|
wilding urban trails has R ■
<br /> changed dramatically in this -
<br /> post-urban renewal era. No
<br /> longer do we hear the voice of the `
<br /> federal agency looking for a few
<br /> good fundable projects. The new
<br /> big issues are funding, user fees, r, r.« . .: .
<br /> and private sector involvement, not __�; l: -- -- " Because of public
<br /> planning, programs, and social re- +; r' and private coopera-
<br /> ,; `
<br /> search. As we examine ways to get tion, support, and
<br /> trails built under uncertain circum- publicity, cyclists of
<br /> stances, there is one fact we must - all ages can use
<br /> face: trails in face: no urban trail is going to get �I Col-
<br /> orado. Pictured at
<br /> built without solid political and ! `�:,� left and on the pre-
<br /> community support. ceding page is the
<br /> Another fact we must face is that Arapahoe Green-
<br /> in a society so committed to moto- `-� way/Platte River
<br /> rized transportation, urban trails _ Trail, which runs for
<br /> and pedestrian facilities are seen a5 ,�. - -: ten miles within the
<br /> ;•- Denver, CO city
<br /> a luxury. People expect trails in the >s ts> " - limits.
<br /> mountains and parks for the"pure"
<br /> recreation of weekend trips and urban trails. trail plan identifies available corri-
<br /> vacation time. Much has been writ- Urban trails are different from dors, so trail development means
<br /> ten about the trend toward urban other types of pedestrian facilities picking the top priority and pursu-
<br /> recreation, but we are still waiting because they are separated from ing it. Sometimes an opportunity
<br /> for the energy crisis that actually roadways. Emphasizing landscap- comes along, like a major flood-
<br /> forces people to go to a city park ing or natural environments, es- control project or railroad
<br /> instead of a national park. In fact, sentially they are linear parks using abandonment, to which the trail
<br /> records are set every year for a wide variety of corridors. The project may be tied. Multiple use of
<br /> wilderness and back-country trail three projects discussed here use a corridor is especially appropriate
<br /> use. stream corridors, which in Col- in urban areas and is often a wav to
<br /> What has changed is the increas- orado are as attractive on the arid enhance funding and public sup-
<br /> ing numbers of people using urban plains as in mountain towns. There port. Other opportunities for mov-
<br /> trails.The number of cyclists in the is hardly a town here of any size that ing a trail project to the head of the
<br /> U.S. is about 80 million, or 31 per- does not have a river or creek run- priority list are a new park and rec-
<br /> cent of the population (Wall Street ning through it, providing an reation study, new land develop-
<br /> Journal,April 21, 1986,p. 5D).The opportunity for some kind of trail ment, highway improvement, in-
<br /> 1982-1983 Nationwide Recreation development. Other suitable corri- volvement of a major firm, urban
<br /> Survey of the U.S.Department of the dors include power lines and pipe- redevelopment, and changes in
<br /> Interior shows a rise in bicycling lines, road rights-of-way, irrigation political leadership.The complexity
<br /> from nine percent of respondents canals, drainageways, and aban- of these projects usually means that
<br /> to 28 percent in 1982. While the doned railroads. it can take years for a trail to get
<br /> study indicates 26 percent run or When establishing a trail, one of built, and a project that has already
<br /> jog,in 1960"running was limited to the main concerns is the complexity gathered political and community
<br /> a relatively few young athletes. It of the route's ownership.Neighbor- support will be the one that goes
<br /> was considered so insignificant as hood linkages, access to open ahead rapidly when the right oppor-
<br /> not to warrant inclusion in the 1960 space,and scenery are also criteria, tunity emerges. In almost all cases
<br /> National Recreation Survey (which but in the urban setting these quasi- there is a local jurisdiction—town,
<br /> included rock.climbing)!" Finally, industrial corridors are attractive city, park district or county-
<br /> 53 percent were found to walk for alternatives. pushing the project.While state and
<br /> pleasure,compared with 14 percent How do urban trails get built? federal agencies may be of great
<br /> involved in day hiking. All of these Selecting a suitable trail route is the help, in urban areas you need a
<br /> activities increase the demand for first step. In many areas, a regional specific local agency committed to
<br /> MR/NOVEMBER 1987/27
<br />
|