Corrales Trails Master Plan Prepared for the Village of Corrales, New Mexico By Resource Technology, Inc April 15, 2009 Reviewed and Updated by the Corrales Trails Master Plan Task Force September, 2016 8 Scott Kominiak, Mayor Village Council Pat Clauser David Dornburg James F. Fahey, Jr. Ennio Garcia-Miera Philip Gasteyer George Wright Thank you to all of the following: Village Staff John Avila, Village Administrator Jennifer Hise, Village Clerk Anthony Martinez, Fire Department Chief Lynn Siverts, Public Services Director Cynthia Tidwell, Planning and Zoning Administrator Chris Sisneros, Building and Zoning Inspector 2015-16 Master Trails Task Force Members Sandy Rasmussen – Safe Routes to Schools Janet Stokes – Corrales Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Tony Messec – Parks and Recreation Commission Brian Dail – Bosque Advisory Commission Wayne Kirkby – Corrales Horse and Mule People John McKean – Equestrian Advisory Commission Allan Tinkham – Corrales MainStreet The Task Force would also like to recognize the following individuals for their assistance in completing this revision of this report: Jeff Radford Nancy Schaufele Chris Allen Sayre Gerhart Pat Clauser 9 2009 Report Participants Philip Gasteyer, Mayor Village Council John Alsobrook Pat Clauser James F. Fahey, Jr. Gerard Gagliano Bonnie L. Gonzales Sayre Gerhart Thank you to all of the following: Village Staff Nora Scherzinger, Village Administrator Juan Reyes, Village Clerk Anthony Martinez, Fire Department Chief Lynn Siverts, Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Tidwell, Planning and Zoning Administrator Chris Sisneros, Building and Zoning Inspector Tony Tafoya, Public Works Director Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Ray Gomez, Assistant Engineer Yasmeen Najmi, Planner Andre Sanchez, Ditch Rider Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority David Stoliker, Executive Director Trevor Alsup, Field/Drainage Engineer New Mexico Department of Transportation, District III Tony Abbo, District Traffic Engineer National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Attila Bality, Planner Advisory Committee Members Philip Gasteyer, Mayor Sayre Gerhart, Village Council Jim Fahey, Village Council Bonnie Gonzalez, Village Council Corrales Trails Master Plan Nora Scherzinger, Village Administrator 10 Ann Taylor, Corrales MainStreet Jim Kruger, Corrales MainStreet Karen Kennicott Moe Hickey, SRTS Yasmeen Najmi, MRGCD Brian Kilcup, CBAC Mick Harper, Planning and Zoning Commission Penny Perkins, Landmark Trees Sue Hallgarth, Landmark Trees Steve Henry, CHAMP, Equestrian Commission, CBAC Sandra Brown, CBAC Robin Riegor, CBAC Karen Barnett, CBAC Al Duarte, Bosque Commission Ahren Edelhoff, Corrales Citizen Linda Fahey, Corrales Citizen Focus Group Participants Cheryl Williams Pamela Koster Elena Kayak, SRTS, CBPAC Al Knight, Corrales MainStreet George Marr, Horseman Bill Averill, Horseman Jeff Radford, CBPAC David Robertson Brian Kilcup, CPBAC Holly Roberts Patti Sego Dave Sego Lisa Sego Lars Sego Chris Wentz Alfred (Larry) Salas Thank you also to everyone who attended the Public Meetings for this project! 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS Forward Page 1 Executive Summary Page 4 PURPOSE BACKGROUND VISION PLANNING GOALS PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SUMMARY EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS PLAN ELEMENTS IMPLEMENTATION TOOL KIT Introduction Page 11 VILLAGE CONTEXT PURPOSE AND NEED TRAIL TRENDS AND BENEFITS RECENT VILLAGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Existing Conditions Page 16 EXISTING TRAILS FACILITIES PLANNING FRAMEWORK TRAIL OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT KEY ATTRACTIONS & DESTINATIONS WITHIN THE VILLAGE TRAIL CONNECTIONS TO ADJACENT COMMUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS IN-USE ROUTE IDENTIFICATION Trail Plan Elements Page 32 PLANNING APPROACH VISION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES TRAILS ANALYSIS METHOD PROPOSED TRAIL SYSTEM DETAILS 12 Implementation Page 46 ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ACTION PLAN TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROCESS SUMMARY TRAIL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES TRAIL USE POLICIES MEASUREMENT OF SUCCESS Design Guidelines Page 56 GUIDING THEMES MULTI-USE TRAILS IN CORRALES TRAIL SURFCING CONSIDERATIONS ROADWAY CROSSINGS SIGNAGE TRAIL ACCESS TRAIL AMENITIES MAINTENANCE MAPS Page 71 CORRALES PATHWAY DESIRED ROUTES & ACCESS POINTS CORRALES HORSE & MULE PEOPLE IN-USE ROUTES CORRALES BIKE LANES, TRAILS & ROUTES SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IN-USE ROUTES 1995 CORRALES ROAD SCENIC BYWAY PLAN MRGCD DITCH BANKS 13 Appendix A: Acronyms and Definitions Page 72 Appendix B: Public and Agency Input Summary Page 75 Appendix C: Street Conditions Index and Plat Research Page 91 Appendix D: Prioritization Criteria and Preliminary Rankings Page 111 Appendix E: Funding Opportunities Page 115 Appendix F: References and Resources Page 116 Appendix G: Design Guidelines Background Page 121 14 Forward 2015-16 Corrales Master Trails Plan In April, 2009, Resource Technology, Inc. completed and presented to the Village Council a proposed Corrales Trails Master Plan. The report was accepted by the Council, but the plan was not adopted. In February, 2015, the Council appointed a Trails Task Force to examine the 2009 report, correct inaccuracies, update information, and suggest priorities. The task force was comprised of representatives of major groups of trail and pathway users. The goal was to develop a plan that could be adopted by the Council by ordinance in order to form a flexible guideline for trails planning and to emphasize the Village’s commitment to enabling non-motorized transportation. Beginning in March, 2015, the Task Force met twice monthly and prepared a revised draft of the original report, correcting factual errors and updating outdated information. For example, the Task Force removed Angel Road as a proposed bike trail route and added Rhythm’s Way as a completed and functioning equestrian trail. The 2009 report envisioned more than 50 miles of dedicated recreational trails within the Village at a construction cost in 2009 dollars of $4.8 million. The report also envisioned an ongoing management and maintenance program funded by the Village. The task force believes that should remain the general long-range goal, although current financial resources are limited and specifics may change over time. By adopting the plan by ordinance rather than as an ordinance, the Village government will retain the flexibility to adjust the plan as resources and circumstances evolve. In the shorter term, the task force suggests three goals: • Preserve, enhance and formalize the impressive system of trails and pathways that already exists in the Village • Expand access to existing trails and pathways • Acquire and construct new trails according to the plan as opportunities present themselves 1 The task force believes there are steps that can be taken immediately in each of these areas. The original master plan study outlined a proposed 10-year development list and suggested regular updates. In that spirit, the task force identified the following specific projects meriting immediate attention: • Formalizing the customary use within Corrales of ditch banks, paths and trails that are on property controlled by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, the flood control district, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or other public or private entities. • Trails and pathways along West Meadowlark, including safety improvements to the Meadowlark/Loma Larga intersection. The project planning is essentially complete and the project is awaiting funding. • A connection from West Coronado to the Thompson Fence Line trail in Rio Rancho to facilitate better bicycle access without blocking equestrian or pedestrian access and without enabling motor vehicle access. The project is planned, funded and awaiting construction in 2016. • A connection between West Sagebrush and the Thompson Fence Line trail. The Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control District has planned its portion of this project and intends construction in 2016. The Village portion still must be planned, funded and constructed. • Trails and pathways connecting the north and south portions of the Village through or over the flood control channels. The flood control district has some plans for low-water crossings, but better access from the Village needs to be obtained and a bridge for recreational use may be the best long-term solution. • A trail or pathway along the Corrales Road right of way, particularly within the commercial district of the Village. In 2015, the state Transportation Department surveyed and clarified the right of way. The state, Village and Corrales MainStreet should work together to make this long-desired feature happen, along with safer and more effective crossing points on Corrales Road for adult pedestrians, school children, equestrians and bicyclists. It is important to note the Village of Corrales has limited opportunities to generate the revenue required for the completion of some of the goals in this revised report. In the past, the Village has relied upon outside funding sources such as grants as well as the generous involvement of its citizens in terms of donations of property, volunteer time and cash funding. Given these constraints, it is anticipated the goals of this plan will be implemented over time as circumstances allow. The members of the 2015-16 task force and their respective constituent groups look forward to continuing to work with the Village to implement this master plan in order to fulfill the goal of developing a multiuse trails network that enhances the health, well-being and quality of life of the residents of Corrales. 2 I. EXECUTIVE