Assessing Your Trails, Keeping Them Safe and Enjoyable

Transcription

1 Jon Wood, PLA, ASLA Associate Vice President Stewart Bert Lynn, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP Project Manager Mecklenburg County Asset and Facility Management Assessing Your Trails, Keeping Them Safe and Enjoyable

2 Assessing Your Trails Do you have trails that are not being used regularly? Do your users feel your trails are safe? Is trail maintenance a problem? How often do you assess your trails?

3 Assessing Your Trails

4 Assessing Your Trails

5 Assessing Your Trails Evaluate & Assess CPTED for Trails Proper Trail Maintenance Assessing for Future Trails

6 Evaluate & Assess Planning the Assessment

7 Evaluate & Assess Survey current trail users What trail facilities are being used? What trail facilities are not? Why? Are users attracted to other trail systems further away? Why? Are there safety perceptions? Is maintenance an issue? How is trail access? How is trail connectivity?

8 Evaluate & Assess Let s do an assessment Neighborhood connectivity? Trailhead/Access appeal? Maintenance of corridor? Maintenance/condition of trail surface? ADA? Visibility? Benches, trash cans, etc? Attractive for users? Feels safe for users? Distance to roadways? Distance to schools? Other? Rocky River Greenway

9 Evaluate & Assess Let s do an assessment

10 Evaluate & Assess

11 Evaluate & Assess Assessment Results - Issues Boardwalk/bridge structures not structurally sound Vegetation overgrowth Erosion problems Not enough destinations Narrow trail width Poor connectivity to neighborhoods Visibility problems

12 Evaluate & Assess Assessment Results - Opportunities Connectivity to schools Wildlife habitat Better definition of trail corridor Passive recreation nodes Trail extension?

13 Evaluate & Assess Addressing the issues Boardwalk/bridge structures not structurally sound Replacing all existing developer built structures with properly designed boardwalks and bridges Vegetation overgrowth Have cleared immediate underbrush, removed dead, decaying trees from immediate edge of corridor Erosion problems Amending existing gravel, converting to trail base with asphalt tread and gravel shoulders. Not enough destinations Have introduced fishing pier/outdoor classroom, picnic shelter, seating areas and rain garden Narrow trail width increased trail width from 6-8 wide to 10 wide with 12 gravel shoulders each side Poor connectivity to neighborhoods existing access points will be signed, grades addressed and paved. New access to Moss Farm Street and schools. Visibility problems A wider trail corridor has been cleared to give better visibility both along and to the greenway.

14 Evaluate & Assess Building on the Opportunities Connectivity to schools Trail awarded a Safe Routes to School grant to connect the neighborhoods to the schools and the schools to the environment. Wildlife habitat Introduction of an outdoor classroom and rain garden area expand environmental education curriculum. Better definition of trail corridor Widened trail and corridor opens visibility, more inviting to users; better perception of safety. Passive recreation nodes Introduction of seating areas, picnic shelter and environmental education facilities enhance the linear park. Trail extension? an additional half mile of greenway being added to existing corridor extending the trail to additional neighborhoods and sidewalks.

15 Assessing Your Trails Evaluate & Assess CPTED for Trails Proper Trail Maintenance Assessing for Future Trails

16 CPTED for Trails Goal of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) To plan and design the physical environment in order to reduce or eliminate opportunities for crime while improving the quality of life.

17 CPTED for Trails Objectives Encourage bicycle and pedestrian use Increase demand for greenways, parks and open space Encourage connectivity Enhance the visual quality of the experience Promote destinations

18 CPTED for Trails Key CPTED Concepts: 1. Natural Access Control 2. Natural Surveillance 3. Territoriality Definition 4. Activity Support 5. Management and Maintenance

19 CPTED for Trails 1. Natural Access Control (controls access) Guide trail users ingress, egress, and while on trails access points, fencing, landscaping, lighting Decrease opportunities for criminal activity Directional wayfinding

20 CPTED for Trails 2. Natural Surveillance (increases visibility) Create visual connectivity between spaces and destinations Maximize visibility through placement of features, access and activities Feeling of observation reduces risk of crime Keep environment maintained

21 CPTED for Trails 3. Territoriality Definition (promotes a sense of ownership) Well designed trailheads and neighborhood access points Clear definition between private and public spaces

22 CPTED for Trails 3. Territoriality Definition (promotes a sense of ownership) Addition of fencing, signage, wayfinding, lighting, landscaping, special pavements, art, etc. Show that someone cares about this space

23 CPTED for Trails 4. Activity Support (fosters community interaction) Community events, festivals, involvement in design and trail improvements, result in community interaction and ownership Encourage multiple group ownership Walk with a Doc More trail use(rs) = safer trail

24 CPTED for Trails 5. Maintenance & Management (deters offenders) Adopt a trail programs aid in maintenance and management, also in ownership Consistency is important Only build what you can maintain Someone cares what happens to this space!

25 CPTED for Trails 5. Maintenance & Management (deters offenders) Limb up trees Create open spaces eyes on the trail Trim trees around lighting Thin out shrubs, brush Empty trash cans Replace furnishings Introduce gardens, color, artwork Create a Trail watch group

26 Assessing Your Trails Evaluate & Assess CPTED for Trails Proper Trail Maintenance Assessing for Future Trails

27 CPTED for Trails Key CPTED Concepts: 1. Natural Access Control 1. Trailheads 2. Neighborhood accesses 3. Parks 2. Natural Surveillance 1. Trim underbrush 2. Trail siting 3. Territoriality 1. Well defined spaces 2. Natural buffers 3. Fences/landscape buffers 4. Activity Support 1. Programming 5. Maintenance 1. Maintenance program

28 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Focuses: Environment The Tipping Point Malcolm Gladwell New York City Crime Broken Windows Theory by Wilson and Kelling If a broken window remains unrepaired, passers by assume no one cares and no one is in charge Leads to more crime

29 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance for Safety Proper maintenance will: Show trail is cared for Maintain facility investment Ensure longevity Maintain safe and consistent trail surface Maintain visual corridors and trail clearances

30 Proper Trail Maintenance Build with Maintenance in Mind Trail Tread Don t skimp Use the right trail material Ensure proper location Observe construction

31 Proper Trail Maintenance Build with Maintenance in Mind Shoulders Clear enough space Clear the right material Make grades manageable Know your equipment

32 Proper Trail Maintenance Build with Maintenance in Mind Environment Standard finishes and furnishings Build to last Use proven methods Know the capabilities of your crew

33 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Focuses: Regular Episodic Annual Long-term Maintenance Areas: Trail Tread Shoulders Environment

34 Proper Trail Maintenance Regular Maintenance Paved Evaluate drainage Clear trail Trail Tread Nature Surface Evaluate drainage Soft spots Clear trail Cut the grass Pick-up litter Shoulders Trim overgrowth Evaluate visibility Pick-up litter Empty trash Pet waste stations Graffiti and vandalism Environment Empty trash Pet waste stations Graffiti and vandalism

35 Proper Trail Maintenance Episodic Maintenance

36 Proper Trail Maintenance Episodic Maintenance Paved Clear trail tread Washouts Trail Tread Nature Surface Washouts and erosion Downed limbs/trees Washed litter Shoulders Downed limbs/trees Washed litter Graffiti and vandalism Debris at crossings Fixtures Environment Graffiti and vandalism Fixtures

37 Proper Trail Maintenance Annual Maintenance Paved Assessment Leaf removal Tread and structure repair Assessment Trim and clear underbrush Larger vegetation removal Assessment Structure and trailhead repair Trail Tread Shoulders Environment Nature Surface Assessment Tread repair Trail re-route Assessment Trim and clear underbrush Larger vegetation removal Assessment Structure and trailhead repair

38 Proper Trail Maintenance Long-Term Maintenance Paved Trail surface replacement Trail structures Trail Tread Nature Surface Tread repair Trail re-route Trail structures Grading improvements Structure repair Trailhead improvements New amenities Shoulders Environment Larger vegetation removal Grading improvements Structure repair Trailhead improvements New amenities

39 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Example 1 Carolina Thread Trail Programmed and maintained by various entities Carolina Thread Trail City/town/county governments Non-profit/community organizations Volunteer based labor lead by key personnel Advantage: lower annual costs Disadvantage: less frequent maintenance, coordination

40 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Example 2 Mecklenburg County Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department Program and Maintain Operational budgets, CIP, grants, and transportation funding Dedicated maintenance staff Advantage: Frequent and consistent care Disadvantage: higher annual costs, personnel dependent, equipment requirements

41 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Example 3 Pocatello, Idaho Portneuf Greenway Trail System Multi-faceted approach: City of Pocatello Public Works City of Pocatello Parks & Recreation Portneuf Greenway Foundation Adopt-A-Reach groups Community service organizations and volunteers

42 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Example 3 Chart designates responsibilities and schedules Advantage: spreads responsibility, fosters community Disadvantage: communication ing.org/maintenanc eplan.pdf

43 Proper Trail Maintenance Maintenance Tips Build it right the first time Budget for maintenance Know the capabilities of your crew Get users involved Don t be afraid to ask for help Make a plan and follow it

44 Assessing Your Trails Evaluate & Assess CPTED for Trails Proper Trail Maintenance Assessing for Future Trails

45 Assessing For Future Trails Downtown Connector Greenway, Concord NC

46 Assessing For Future Trails

47 Assessing For Future Trails Downtown Connector Greenway, Concord NC

48 Assessing For Future Trails Downtown Connector Greenway, Concord NC

49 Assessing Your Trails Questions/Sharing

50 Assessing Your Trails Jon Wood, PLA, ASLA Bert Lynn, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP