making the most of a linear park

Making the Mostof a Linear Park

Hugh MorrisRails-to-Trails Conservancy

[email protected]

202-974-5110

US Rail Network

S Smart Growth is…

1. Neighborhood livability

2. Better access, less traffic

3. Thriving cities, suburbs, towns

4. Shared benefits

5. Lower costs/lower taxes

6. Keeping open space open

Smart Growth is Achieved by…1. Mixed land uses2. Using existing community assets3. Ensuring a range of housing options4. Creating “walkable,” close-knit neighborhoods5. Promoting distinctive, attractive communities6. Preserving open space7. Encouraging growth in exiting communities8. Providing transportation choices9. Making development decisions predictable, fair, cost-

effective10. Encouraging citizen/stakeholder participation in

development decisions

Transportation Benefits

• Private benefits– Get where you need to go– Get exercise– Save money

• Public benefits– Save money– Reduced congestion– Improved air quality

Transportation Indicators1. 1/3 of weekday trail users are making a trip

2. This equates to ~1,500 trips per day

3. These trip makers do so 3+ times/week

4. 53% of trail trip makers live within ¾-mile of the trail

5. Bicycle trip makers who use trails tend to make longer trips

6. 1 vehicle trip is eliminated for every 2 bicycle commute trips

Economic Benefits1. Trail users spend $4.00 to $11.00 per use

2. Benefit-cost ratio is 1.58:1

3. Trail in rural PA created 4.7 jobs

4. Homes near trails sell for more and sell more quickly

Health Indicators1. 55% of trail users had increased amount of

walking since they began using the trail.

2. Women and people with lower incomes are more than twice as likely to increase exercise rates.

3. Trail use rates are inversely related to distance to trail.

Creating Connectivity

• Assess community features

• Inventory possible corridors

• Length

• Trail network vs. single path

• Land-use mix

• Frequent access points

• User facilities at terminus

• Trail Design

TransportationTrip Makers

Capital Crescent Trail Washington & Old Dominion Trail

TransportationAccess Points


TransportationSigns


TransportationDestination Infrastructure


TransportationTransit Connection


RecreationMulti-Use


RecreationParallel Tread


RecreationConnections to Community Rec. Facilities


Economic EnhancementBusiness Access


Economic EnhancementResidential Access


Habitat PreservationTrees


Habitat PreservationWild Flowers


Habitat PreservationBuffer / Riparian


Social CapitalGathering Places


Social CapitalArt


Multi-Purpose CorridorAboveground Utilities


Multi-Purpose CorridorBelowground Utilities


Preservation ofOriginal Corridor Attributes

History


Preservation ofOriginal Corridor Attributes

Original Railroad Infrastructure


What’s in it for You• Subsidized trail creation• Subsidized trail maintenance• Subsidized law enforcement• Creating connections / access to traditional parks

Staying Connected• Conferences

– ProBike/ProWalk – September 2002• www.bikefed.org

– National Trails Symposium – November 2002• www.americantrails.org

– TrailLink 2003 – June 2003• www.railtrails.org

• Ongoing Training– National Trails Training Partnership

• www.nttp.net

• List Serves– [email protected]– http://lists.bounty.org/mailman/listinfo/apbp

making the most of a linear park

Documents

trail trip makers

trail use rates

daythese trip makers

trailbicycle trip makers

longer trips1 vehicle

exercise rates

us rail networks smart

usebenefitcost ratio