DEVELOPING URBAN TRAILS · 2018-04-03 · Challenges to Trail Development • District staff has recognized challenges in reconciling trail design and alignment with at least two

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.


Forest Hill Elem.


Forest Hill Elem.


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



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

www.openspace.org PRESERVE PROTECT RESTORE EDUCATE ENJOY

Ravenswood Bay Trail Project

Gretchen LaustsenOpen Space Planner

MIDPENINSULA REGIONALOPEN SPACE DISTRICT


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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www.openspace.org PRESERVE PROTECT RESTORE EDUCATE ENJOY 43

Ravenswood Bay Trail Project Location

www.openspace.org PRESERVE PROTECT RESTORE EDUCATE ENJOY 44

Existing Bike Routes

Source: Strava


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


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


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

51


University Ave Trail Entrance

52


Bridge Crossing

53


Boardwalk Overlook

54


Permitting Agencies

55

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


Lessons Learned

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Outreach and Communication

Project Documentation

Plan for the Future

Timing is Everything

Documents

DEVELOPING URBAN TRAILS · 2018-04-03 · Challenges to Trail Development • District staff has recognized challenges in reconciling trail design and alignment with at least two