Post on 25-Apr-2020
URBAN TRAILSDEVELOPING
LEARNING OBJECTIVES• Highlight complexities• Discuss common points of
hesitation• Share lessons learned• Highlight strategies• Answer questions
OVERVIEW• “What is an Urban Trail?”• Potential Pitfalls• Case Studies• Takeaways• Questions
WHAT IS AN URBAN TRAIL?
an urban trail is not….
an urban trail is ….
shared use
creative locations
opportunities abound
opportunities abound
so many challenges
Private Property
Limited Access Utility
Easements
Limited Width
Transportation CorridorsProperty
Ownership
“Not in my backyard”
“Too much development”
“Increase crime”
“Who will use this”
Environmental issues
CASE STUDY – SAN TOMAS AQUINO CREEK TRAIL
user conflictsWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
user conflictsWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
user conflictsWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
user conflictsWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
strategies
CommunityManaging Public Outreach
• Maximize attendance• Immediate neighbors most
vested• Must capture the greater
community to reduce NIMBY’ism
• Increase noticing radius & utilize multiple methods
lessons learned
CommunityManaging Public Outreach
• Immediate neighbors most vested
• High attendance• Must capture the greater
community to reduce NIMBY’ism
• Increase noticing radius & utilize multiple methods
CommunityLessons Learned
• Strive for a true cross section• Don’t allow a single group to
dominate the conversation• Break the trail into segments to
better gauge support and identify issues
• Be open to where the input takes you
strategies
TAC GroupMajor Stakeholders
• Without their support project is a non-starter
• Engage as partners• Vet project prior to public input• Builds consensus• Meetings + site walks
strategies
TAC GroupMajor Stakeholders
• Water District SCVWD • School District CUHSD• City Staff• Adjacent Communities
complex crossingsWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
Challenges• Accessibility• Right of way / Adj. Residential• Non-compliant bridge• Impact on stream maintenance• Well loved
complex crossings
complex crossings
concerned neighbors
lessons learnedWestmont High School
Forest Hill Elem.
Status• Lack of support at Council• Continued discussions with
SCVWD• Currently evaluating two bridge
scheme and on-street alternative
Successful Trail Development Along Creeks• Over 50 miles of trail
constructed on District property along 30 creeks, 2 pipelines, 10 reservoirs and 9 groundwater recharge facilities
• 14 public agencies including 11 cities, Santa Clara County, Open Space Authority, Berryessa School District
• 67 active Joint Use Agreements
• Most recreational trails were constructed over levee or maintenance roads
• Concepts to preserve the integrity of creek environment and the need for park development and public access were reflected in early projects and trail master plans
Balancing Development with Stewardship and Operations• Increasing demand for
additional trails, transportation corridors, bridge crossings and trail undercrossings
• Inclusion of urban amenities such as artwork, kiosks, and lighting within the stream corridor and riparian areas
Challenges to Trail Development• District staff has recognized
challenges in reconciling trail design and alignment with at least two District policies:
– E-4.2.2. Support healthy communities by providing access to additional trails, parks, and open space along creeks and in the watershed
– E-4.1.1. Preserve creeks, bay, and ecosystems through environmental stewardship
Stream Corridor ImpactsTransportation– Efficient direct route– Smooth paved surface– Wide widths and shoulders– Gentle grades– 24/7 operational hours– All weather availabilitySpace limitations– Direct trail alignments through
riparian corridor– Place trails in channel, on lower
maintenance roads, under bridges, inside floodwalls
– Require significant infrastructure such as retaining walls
Urban amenities– Lighting, artwork, fountains, kiosks,
signs– Call boxes, benches, aesthetic
landscaping– Decorative pavement and
waterfront cafes
Operational ImpactsTransportation– Closures for mowing, tree removal, in
stream vegetation and sediment removal not respected
– Increased District costs for security, compromised safety of staff and the public, and poor treatment of staff
– Trail construction removes vegetation and results in requests to install mitigation measures on District property
Hardscape and Urban Amenities– Operations modified to avoid damage to
walls and pavement, and disruption to trail users
– Compromised access and increased cost
Bridges– Disrupt maintenance access– Require exclusionary netting or reduces
work window due to nesting birds– The proliferation of access points and
levee access ramps poses safety concerns and interrupts operations
– Trail proximity to top of bank increases bank erosion
Trail Development Along Saratoga Creek -Homestead Rd to Kiely Blvd-
Proposed Trail Location
Proposed Trail Layout
Proposed Trail Layout
Proposed Trail Layout
Trail Cross Section A STA 13+74 to 14+48
Trail Cross Section B STA 17+16 to 17+86
Trail Cross Section C STA 17+86 to 26+41
Trail Cross Section D STA 30+58 to 31+34
Evolving Practices• Ensuring that pavement is
outside the riparian corridor and above top of bank (excluding undercrossings);
• Pavement is limited to one side of the creek channel;
• Access ramps on the back slope of levees are sited strategically and trail connection access points serve the general public and not a single landowner;
• Pedestrian bridges, hardscape improvements, and lighting are minimized;
• Impacts to maintenance operations are minimized by anticipating the access, circulation and storage needs of the District.
Current Collaboration Efforts with Cities
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Ravenswood Bay Trail Project
Gretchen LaustsenOpen Space Planner
MIDPENINSULA REGIONALOPEN SPACE DISTRICT
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Completes 0.6 mile gap in SF Bay Trail between University Avenue & Ravenswood Preserve
Opens 80 miles continuous Bay Trail north to East Palo Alto/Menlo Park, south to Mountain View/Sunnyvale & Dumbarton Bridge to East Bay
Improves access for East Palo Alto residents to Bay Trail, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve & Cooley Landing Park
Supports Midpen’s Measure AA Project #2 Regional: Bayfront Habitat Protection and Public Access Partnerships
Ravenswood Bay Trail Project Goals
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Ravenswood Bay Trail Project Location
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Existing Bike Routes
Source: Strava
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Project Timeline
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Feasibility Study and Conceptual Design
Environmental Review
Property Rights
Secured
Design Development Permitting Construction
2005 – 2015ABAG’s SF Bay Trail Gap Analysis
Menlo Park’s Bay Trail Feasibility StudyMidpen’s Conceptual Trail Alignment
2016Midpen’s ISMND Certified & Conceptual Trail Alignment
Approved by Board of Directors
2018Public Trail Easement Recorded
SFPUC to Midpen
2016 - 2019Schematic Design
Geotechnical InvestigationConstruction Plan
2018 - 2019Extensive Permitting
Fall 2019 –Winter 2020
Target Construction Schedule
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Easement Exchange
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Trail Easement Terms & Management
USES - Hiking, Bicycling, Jogging, Nature Observation & Accessible to persons with mobility impairments
MANAGEMENT – Midpen responsible for patrol, enforcement, trail construction & repair. Midpen and East Palo Alto Police Dept share emergency response obligations.
HOURS - Easement provides for Extended Trail hours from 5 AM to 10 PM to accommodate trail users and commuters.
TRAIL EASEMENT 20 ft wide with10 ft – 14 ft wide trail.
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Project Coordination with East Palo Alto
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Agency Coordination/Staff Meetings
City of East Palo Alto Staff Spring 2011
City of East Palo Alto Staff Summer 2012
East Palo Alto City Manager’s Office May 2015
East Palo Alto City Manager’s Office July 2016
East Palo Alto Development Review Committee February 2018
East Palo Alto Staff Site Tour March 2018
Public Meetings
East Palo Alto Planning Commission September 24, 2012
Midpen Real Property Committee in East Palo Alto February 16, 2016
East Palo Alto Planning Commission October 10, 2016
Midpen Board Meeting in East Palo Alto November 16, 2016
East Palo Alto PWTC March 21, 2018
East Palo Alto Planning Commission / City Council TBD
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East Palo Alto Plan Consistency
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MOU with East Palo Alto
Assign/Transfer of Trail Easement- If Midpen decides to assign or transfer Trail in future, East Palo Alto is given 1st opportunity to manage or own trail contingent upon staff & resources to manage trail.
Patrol & Emergency Response – Midpen responsible for patrol, East Palo Alto Police primary for emergency response.
Site Security- East Palo Alto & Midpen coordinate on fencing & security between Trail & University Village neighborhood.
Future Community Access to Trail - Midpen & East Palo Alto coordinate to provide additional community access to Bay Trail.
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Project Layout
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University Ave Trail Entrance
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Bridge Crossing
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Boardwalk Overlook
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Permitting Agencies
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City of East Palo Alto
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/National Marine Fisheries Service
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regional Water Quality Control Board
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
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Lessons Learned
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Outreach and Communication
Project Documentation
Plan for the Future
Timing is Everything