RTC TrailBlog : acquisition

Florida County Continues to Pursue its Trails Future

Jake Lynch — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:41:00 GMT

A major county in Florida is being heralded for a new study that not only outlines cost-effective strategies for building new trails and greenways, but also quantifies the environmental, economic and social benefits of such facilities.

The Miami-Dade County Trail Design Guidelines and Benefits Study received an award of honor from the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA) in the category of Planning and Analysis, following up on similar recognition in recent months by the American Planning Association (APA) Florida Gold Coast Section for best plan, report or study, and a national finalist in the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) professional design awards.

The study was developed by prime consultant, AECOM, as a comprehensive reference for trail, greenway and linear park design and planning. Innovative urban trail guidelines were paired with in-depth analyses that provide direct environmental, economic and social benefits estimates. The study includes extensive research and analysis of best practices and successful comparable urban trails while providing extensive methodology to estimate direct benefits in order to prioritize limited resources.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Florida State Director Ken Bryan was part of the team that helped author the award-winning plan, using his extensive experience with rail-trail development to provide insight on how best to acquire rights-of-way and appropriate corridors for recreational pathways.

One of the features of the study was its establishment of a methodology to analyze the benefits of trails such as vehicle trip reduction, increase in accessibility, reduction in pollution, effects on property values and job creation.

"This recognition is a validation of our tireless efforts to provide quality trails and greenways throughout Miami-Dade County," says Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys.

In recent years Miami-Dade has actively pursued its stated Greenways, Trails and Water Trails Vision, "for an interconnected system that provides transportation alternatives and reduces traffic congestion; creates new recreational opportunities; increases property values; protects natural resources; and encourages tourism and business development."

A highlight of the regional trail system will be the developing Biscayne Everglades Trail, comprised of 49 miles of greenways and multi-purpose paths. It will be the only trail in the United States that connects two National Parks, and it also travels through local residential and commercial neighborhoods, increasing opportunities for tourists and residents alike. In coming years Miami-Dade County has also set itself the ambitious goal of establishing a 1- to 5-mile-wide corridor of conservation and recreation land along the county's western edge, buffering the Florida Everglades.

Miami-Dade County's belief that a strong trails network is integral to the economic future of the region is a vision shared by many cities and counties across Florida, as evident by the growing opposition from Florida elected officials to Congressman John Mica's plan to eliminate dedicated federal funding for trails, bike paths and sidewalks.

Download the report, and for more information about Miami-Dade County's vision for its trails future, visit www.miamidade.gov/parksmasterplan/trails.

Artist rendering of Ludlam Trail courtesy of Miami-Dade County Park & Recreation Department.

Montour Trail Council Partners with Natural Gas Company to Construct Rail-with-Trail

Patricia Tomes (RTC) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:12:00 GMT

The Montour Trail Council has successfully negotiated for a three-mile rail-with-trail near Pittsburgh to be built by MarkWest Energy Partners of Denver, Colo. MarkWest is transporting natural gas by rail and needs an additional three-mile section to connect the processing facility with an active mainline.

A common concern expressed to RTC's Northeast Regional Office about the increase in gas drilling is the additional heavy truck traffic, making the roads less safe for bicyclists. Montour Trail Council’s negotiation with MarkWest may be unique, but it provides further proof that rails-with-trails are an ideal partnership that present an opportunity for communities faced with increased traffic and unsafe conditions.

The Montour Trail Council also just announced a successful negotiation with another energy company, Range Resources, for a gas lease on more than 180 acres of land owned by the trail council. The council will create an endowment fund with the initial $511,000 payment on the lease. You can learn more about this arrangement in the latest edition of the Montour Trail-Letter.

The Montour Trail Council stated they are aware of the many environmental and community concerns associated with drilling for natural gas, but they feel they have been diligent in protecting the interest of the trail.

Chevron Donates Easement for San Francisco Bay Trail Segment

Steve Schweigerdt (RTC) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:11:00 GMT

Chevron announced on November 2 that it will donate an easement for the San Francisco Bay Trail to East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) on Richmond's Point San Pablo Peninsula. The 20-foot-wide easement totals about 1.5 miles and covers shoreline portions of Chevron's refinery property following the former Richmond Beltline Railroad/Castro Point Railway corridor. EBRPD and Chevron have been working together for several years to secure access to this important but previously unavailable parcel to extend the Bay Trail. "With Chevron's help, the Richmond community will have more trail access and future open space parkland along the waterfront, which has long been a part of the Park District's master plan," said Bob Doyle, assistant general manager of land acquisition and advanced planning.

The proposed easement donation consists of two segments: a southern segment beginning at the foot of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and running north to the former U.S. Naval Fuel Depot at Point Molate; and a northern segment, which runs north of the former depot past Point Orient to just south of Point San Pablo Yacht Club.

This segment of the San Francisco Bay Trail crosses various ownerships, including property owned by the city of Richmond and Chevron. EBRPD and Chevron both recognize that some of the former railroad right-of-way may no longer be suitable for construction of the trail, with portions of the corridor having subsided over time. Chevron has agreed to cooperate with EBRPD to develop a mutually acceptable realignment of the trail, as close to the original corridor alignment as physically possible, in order to provide safe use of the trail and to maximize the visual enjoyment for trail users.

Chain links: Back to school time

Stephen Miller (RTC) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:10:00 GMT

It's that time of year; vacation is over and the books are waiting to be cracked. The Onion's Twin Cities edition - no joke - encourages its readers to go back to school car-free and carefree along the Midtown Greenway.
Trails spur small businesses in urban areas: The Dallas Morning News reports on a new cafe slated to open next month along the Katy Trail, serving "snacks and drinks, including wine and beer. Games, such as checkers and chess, will be free to use." The business owner was enticed to set up shop after using the trail and seeing how many people on the trail could become potential customers. Friends of the Katy Trail is in full support.
The Trust for Public land has partnered with the City of New Orleans to purchase an 18-acre parcel along the Lafitte Greenway. Blogroll member Friends of Lafitte Corridor links to the Times-Picayune article and the TPL press release about the purchase.
Plans are moving forward for replacement of the Betzwood Bridge, which connected Valley Forge National Park and the Schuylkill River Trail. The bridge was closed in 1993.
Portland, Oregon's Metro regional government has submitted four major bicycle infrastructure projects for U.S. DOT stimulus funds, including a proposal to construct the Cazadero Trail between the Springwater Corridor and Mt. Hood, allowing a continuous nonmotorized route for city residents to access nearby wilderness. Support for improved trails are strong in this area; the town of Boring, which will be the connection point between the two trails, recently hosted a fundraiser for construction of a trailhead park there.

Photo: The race is on along the Katy Trail in Dallas to capitalize on the economic potential of this urban trail. Photo by snowboard9 on Flickr.