Linn County Trails Planning • DIRT TRAILS Master Plan
This post may not originate from Eric and may not contain all the text. Click here for the full article.
Dirt Master Trails Plan Proposal
Goals:
Increase trail types
Increase trail usage
Encourage new and beginning bicycle riders
Bicycle Friendly Community recognition
Summary:
I propose a Trails Master Plan that encourages the use of sustainable dirt trails as an interim and permanent part of the trail system.
Actions:
Utilize the current Trails Master Plan that was recently developed by Shive-Hattery and based on the LCTA proposed trails. We will develop a Dirt Trails Master Plan that identifies the trails where a dirt trail can be installed in the interim and for long term use.
The Dirt Trails Master Plan will incorporate users of trails in different areas of the county as “Trail Stewards”. These stewards will use the Trails Master Plan to identify areas/locations for connector trails and recreational destinations. The goal of the connector trails is to link the future trails with neighborhoods, schools, parks, sidewalks, and businesses. The recreational destinations include skate parks, singletrack trails, BMX parks, bike skills areas, running tracks, and other trail heads. The trail stewards will also identify trails that are on the Trails Master Plan that are prime candidates for a Dirt Now, Pave Later trail. These trails are the base trail for bicyclists and runners that can establish the trail corridor, identify potential issues, and tweak and modify plans to make a better trail system sooner. These dirt trails will be used to supplement the immediate need for trails while waiting for the 1 – 20 year funding period that has been identified in the Trails Master Plan. Once the main trail is paved there could be singletrack dirt trails added along the bikeways depending on the size of easement and other factors like foliage coverage / type, etc..
Trail stewards will also be used to identify city to city connector trails. These trails will utilize the state ROW to build easy to ride, highly sustainable, low maintenance dirt trails away from the road. The faster, more serious road bike rider can stay on the road that hopefully has a fully paved shoulder but still use the amenities like benches or shady areas to rest. This helps minimize road rage and lower biker fear for new riders. These trails will be encouraging to inexperienced riders and families as well as hikers and runners. These trails will connect to destinations like the Signature Parks that are part of the Cedar Rapids Parks Master Plan. The trails will be cut to make absolutely minimal extra maintenance for the state or city with mowing. These trails will have a strict adherence to IMBA guidelines. City to city connector trails can be used for competitive and fun races in many modes of transportation. Maintenance on these trails can be done with an “Adopt-A-Trail” style of system.
Groups and organizations that would need to be involved include:
CV Running Association
Bicycle Advisory Committee
Linn County Trails Association
Linn Area Mt Bike Association
Cedar Rapids BMX
Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department
Local skaters, skateboarders, and other outdoor activists.
Local snowmobilers.
The Cedar Rapids Trails Master Plan is providing a solid base to plan our future Bicycle Friendly Community. The Dirt Trails Master Plan builds on the CR Trails Master Plan to implement minimum effort and low cost trails sooner. I believe this plan will help us get even more recognition and opportunity for quality trail systems. It will also provide an additional layer of planning for more multi-use trails that can be used as part of a Bicycle Friendly Community application.
Statistics: Posted by NoyzSource — Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:06 am