Trail
Planning
Trail
coordinators should
strive to . . .
I.
Gain A “Big
Picture” Perspective
A.
Consult Wisconsin
state bike trails
plans
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/projects/state/bike2020.htm
(WisDOT)
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/reports/trails/contents.html
(WisDNR) B.
Be familiar with
American
Association
of State Highway
Transportation
Official’s
Guide for the
Development
of Bicycle Facilities
C.
Glean information
from educational
materials;
facility tours;
networking
D.
Conduct informal
feasibility
study II.
Involve Officials,
Potential Trail
Users, General
Public
A.
Create steering
committee or work
with existing
oversight committee
B.
Get information
to public
C.
Interview key interest
groups
- 1.
walkers, joggers
- 2.
bike clubs
or sports
shops
- 3.
roller bladers
- 4.
chamber or
merchants associations
- 5.
park & planning
commissions,
departments
- 6.
landowners
- 7.
realtors,
developers
- 8.
elected
officials
D.
Build
coalitions
to
turn
vision/plan
into
reality
E.
Update informal
feasibility study
III.
Establish Vision/Plan
A.
Identify “customers” (i.e.,
types of users)
B.
Consider alternatives
- 1.
purpose of trail
(recreation;
transportation;
education;
economic/tourism)
- 2.
traits of trail
(multi-use?
paved?
stand-alone
or shoulder?)
- 3.
route (short
or
long? straight
or
looped?
urban
or
rural? rugged
or
easy?)
- 4.
connectivity/relationship
with other
attractions, trails
C.
Conduct formal
feasibility study
- 1.
site assessment
(ownership; right-of-way;
grade; #
of bridges;
parking; safety)
- 2.
financials (funding
options; construction
costs; landscaping;
signage)
- 3.
maintenance
responsibilities
IV.
Gain Commitments
A.
Secure
funding
(grants;
donations)
B.
Obtain land
and/or easements
C.
Sign contracts
D.
Work schedules
Prepared
by Kevin Struck,
UW-Extension, edits
by Oneida County
Biking and Walking
Trails Council,
Inc. 10/03 |
