The Master Plan, Walkability, and Trails in the City of Solon April 23, 2018
Tonight s topics 1. Existing trail options in the City of Solon 2. Potential trail options 3. How trails and walkability converge with the Master Plan Center of Town/Redevelopment Concept 4. Panel of experts and audience discussion
Our panel representatives Expertise in the benefits and impacts of trails from a local and regional perspective and include the following: Sean McDermott, Chief Planning and Design Officer, Cleveland Metroparks Isaac Smith, Conservation Program Manager, Cleveland Metroparks Christine Craycroft, Executive Director, Portage County Park District Christina Znidarsic, Associate Director, Chagrin River Watershed Partners Brett Rodstrom, Vice President of Eastern Field Operations, Western Reserve Land Conservancy Mayor Ed Kraus, City of Solon Mayor William A. Tomko, Village of Chagrin Falls City of Solon Directors from the Planning, Police, Recreation, Fire, Engineering, and Service departments
Other Partners Organizations that have been supportive partners with our trail discussions over the years Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Rails to Trails Conservancy Geauga Park District National Park Service Friends of the Western Reserve Greenway NOACA Ohio Greenways Federal and State Congressmen Stavich Bike Trail Board Eastgate Regional COG
EXISTING TRAILS WITHIN SOLON (Hawthorn Parkway, Community Center, Pettibone Rd.) Hawthorn Parkway Community Center Pettibone/Liberty Rd
Hawthorn Parkway
Hawthorn Parkway Owned by the Cleveland Metroparks (South Chagrin Reservation) 5.1 mile long, 9 wide paved walk/bike trail and adjacent bridle trail Trail generally progresses through open space and residential areas Provides access to the greater regional trail system including the Bedford Reservation, Towpath Trail, and the Buckeye Trail
Hawthorn Parkway Adjacent to 532 acres of Metropark preserved land Pavilions, picnic, and restroom facilities available. Parking areas provide approximately 140 parking spaces Probably the most used trail in Solon and an excellent example of a multi-purpose trail
Solon Community Center Trail Solon Schools Community Center
Solon Community Center Trail 3.2 mile long, 9 wide paved walk/bike trail (with sidewalk connections) Located on property owned by the City of Solon, Solon City Schools, and the Preserve Subdivision Trail progresses through public and residential areas Provides local access to the Community Center, ball diamonds, tennis courts, skate park, playgrounds, Solon Community Park, Parkside Elementary, Solon Middle School, Cuyahoga Public Library
Solon Community Center Trail The trails were first installed in the 1990 s during construction of Portz Parkway The trails were subsequently expanded during construction of the Community Center in 2002
Pettibone/Liberty Road Trail 2.5 mile long, 9 wide paved walk/bike trail Located within city owned right of way The trail progresses primarily through residential areas. Provides local connection to the City of Twinsburg s Liberty Park and extends into Glenwillow Village industrial area.
Pettibone/Liberty Road Trail Installed in 2009 as part of a larger road improvement project
The Master Plan Process and Resident Input
Master Plan Community Attitudes Survey At 72%, residents indicated that more bike and hike trails are needed in Solon. The most frequently mentioned leisure activity was for improved/expanded paths/trails including better bike/hike/walking trails and sidewalks that connect to downtown and other developments.
Master Plan Community Attitudes Survey Residents responded that out of any other activity, they were more likely to walk, run, jog, bike or participate in some other form of outdoor exercise.
Master Plan Goal Statements
Potential Trail Options Cleveland to Youngstown Trail Solon to Chagrin Falls Trail
CLEVELAND TO YOUNGSTOWN TRAIL Location and Basic Information Service SOM Overpass Harper Rd. SOM Center Rd. No Service Follows the Norfolk Southern Railroad right of way 5 mile long section in Solon Currently active railroad service to Harper Road No service east to Grantwood Golf Course 12 + wide paved trail with ADA accessibility
CLEVELAND TO YOUNGSTOWN TRAIL Connections and Economic Development Interlinks the broad spectrum of uses in Solon: Industrial, Central Retail District, Residential areas, Public areas Industrial CRD Residential PROVIDES Vital connection between all of Solon s existing trails Alternative transportation opportunities to Solon residents Interesting and varied scenery Economic development benefits to the Central Retail District and Industrial Area
Cleveland to Youngstown Trail in Regional Context More than just a 5 mile trail in Solon potentially 72 + mile regional connector Cleveland to Youngstown 98% of the railroad east of Harper is already vacated, in the process of being vacant, no service, or an existing trail Approximately 20 miles of existing trail so far Unique opportunity for connections between entire NE Ohio trail system
CLEVELAND TO YOUNGSTOWN TRAIL Portage County Headwaters Trail 8 miles long between Mantua and Garrettsville Mahoning County Stavich Bike Trail 12 miles long (Ohio and Pennsylvania)
Cleveland to Youngstown Trail Status Trail location is currently controlled by Norfolk Southern Railroad and subleased to Cleveland Commercial Railroad Railroad service exists west of Harper Road Railroad service is inactive from east of Harper Road Railroad has filed to vacate all existing right of way from 1.6 miles east of the Solon border to Mantua and the existing Headwaters Trail. City is in contact with Norfolk Southern to discuss vacating all of the line in Solon up to Harper Road The City has not applied for trail funding or proposed detailed trail plans at this time
SOLON TO CHAGRIN FALLS TRAIL ODNR Trails for Ohioans A Plan for the Future trail #4074 Follows 2.1 miles of the former Chagrin Falls and Southern Railroad right of way. Right of way was purchased by the City in 1992 Cleveland Metroparks ownership of the right of way begins at the Solon/Bentleyville border
SOLON TO CHAGRIN FALLS TRAIL Connections and Economic Development Solon to Chagrin Falls Trail CRD Connects a wide variety of property types and uses Trail commences at the heart of the Central Retail District and interlinks commercial, office, industrial, and residential neighborhoods The trail Provides alternative transportation opportunities for Solon residents Provides viable connectivity to other Solon trails, including the Community Center trail and the planned Cleveland to Youngstown trail Promotes walkability in the downtown area, as per the Solon Master Plan Promotes economic development benefits in the CRD Residential
SOLON TO CHAGRIN FALLS TRAIL IN REGIONAL CONTEXT More than just Solon trail proceeds 2.2 miles to Downtown Chagrin Falls Connects to Cleveland Metroparks owned right of way and the larger regional metroparks trail system The regional nature of the trail is its strength CRD Installed trail
SOLON TO CHAGRIN FALLS TRAIL Existing Conditions Trails located outside of Solon
SOLON TO CHAGRIN FALLS TRAIL STATUS Trail is included in the ODNR Trails for Ohians plan as Trail #4074 The entire Solon portion of the trail route is in City ownership (purchased in 1992) Cleveland Metroparks owns most of the former railroad right of way outside of Solon (including 1.6 miles of installed trail) City has started to explore funding opportunities 1) $300,000 designated for the trail under the State of Ohio Capital Budget program 2) $500,000 in trail funding pending before the ODNR under the Clean Ohio Trail Fund grant Full cost of constructing the 2 mile section of trail in solon is estimated at $998,500 Regional connection to Chagrin Falls will require partnership to solve the challenge of crossing the Chagrin River floodplain in Bentleyville City Council has not yet approved the project and substantial resident input will be required.
Center of Town/Redevelopment Area The closest point of convergence of the Solon to Chagrin Falls Trail and the Cleveland to Youngstown Trail occurs in the heart of the CRD 1/3 mile separation between trails The trails bracket the north and south side of the strategic Center of Town area Focal point of the Master Plan Citizen s Committee for redevelopment Redevelopment goals: Attractive Walkable Restaurants Shops Entertainment Vibrancy
Trails and Walkability Today in the Downtown Area Existing Conditions near and adjacent to project area
Master Plan Center of Town Redevelopment Concept Solon does have options and a future vision Overall Plan Sears/Marcs/Carter Lumber Redevelopment Area Bainbridge/Som Redevelopment Area
Master Plan Center of Town Redevelopment Concept 2 Master Plan Concepts: Sears/Marcs/Carter Lumber Redevelopment Area Bainbridge/SOM Redevelopment Area Overall Plan Sears/Marcs/Carter Lumber Redevelopment Area Bainbridge/Som Redevelopment Area Outdoor entertainment events center Green spaces Museums New bridge façade and decorative retaining walls Walkability Mixed use redevelopment (shops, restaurants, outdoor seating, entertainment, green spaces, pedestrian orientated redevelopment) Quality architecture and design Realignment of Bainbridge Road Walkability
Walkability and the Center of Town Redevelopment Area Trails link and bracket the north and south sides of the Center of Town Redevelopment Area 1/3 mile connector trail link the two trails Connector access pedestrian oriented redevelopment of Sears Marcs Carter Lumber SOM Boulevard design and Bainbridge Rd. realignment provide foundation for a walkable, pedestrian friendly downtown
The Master Plan, Walkability, and Trails in the City of Solon THANK YOU. PANEL OF EXPERTS AND AUDIENCE DISCUSSION