from Your Trail Activities Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Aerobic Dance Count 13 7 % 1% 1.7% Bicycling Count 135 72 % 14% 17.5% Strength Training Count 127 66 % 13% 16.5% Golf Count 24 14 % 2% 3.5% Jogging/Running Count 75 45 % 8% 11% Walking Count 173 97 % 17% 24% Gardening Count 131 62 % 14% 15.5% Swimming/Water Exercises Count 50 23 % 5% 5.7% Organized team sport Count 15 8.5 % 1% 2% Housework Count 185 6 % 19% 1.5% Yoga Count 50 2 % 5% 0.5% Martial Arts Count 2 0.1 % 0.5% 0.02% Racquet Sports Count 6 0.5 % 0.5% 0.1% Total 986 28 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 42: Time Spent Doing Physical Activities Altogether (per week)

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response <30 Minutes Count 10 5.5 % 3.5% 3.5% 30-60 Minutes Count 18 8.5 % 6% 5.5% 1-1.5 Hours Count 28 11.5 % 10% 7.5% 1.5-2 Hours Count 18 11 % 6% 7% 2-2.5 Hours Count 21 12 % 7% 8% 2.5-3 Hours Count 21 11.5 % 7% 7.5% 3-3.5 Hours Count 20 11 % 7% 7% 3.5-4 Hours Count 17 10 % 6% 6.5% 4-4.5 Hours Count 19 8.5 % 7% 6% 4.5-5 Hours Count 15 10.5 % 5% 7% >5 Hours Count 100 51 % 35% 34% Total 287

Erie Lackawanna Trail 29 Economic Factors To gauge the economic impact of trails, users were asked about their spending on certain items related to trail use, as well as their travel to and from the trail. Table 43 shows that trail users spent an average of $29.46 each on the day they were surveyed on trail use. While daily expenditure is interesting as a snapshot, it is not as reliable for measuring economic impact as annual spending, because daily spending may be skewed by the purchases of “big ticket” items by a relatively small number of people, or may be influenced by weather or local events that encour- age or discourage trail use on a given day. Erie Lackawanna users spend an average of almost $3,700 per year on trail-related expenditures- including $369 on bicycles, more than any other trail- proving the trail’s value as an economic engine. Table 43: For the Items Listed Below, Please Indicate Your Amount Spent on the Day You Used the Trail and also Your Estimated Annual Spending Average Dollars, Spent On Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Bikes $14.00 $18.00 Skates $0.00 $0.10 Clothing $2.00 $4.50 Shoes $7.00 $7.50 Food $10.00 $12.00

DAILY Maps $0.20 $0.50 Transportation $4.00 $4.50 Parking $0.20 $0.20 Total (by Trail) $37.40 $47.30

Bikes $369 $307 Skates $3 $5 Clothing $378 $331 Shoes $229 $191 Food $1,795 $1678 Maps $30 $42 ANNUAL Transportation $847 $970 Parking $45 $40 Total (by Trail) $3,696 $3,564

30 2017 Indiana Trail Study Demographic Factors Tables 44-49 display the demographic characteristics of trail users completing surveys. Erie- Lackawanna Trail users are mostly male (55%), predominately white (91%), and have above-average education levels and household in- comes. Approximately 81% of Erie Lackawanna users have more than a high school education, which is slightly less than the 82.5% of trail users statewide. However, the Erie Lackawanna has a higher percentage of users at higher income levels (51.5% above $91,000) than the statewide average (46.5% above $91,000). Statewide, the numbers for race/ethnicity diverge from 2001, when 98% of trail users were white across Indiana. This change may indicate that trails are beginning to reach previously underserved populations. The average age of trail users has increased since the 2001 study. In 2017, 64% of trail users were 46 or older, while just 43% of respondents were in the same age range in 2001. In contrast, the number of 26-45 year-old users has dropped from 41% to 30%. This shift may indicate that aging populations have more access to trails and are more informed about the health benefits of exercise. Table 44: Age

Years Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response 18-25 Count 10 9 % 3.5% 6% 26-35 Count 30 19.5 % 10.5% 13% 36-45 Count 49 24 % 17% 16% 46-65 Count 136 67 % 47% 45% ≥65 Count 64 31 % 22% 20% Total 289

Table 45: Gender

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Male Count 157 83 % 55% 56% Female Count 127 65 % 44% 43.5% Missing Count 3 1 % 1% 0.5% Total 287

Erie Lackawanna Trail 31 Figure 9: Trail plaza in Griffith Table 46: Race/Ethnic Origin

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response White Count 264 137 % 91% 91.9% African American Count 1 2 % 0.5% 1% American Indian/ Alaska Native Count 1 0.25 % 0.5% 0.1% Asian Count 2 2 % 1% 1% Hispanic or Latino Count 9 4 % 3% 3% Declined to answer Count 13 4 % 4% 3% Total 290

Table 47: Marital Status

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Single Count 52 27 % 18% 18% Married, Domestic partnership Count 206 106 % 71% 72% Widowed Count 8 3 % 3% 2% Divorced Count 19 11 % 7% 7.5% Separated Count 3 1 % 1% 0.5% Total=1190 288 32 2017 Indiana Trail Study Table 48: Employment Status

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Homemaker Count 8 5 % 3% 3% Self-employed Count 25 14.5 % 9% 10% Student Count 9 5.5 % 3% 4% Employed for wages Count 156 84 % 54% 56.5% Retired Count 78 36.5 % 27% 24.5% Not employed Count 5 2 % 2% 1% Declined to answer Count 8 2 % 3% 1% Total=1190 289

Table 49: Employment Satisfaction

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response ≤30% Count 10 5 % 5% 2% 31-60% Count 27 10.5 % 15% 10.5% 61-100% Count 144 83.5 % 80% 87.5% Total 181

Erie Lackawanna Trail 33 Table 50: Educational Attainment

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response Eighth grade or less Count 5 1 % 2% 1% High school or GED Count 46 22 % 16% 14.5% Technical school Count 26 10 % 9% 6.5% College graduate Count 110 57.5 % 38% 39% Graduate school Count 67 39 % 23% 26% Professional degree Count 29 16.5 % 10% 11% Declined to answer Count 7 2.5 % 2% 2% Total 290

Table 51: Household Income Level

Erie Lackawanna Trail Average Statewide Response <$10,000 Count 6 3 % 2% 2% $10-38,000 Count 26 14 % 10% 10% $38,001- 91,000 Count 97 57 % 36.5% 41.5% $91,001-190,000 Count 104 49 % 39% 35.5% >$190,000 Count 33 15 % 12.5% 11% Total 266

34 2017 Indiana Trail Study Trail Counters All trails participating in the study were asked to place counters on their trails to collect data on trail usage. The preferred counter locations were at or near the trailheads or stations where study volunteers who were recruit- ing trail users to take the study survey were located in order to most closely correspond counter data with survey data. Most trails were able to place counters in these locations but some were not. Bloomington (B-Line Trail), for example, uses a type of counter that is embedded in the pavement of the trail and was not able to move it near volunteer stations. Trail partners were asked to supply counter data to the study team for the duration of survey recruitment- April 3 through October 8. Not all trails, for various reasons, were able to do that. Two trails, Pumpkinvine and Nickel Plate, did not have their own counters and were not able to acquire them, so the study team installed counters at those locations in early July. Some trails have counters installed year-round and supplied counts for the complete months of April and October and some were not able to place counters during the entire requested time frame. Other maintenance issues left gaps in the counts at various times. The data tables reflect the counter data that each trail partners was able to supply. Estimates of the number of unique users-visits to the trail are not available, but a crude approximation is that the number of user visits is approximately equal to half of the total traffic. This approximation assumes that each user passed the counter twice. Although it is likely that some users passed the counter more than twice and that other users passed it only once, information for making a better estimate of the number of different visits is not available. The number of different users would be less than the number of user-visits because many users make multiple trips during a month or week. Mechanical trail counters are also known to consistently under- count due to various types of physical challenges. Errors include people with backpacks or swinging arms being counted multiple times (Shoji, et. al., 2008), walkers in groups or closely spaced in relation to other walkers being undercounted (Turner, et. al., 2007), fast moving bicycles not being detected (Turner, et. al., 2007), and counter breakdown or malfunction. Trail counter data is being reported as shown on the counters and not adjusted for any users who may have passed multiple times or any potential counter variations. The highest counts on any trail in the study, by far, were at the 3rd Street location of the B-Line Trail in Bloom- ington at an average of 45,540 users from April through September. The next highest trail count comes from the 91st Street Trailhead of the Monon Trail with 17,542 from April through October. The trail with the lowest average monthly activity was the Nickel Plate with an average of 2,312 from July through October. Both the B-line and the Monon are urban trails while the Nickel Plate is a rural trail Table 50-52 show the total counts by month, daily average, and hourly average on the Erie Lackawanna Trail, a suburban trail. Table 50 shows that July was the busiest month at the Highland trailhead with 17,813 users, followed by June with 16,173 users. June and July were also the busiest months at the Crown Point trailhead, but in reverse order. June saw 12,127 trail users pass the trail counters in Crown Point, while 11,054 were on the trail in July. Traffic is shown to be lighter in April and October, but the data here is only partial for those months because they reflect the timing of survey collection for the duration for the study and not the entire months.

Table 52: Erie Lackawanna Trail monthly counts Trailhead April May June July August Sept Oct Crown Point 8,475 10,017 12,127 11,054 10,488 9,672 7,817 Highland 10,319 11,588 16,173 17,813 14,866 10,468 6,607

Erie Lackawanna Trail 35 As expected, weekends were the busiest days of the week on both trailheads. As seen in Table 51, a peak average of 572.2 people used the trail on Saturdays at Highland and 451.8 at Crown Point throughout the duration of the study. Sundays were the next busiest day, followed by Monday, then Tuesday at both trailheads. Wednes- day, Thursday, and Friday were the quietest days of the week at both sites.

Table 53: Erie Lackawanna average daily count

Trailhead Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Crown Point 336.3 283.0 254.9 261.3 256.9 451.8 446.7 Highland 410.4 395.6 349.2 330.5 348.9 572.2 506.9

Despite the similarity in monthly and daily traffic during the length of the study at the Crown Point and High- land locations, hourly counts and use patterns varied significantly (Table 52). Crown Point peaked in the morning, with the busiest hours at 9:00 a.m., followed by 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Traffic trailed off throughout the day until 4:00 p.m., then declined again. At Highland, there is a morning peak at 10:00 a.m., followed by a slight decline until 2:00 p.m., when hourly traffic increases until the busiest hour of the day at 6:00 p.m. After this peak, traffic trails off sharply with very little traffic after 8:00 p.m.

Table 54: Erie Lackawanna average hourly count

36 2017 Indiana Trail Study Summary and Conclusions

Figure 10: Summit St. trailhead in Crown Point- trail counter location

The findings in the report summarize data collected on the Erie Lackawanna Trail throughout the duration of the 2017 Indiana Trails Study and analyzed by the research team. The study was intended to take a broad look at trail use patterns, physical activity on trails, and attitudes of trail users about trail management issues, trail quality, and trails’ impacts on personal health and wellness. This study was a follow-up to the acclaimed 2001 Indiana Trails Study, and documents changes in the behavior and attitudes of trail users and trail neighbors, while also adding critical data collection regarding health behaviors and a deeper look at economic impacts of trails. While the Erie Lackawanna Trail was not studied in the 2001 Study, its inclusion in 2017 adds to a growing body of knowledge about the significant impacts trails have on individual and public health, physical activity and exercise habits, as well as the many ways that trails add value to the communities that build them. While the trails in the study show many similarities across much of the data collected, there are differences that illustrate the unique characteristics of each community and trail. As such, the conclusions drawn from this study should be viewed in a broad context. This study was constructed not only to build on the 2001 Indiana Trails Study but to facilitate further research that continues to track the changes and impacts made by the development of trail networks well into the future. This research was also conducted to continue to inform trail planners and managers about the most important issues that they should be considering. Based on the data analysis presented in this report, the following conclusions about the Erie Lackawanna Trail can be drawn: 1) Overall trail use peaks in the summer months of June and July, and weekends see significantly higher use than weekdays. These tendencies are consistent throughout all of the trails in the study. Individual parts of the trail see widely varying use pattern throughout the day. Comparing actual data with the researchers’ expected findings, we see that: • Average weekend use exceeds weekday use at both counter locations. • Peak use throughout the week is at 6:00 p.m.at the Highland trailhead (as expected), but peak use at the Crown Point trailhead is in the morning. • Peak hourly use is just under 9% of the daily average at both trailheads, less than the expected 11% to 14% expected based on findings from the 2001 study. Erie Lackawanna Trail 37 2) Trail users are predominately male, white, college educated, and have an above-average income. This pattern is common throughout the state and the nation, based on the data collected in many other studies. 3) The most popular activity on the trail is biking, with 54% of trail user reporting biking as their primary activity. Walking was the next most popular at 27%, followed by jogging/running at 19%. No other type of activity was reported by survey participants. Biking is also the most popular activity statewide, a significant shift from the 2001 study, when walking was the primary activity. 4) Having access to the trail increases the level of activity by trail users. A total of 45% of trail users exercised fewer than three times per week before using the trail. Approximately 73% of Erie Lackawanna users said that their exercise level increased since they started using the trail, the highest percentage of any trail in the study. Of those who said they exercise more, 41% said that their exercise level has increased by at least 50%. 5) The vast majority of trail users (88.5%) come from home to use the trail. Users bike or drive in almost equal numbers to get to the trail, and while most travel a short distance to use the trail, 18.5% of Erie Lackawanna users travel more than five miles to use it. 6) A sizeable number of trail users are on the trail to improve their health, with 75% of users reporting that their primary reason for trail use is either physical activity, stress reduction, or health issues. Recreation-related use was the next most common reason at 20%, and 5% of people use the trail for transportation. While the transportation number seems low, it mirrors the number of people using the trail for transportation statewide, which is almost double the use for transportation since 2001. 7) Erie Lackawanna users appreciate the opportunity to be outdoors, rating access to nature as their favorite reason for using the trail instead of other recreation facilities. Convenience of the location and free access also rated highly. 8) Maintenance of the trail may need to be addressed, as it is the most prevalent answer when trail users were asked what issue or problem concerned them the most. 9) While safety in a general sense is one of the issues that concerns Erie Lackawanna users the most, individual components of trail safety such as fear of injury, bikers and skaters going too fast, lack of police presence, unleashed pets, and wild animals, all rated among the lowest individual concerns. Education on the facts of trail safety may help alleviate the general sense of safety concern among trail users. 10) Trails have a growing and significant economic impact on their communities, and the Erie Lackawanna is no exception. Trail users report spending an average of $3,696 each per year on trail-related expenses, including $1,795 annually on food and $847 on transportation (including lodging). Erie Lackawanna users also spend the most of any trail in the study on clothing, and more than most in the study on bikes and shoes.

38 2017 Indiana Trail Study References

American League of Bicyclists. (2015). Bicycle commuting data. Retrieved from http://www.bikeleague.org/commutingdata Indiana Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Indiana Trails Advisory Board. Retrieved from http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4094.htm Indiana Department of Natural Resources. (2017). Indiana State Trails Plan Progress Report. Retrieved from https://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/files/or-TrailsProgress.pdf Shoji, Y., Yamaguchi, K, & Yamaki, K. (2008) Estimating annual visitors flow in Daisetsuzan National Park, Japan: combining self-registration books and infrared trail traffic counters. J For Res 13, 286–295. DOI 10.1007/s10310-008-0085-5 “Number of Participants in Skateboarding in the United States from 2006 to 2016 (in Millions).” Statista: The Statistics Portal. Accessed May 29, 2018. https://www.statista.com/statistics/191308/participants-in-skateboarding-in-the-us-since-2006/ Turner, S., Middleton, D., Longmire, R., Brewer, M., & Eurek, R. (2007) Testing and evaluation of pedestrian sensors. College Station, TX. The Texas A&M University System. Retrieved from: http://d2dtl5nnlpfr0r.cloudfront.net/swutc.tamu.edu/publications/technicalreports/167762-1.pdf

Erie Lackawanna Trail 39 2017 Indiana Trails Study Summary Report Measuring the Health, Economic, and Community Impacts of Trails in Indiana 2017 Indiana Trails Study Summary Report Measuring the Health, Economic, and Community Impacts of Trails in Indiana

Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands 501 N. Morton St., Suite 101, Bloomington501 N. Morton St., Suite IN 101, 47404 Bloomington IN 47404 www.eppley.orgwww.eppley.org

Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands 501 N. Morton St., Suite 101, Bloomington IN 47404 www.eppley.org