Connellsville Pennsylvania

Trail Town Assessment

Conducted May 20th 2011

Yough County Symposium

Fayette County Cultural Trust 502 South Pittsburgh Street

Connellsville, Pennsylvania 15425

www.fayettetrust.org

Traffic & Access Issues Assessment

General Access between Trail and Town Yes ----- No T1 What is the distance between the business district and the trail? 6

Blocks

T2 Is it easy for visitors to find and access downtown from the trail? 5 5

T3 Is there an easy grade between trail and town? 6 1 2

Signage

T4 Is there adequate signage for motorists to find the trailhead from town? 4 3 4

T5 Are there sign ordinances? 1 2

T6 Are Sign ordinances being enforced? 2

T7 Is there adequate signage from the trail leading to the town? 1 2 9

T8 Is there sufficient signage for finding businesses and services? 1 2 7

Safety

T9 Not counting the trail, are there bike lanes or share the road signs in town?

1 1 5

T10 Are bike lanes and road shoulders free of potholes, kept clean and free of debris?

2 3 4

T11 Are the sidewalks in good shape? 4 5

T12 Are sidewalks wide enough to accommodate pedestrian traffic? 2 4 3

T13 Do curb cuts have a gentle slope? 5 2 2

T14 Are all sidewalks continuous (vs. stopping abruptly) in the central business district?

3 3 1

T15 Are crosswalks well marked? 3 5 2

T16 Do motorists generally respect pedestrians in crosswalks? 1 3 5

T17 Are there pedestrian walk/don’t walk signal? 4 1

T18 Do signals allow enough time for a child or older adult to cross the street?

1 2 3

T19 Are pedestrians highly visible to motorists at crossings? 3 1 2

T20 As a pedestrian, do you feel safe when walking through town? 5 2 2

Parking (Vehicles and Bicycles) T21 Is there sufficient on-street parking? 2 3 4

T22 Are off-street parking lots placed behind stores? 5 2 1

T23 Are curb cuts in front of businesses limited (in size and number), resulting in a continuous sidewalk?

1 3

T24 Are there bike racks near businesses? 3 4

T25 Are bike racks placed in easy-to-find places? 2 1 5

T26 Are bike racks well-placed to prevent interference with sidewalk use? 3 2 2

T27 Is there secure off-sidewalk, bike parking areas close to the business district?

1 1 4

T28 Are bike racks simple enough for the rookie rider to use correctly? 2 1 1

T29 Are there creative bike racks, e.g. Combo bike rack/bench or dual use of decorative metal fencing?

3

T30 Are there hitching areas for horses, if applicable to your community? 1 2

Traffic & Access Issues Assessment Notes

1. No signs to explain downtown. 2. Make sidewalks one way (north and south bound) over Crawford Bridge. 3. Need more signs at Crawford and 3rd street to point out businesses. 4. Need bike lanes on Crawford Avenue Bridge. 5. Need curb cuts to get on and off Crawford Avenue Bridge. 6. Crawford Avenue Bridge is too steep. 7. Some sidewalks don’t have curb cuts. 8. Need a sign on Crawford Bridge to direct bikers to bike loop. 9. Signs at 1st street intersection are confusing. 10. Crawford Avenue is dirty. 11. Need a center stripe on bike trail. 12. Cars parked on bike trail behind the Mile Marker. 13. Crawford Avenue Bridge sidewalk is not wide enough for bikes and pedestrians. 14. Need pedestrian cross walk signs. 15. Need “Share the Road” signs for automobiles and bikers. 16. Need traffic calming on Crawford Avenue. 17. Bike trail behind St Rita’s is filled with dead brush. Needs to be swept.

Business Checklist

Overall impressions

Yes -------- No

B1 Is there a “gateway” point to enter/leave town (like a piece of art/mural/sign?

5 6

B2 Do business hours match customers’ needs (i.e. open on weekends)? 1 3

B3 Are downtown business clustered in a compact area? 2 8

B4 Are customers greeted warmly when they walk through the door? 3 3

B5 Are the merchandise and store clean and well kept? 1 6

B6 Are there window displays that show off the community’s heritage? 1 2 3

B7 Are window displays appealing and inviting? 4 2

Accommodating to Visitors

B8 Are there public-accessible restrooms in the businesses? 3 2

B9 Do business offer information on the town/region? 3 1

B10 Is there a tourism information or visitor center? 3 4

B11 Can employees answer questions about the town or region? 3

B12 Do employees answer questions in a friendly manner? 1 3

B13 Do shops carry souvenirs, especially related to the town? 1 2 3

Business Signs B14 Are businesses’ signage’s clearly visible and well-designed? 5 3

B15 Do the signs clearly state what is being sold? 3 3 3

B16 Do businesses clearly indicate that they’re opened? 2 3 2

B17 Are business hours posted on front door or window? 3 4 1

Promotions

B52 Does the town use special events to encourage people to come to town? 6 1 1

B53 Do businesses use clever marketing tactics to invite people in? (e.g. Free Ice Cream)

3 3

B54 Does the town organize or promote town-to-town bike rides? 1 3

B55 Is the trail linked to downtown events and happenings? 1 2

B56 Is the town linked to trail events and happenings? 1 1 1

B57 Do businesses cross-promote? 3 1

B58 Do businesses offer out-of-town shipping for large items? 1 1 1

Business Checklist Notes

1. Big Apple Gear building is an eyesore. 2. Clean downtown building windows. 3. Neighborhood Association? No Signs? 4. Building at 164 West Crawford Avenue is in good shape but please clean windows. 5. Some businesses need signs. 6. Some benches would be nice in front of some businesses. 7. Businesses need to be as close to the trail as possible. 8. Buildings not being cared for need to be torn down or fixed up for ascetics and safety reasons. 9. Need coffee shops, hotel, and more bed and breakfasts in area. 10. Too many buildings are used for storage on the west side. 11. West side has “toilets” on display in windows. 12. Allow for home base business along the trail. 13. Places to stay needs to be advertised more. 14. Connellsville Chamber of Commerce is not very visible. Chamber window covered up by adds. 15. Clean up Mongell property by Crawford Avenue Bridge.

Design Checklist

Visual Appearance – Town & Storefronts Yes ----- No

D1 Does the downtown feel distinct or special? 2 2 6

D2 Does the town appear economically healthy? 10

D3 Does your town feel safe? 2 6 2

D4 As a whole, are you enjoying your walk of downtown? 5 2 3

D5 Are walls and storefronts kept free of graffiti? 1 3 5

Buildings & Parking D6 In general, are vacant storefronts reasonably maintained? 1 9

D7 Does the community enforce building codes? 2 3 1

D8 Is there a solid strip of businesses? (e.g. not broken up by parking lots.) 1 9

D9 Are businesses situated at sidewalks? 5 1 1

D10 Are historic buildings restored and recognized? 7

D11 Are structures in town in a good condition overall? 1 8

Storefronts D12 Are store windows clean? 2 7

D13 Are store windows lit at night? 3 3

D14 Are storefronts maintained? (e.g. no broken glass, crumbling brick, peeling paint, etc.)

4 5

D15 Do stores have attractive window displays? 4 4

D16 Are there audible amenities – chimes, church bells, music, etc.? 1 5

D17 Are there banners? 2 3 3

D18 Are storefronts decorated with flowers or hanging baskets? 2 1 4

D19 Are there drinking fountains or sources for potable water? 1 7

D20 Does the town use decorative lampposts for night lighting? 4 3 1

Clean and Green D21 Are there enough benches? 2 1 6

D22 Are there picnic areas? 5 4

D23 Are the benches well-placed? (Are they in the shade, near high pedestrian traffic areas, etc.)?

3 5

D24 Are parks/green spaces easily accessible and welcoming to visitors? 5 1 3

D25 Do parks have adequate bike racks and benches? 1 1 2

D26 Are street trees used effectively? 6 1

D27 Are native plants used in green spaces? 6 1 1

D28 Are the sidewalks swept and kept neat and free of debris? 1 3 4

D29 Are there rain gardens or permeable surfaces in parking lots? 1 6

D30 Are there recycling receptacles in town? 3 6

D31 Are there sufficient trash cans in town? 2 3 7

Design Checklist Notes

1. Need more bike racks in town. 2. Downtown feels distinct but not special. 3. Historic buildings are in very bad shape, and take away from businesses. 4. Lions Square is very nice. 5. Connellsville B&B has a nice window display. 6. Public art at the trail heads needs to be explained with a sign. 7. Need more information kiosks directing bikers to town and businesses. 8. Need to improve the looks of the West Side to be attractive to bikers. 9. Areas along the trail need to be well groomed and inviting. 10. Make some attractive rest areas along the trail and in the city. 11. Bring the “heritage” of Connellsville into spotlight. 12. Junk cars and car batteries are located on a lot next to Cindy’s Florist on the West Side. 13. Need a Community Pride week?

Access Areas Signage and Information Yes ------ No D32 Is there an attractive, well placed access area sign? 2 5

D33 Is there exit directional signage? 3 2

D34 Is there an informational kiosk or bulletin board? 4 4

D35 Are there directional signage indicating destinations to east/west or north/south?

1 2 4

D36 Is there a rule/regulation/courtesy sign? 1 2 4

D37 Is there interpretive information? 2 2 4

D38 Is there information on contributing or volunteering? 3 3 5

D39 Is there information on nearby town amenities or services? 4 2 2

D40 Is there a map of the town with businesses/services on bulletin board or kiosk?

7 3

D41 Is there a take-away map of the town with business/services listed? 4 4

D42 If the trail crosses any roadways, are the crossings safe? 4 1 2

D43 Are there signs to emergency facilities? 1 3 4

Parking Lots D44 How many parking spaces are in your trailhead parking lot? 20-30

D45 Do parking spaces have extra length for hitch-mounted bike racks? 1 3

D46 Does your parking lot have extra turning radius for shuttle vans? 1 3

D47 Does your parking area accommodate horse-carrying vehicles? 1 3

D48 Is there safe interface between trail users and parkers? 3 1

D49 Does parking lot fencing have convenient openings for trail access? 3 1 1

Amenities D50 Are there flush toilet facilities? 1 3 1

D51 Is there a portable toilet? 2 1 1

D52 Is there a public water fountain? 2 2 1

D53 Are there trash receptacles? 2 2 1

D54 Is there landscaping to provide shade? 5 1

D55 Are there picnic tables? 3 1

D56 Are there pavilions or shelters? 3 1

D57 Are there bike racks? 3 1

D58 Are there benches? 3 1

D59 Is there security lighting? 2 1

D60 Is there a pay telephone? 1 2

D61 Is there cellular reception at the trailhead? 3 1

Access Areas Notes

1. Need signs to hospital. 2. Need more parking at Yough Park to accommodate large numbers of bikers. 3. Create a seasonal visitors center. 4. Some signs along trail need to be updated. Some business no longer there. 5. Some signs along the trail are not straight, but falling over. 6. No directional signs to downtown. 7. Some business do not have signs. 8. Have a “map” program. 9. Sign behind St Rita’s Church explaining park and do they allow visitors? 10. Take down sign and clean up “britches and bows” building. 11. Signs need to be a little bigger when entering town from both directions.