Zion Canyon Trail Feasibility Study TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary.................................................................................................... 1 2. Introduction................................................................................................................. 3 2.1. Project Overview ................................................................................................ 3 2.2. Steering Committee ............................................................................................ 3 2.3. Purpose and Need ............................................................................................... 4 2.4. Study Area .......................................................................................................... 4 2.5. Public Involvement Process................................................................................ 4 3. Existing Conditions..................................................................................................... 6 3.1. Community Overview......................................................................................... 6 3.2. Transportation................................................................................................... 10 4. Alternatives Analysis................................................................................................ 18 4.1. Environmental Issues........................................................................................ 18 4.2. Conceptual Alternatives.................................................................................... 20 4.3. Alignment Alternatives..................................................................................... 28 4.4. Selecting a Preferred Alignment....................................................................... 33 5. Preferred Zion Canyon Trail Alignment................................................................... 36 5.1. Phase One – SR-9 ............................................................................................. 36 5.2. Phase Two......................................................................................................... 39 5.3. Phase Three....................................................................................................... 42 5.4. Conceptual Trail Design ................................................................................... 46 5.5. Trailheads.......................................................................................................... 49 6. Common Trail Issues ................................................................................................ 53 6.1. Property Value Impacts..................................................................................... 53 6.2. Crime................................................................................................................. 53 6.3. Benefits of Trails............................................................................................... 53 6.4. Property Owner Liability .................................................................................. 54 6.5. Operations and Maintenance............................................................................. 55 6.6. Footnotes........................................................................................................... 55 7. Next Steps................................................................................................................. 56 7.1. Environmental Clearance.................................................................................. 56 7.2. Required Coordination...................................................................................... 56 7.3. Funding Strategies ............................................................................................ 58 8. Appendix................................................................................................................... 62 i LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Study Area........................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2: Existing Zoning ................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3: Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities and Activity Generators................. 12 Figure 4: Transit Stops and Parking Lots ......................................................................... 17 Figure 5: Environmental Constraints................................................................................ 19 Figure 6: Rockville Section .............................................................................................. 21 Figure 7: Orchard Section................................................................................................. 22 Figure 8: Driftwood Section ............................................................................................. 23 Figure 9: Town Section..................................................................................................... 24 Figure 10: Zion Section .................................................................................................... 25 Figure 11: Alignment #1................................................................................................... 30 Figure 12: Alignment #2................................................................................................... 31 Figure 13: Alignment #3................................................................................................... 32 Figure 14: Preferred Trail Alignment, Phase One ............................................................ 38 Figure 15: Preferred Trail Alignment, Phase Two............................................................ 41 Figure 16: Preferred Trail Alignment, Phase Three.......................................................... 45 Figure 17: Wayfinding Concepts and Examples .............................................................. 51 Figure 18: Trailheads and Wayfinding ............................................................................. 52 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: 2000 and 2005 Populations................................................................................... 6 Table 2: GOPB Population Projections .............................................................................. 6 Table 3: Zion National Park Visitation, 2002 - 2005.......................................................... 9 Table 4: Journey to Work, Rockville and Springdale....................................................... 10 Table 5: Pa’rus Trail Usage in Zion National Park........................................................... 13 Table 6: Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts ........................................................................... 14 Table 7: Traffic Volumes on SR-9.................................................................................... 15 Table 8: Shuttle Ridership ................................................................................................ 16 Table 9: Conceptual Cost Estimates for Alignments........................................................ 34 Table 10: Phase One Preliminary Opinion of Probable Costs.......................................... 37 Table 11: Phase Two Preliminary Opinion of Probable Costs ......................................... 40 Table 12: Phase Three Preliminary Opinion of Probable Costs ....................................... 44 Table 13: Cost Estimates for Surface Treatment Options ................................................ 47 Table 14: Summary of Proposed Trailheads..................................................................... 50 Table 15: Examples of Operating and Maintenance Activities ........................................ 55 Table 16: State and Federal Funding Sources................................................................... 61 Table 17: Funding Sources Contact List........................................................................... 61 ii 1. Executive Summ ary The Zion Canyon Trail Feasibility Study examines trail alternatives and potential usage in Washington County, Utah, near Zion National Park. The study area extends from Rockville, Utah, to Springdale, Utah, and the south entrance of Zion National Park. It includes an area of considerable beauty and numerous constraints. This study is a planning document, combining elements of trail planning, public involvement, funding research, and technical analysis. This study seeks to identify a bicycle and pedestrian facility connecting Rockville to Zion National Park, which would meet an emerging transportation need in the community. Seasonal travel restrictions within Zion National Park limit motor vehicle access, and there is increased need for alternative transportation modes (transit, bicycling, and walking). Such a facility could provide year-round opportunities to meet travel demands during seasonal travel restrictions. The study began with an assessment of existing conditions, considering traffic volumes, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit usage, established land use patterns, and Zion National Park visitation. Zion National Park is a significant force in the local economy, and brought 2.6 million visitors to Springdale in 2006. Many of these visitors enjoy recreational activities in the area such as hiking, biking, rock climbing, and canyoneering; both visitors and residents would benefit from a trail facility connecting