Marion Master Trails Plan City of Marion, Iowa Adopted July 24, 2014 This page intentionally left blank. Page | i Marion Master Trails Plan Acknowledgements The City of Marion appreciates the efforts of the numerous residents and community members who participated in the development of this plan. Their creativity, energy, and commitment were the driving force behind this planning effort. In addition, the following citizens, City staff, and other agency and organization members significantly contributed to the development of the Marion Master Trails Plan. Steering Committee Erik Allen, Rockwell-Collins Bike Committee Michelle Barker, Linn Area Mountain Bike Association Brian Bartz, Marion Independent School District Randy Burke, Linn County Conservation Department Outdoor Recreation Planner Cody Crawford, Marion City Council Nikki Davidson, BikeCR Barry Frantz, Marion Leadership in Action Rene Gadelha, Marion Planning Commission, Linn-Mar Community School District School Board Steve Hershner, Linn County Trails Association Dustin Hinrichs, Marion Tree Board, Trees Forever Rick Ironside, Linn-Mar Community School District Kyle Martin, Marion Park Board Tim Mooney, Marion Planning Commission Bob Neilly, Marion Resident Terri Thayer, Marion Resident Brandon Whyte, Corridor MPO Multimodal Transportation Planner Patty Wise, Marion Park Board City of Marion Staff Tom Treharne, Director, Planning and Development Department Kesha Billings, Associate Planner, Project Manager, Planning and Development Department Mark Carolan, Director, Parks and Recreation Department Dan Whitlow, City Engineer Planning Consultants Alta Planning + Design Steve Durrant, Principal Paul Wojciechowski, Project Manager Mike Tressider, Senior Planner Kevin Neill, Planner Iowa Bicycle Coalition Mark Wyatt, Executive Director Plan document prepared by: Marion Master Trails Plan Page | ii This page intentionally left blank. Page | iii Marion Master Trails Plan Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter Two: Existing Conditions ...................................................................................................... 7 Chapter Three: Best Practices in Complete Streets and Trail Design ................................. 23 Chapter Four: Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................... 55 Chapter Five: Recommended Trail Network ................................................................................ 59 Chapter Six: Four E’s Programs and Activities ............................................................................. 75 Chapter Seven: Plan Implementation ............................................................................................ 85 List of Maps Map 1: Existing Trails and Bikeways ................................................................................................ 13 Map 2: Recommended Trails and Bikeways ................................................................................. 61 Map 3: Prioritized Trails and Bikeways ........................................................................................... 93 Map 4: Short-Term, Low-Cost Projects ........................................................................................ 101 List of Tables Table 1: Recommended Paved Multi-Use Trails ......................................................................... 60 Table 2: Recommended Unpaved Multi-Use Trails ................................................................... 63 Table 3: Recommended Sidepath Projects .................................................................................. 65 Table 4: Recommended Bike Lane Projects ................................................................................. 66 Table 5: Recommended Bicycle Boulevard Projects ................................................................. 67 Table 6: Recommended Shared Lane Marking Projects .......................................................... 68 Marion Master Trails Plan Page | iv Table 7: Recommended Shoulder Bikeway Projects ................................................................ 69 Table 8: Network Evaluation Criteria .............................................................................................. 88 Table 9: High-Priority Projects ........................................................................................................... 89 Table 10: Medium-Priority Projects ................................................................................................. 90 Table 11: Low-Priority Projects ......................................................................................................... 91 Table 12: Cost Estimates for Trail and Bikeway Facility Types ............................................... 95 Table 13: Cost Estimates by Facility Type ...................................................................................... 96 Table 14: Cost Estimates by Priority Level .................................................................................... 96 Table 15: Recommended Short Term Projects ............................................................................ 97 Table 16: Recommended Long-Term, Opportunities-Based Projects ................................ 98 Table 17: Performance Measures .................................................................................................. 115 Appendix A-1: Review of Background Documents and Plans ................................................................ 121 A-2: Review of Existing Policies and Legislation ...................................................................... 145 A-2: Model Complete Streets Ordinance ................................................................................... 157 A-1: Model Bicycle Parking Ordinance ........................................................................................ 163 A-2: Cost Estimates for Individual Trail and On-Street Bikeway Projects ....................... 177 Page | v Marion Master Trails Plan Chapter One: Introduction Purpose of the Plan Bicycling, walking and trail use are on the rise in Marion. Residents and community members have expressed a growing interest in trail expansion. The City currently boasts a strong, interconnected sidewalk network, more than a dozen miles of sidepaths and bike lanes, and nearly ten miles of multi-use trails. Marion’s existing trails are heavily used for recreation, fitness and exercise, but their lack of connectivity afford little value for transportation-oriented trips. As the City continues to grow, it is important that future capital investments and development projects incorporate trails, on-street bikeways, and pedestrian paths as vital community. The purpose of this Plan is to provide a framework for future investments in trails and on-street bikeways, with focus on improving connectivity to local destinations, tying into the regional trail network, improving safety and accessibility for all trail users, supporting economic development, and improving quality of life for Marion residents. Through a series of recommended physical improvements and supporting policies, programs, and activities, the Plan sets forth a comprehensive strategy that can strengthen and expand the trail and on-street bikeway network and encourage trail usage, walking and bicycling for transportation and recreation. The Planning Process The planning process began in early 2014 with a review of existing plans, policies, legislation, and other background documents and information to better understand the policy and planning context in which the Plan was being developed. Through field visits, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, and other information sources, the planning team developed an inventory and analysis of existing physical conditions (trails, bike facilities, transportation networks, land uses, topography, hydrology, and other factors) and their impact on future trail development. Figure 1: City staff and Steering Committee members tour the City on a cold February afternoon. The City convened a Steering Committee, consisting of city staff, elected officials, coordinating agency and stakeholder representatives, local trail advocates, and community residents, to oversee the planning process, provide input and direction at key decision points, and encourage public participation. The Steering Committee met four times during the course of the planning process and supplied invaluable insight, ideas, and feedback to inform the Plan goals, objectives, and recommendations. Figure 2: The Steering Committee at one of their four meetings during the course of the planning process. Marion Master Trails Plan Page | 1 The City held two open house events to encourage public participation and solicit input from community residents and stakeholders. The first open house, held on February 25, 2014, provided attendees with an overview of the planning process, highlighting the building blocks of a trail and on-street bikeway network and existing conditions for walking and bicycling in Marion. The second open house was held on May 29th, 2014 and presented the draft recommendations for new trails and on-street bikeways, as well as supporting programs and activities that can help to activate the trails and encourage more walking, bicycling Figure 3: Kesha Billings, Associate Planner with the City of Marion,