CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION URBAN TRAILS COMMITTEE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION URBAN TRAILS COMMITTEE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

2 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Resolution No created the Grand Junction Trails Board in 1994 as a subcommittee of the Riverfront Commission to serve as the principal coordinating body for the development of a trails and pathway system throughout Grand Junction and connecting to trail systems outside the City; to plan, develop and promote such a path system and help coordinate the implementation of the Multi Modal Plan; and to actively pursue the development of new trails both in the City and in areas which may be annexed. Resolution No was adopted by the Grand Junction City Council on December 17, 2014, reestablishing the Trails Board as the Urban Trails Committee (UTC) of the City rather than being a subcommittee of the Riverfront Commission. VISION The UTC envisions Grand Junction as a vibrant walkable and bikeable community for all ages and abilities. The convenience, efficiency and safety of our active transportation network will be an attraction to everyone who lives here or comes to visit. PURPOSE The purpose of the Urban Trails Committee is to plan and promote the City Council s goals for an interconnected network of sidewalks, paths and routes for active transportation and recreation throughout the Grand Junction urbanized area. The Urban Trails Committee will act in an advisory capacity to the Grand Junction City Council on matters pertaining to the safe, convenient and efficient movement of pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities throughout the community, as well as other forms of transit. Page 1

3 GOALS AND STRATEGIES GOALS AND STRATEGIES The following goals and strategies were approved by the Urban Trails Committee in November, 2015 and are reviewed on an annual basis. The goals and strategies are used to establish the Committees annual work plan and to assess accomplishments. GOAL ONE. Improve the built environment by providing safe and efficient active transportation options for people of all ages and abilities by increasing the number of miles of connected sidewalks, bike lanes and pathways within the City. Strategies Review and comment on land development applications to ensure compliance with the Urban Trails Master Plan Maintain a prioritized list of on and off street trail improvements, emphasizing Safe Routes to School Identify and assess conditions of major active transportation corridors and connections throughout Grand Junction Act in an advisory capacity to the Grand Junction City Council on policy, priorities and funding issues pertaining to active transportation Identify safe routes and look for opportunities to provide connectivity and access to the Riverfront Trail Identify safe routes and look for opportunities to provide connectivity to public lands trailheads, including Tabaguache trails, Old Spanish Trail and the Bookcliffs/North Desert area Maintain and update, as needed, the Urban Trails Master Plan Develop and implement a Complete Streets Policy GOAL TWO. Increase Programming to promote Safe Walking and Biking Opportunities Strategies Promote Bike Month and Bike to Work Day activities Participate in Share the Road activities Support Safe Routes to School activities, including audits, Walking and Wheeling events, bike rodeos, education and safety campaigns, Walk and Bike to School activities Page 2

4 GOALS AND STRATEGIES Support the development of a sustainable Safe Routes to School program to be implemented district wide Develop a standardized bike/pedestrian wayfinding program using signage, maps and GIS applications Develop a community Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan GOAL THREE. Increase the number of citizens utilizing active modes of transportation and promote the health, livability and economic benefits of a Walkable/Bikeable Community Strategies: Organize and participate in the Walking and Biking Summit and other community forums Participate in Healthy Mesa County s Active Communities initiative to promote the health benefits of active transportation choices Pursue a Bicycle Friendly Community Designation and continue to work toward improving the rating Promote the economic benefits of a walkable/bikeable community by participating in local studies and assessments Participate in the Mayors Challenge activities Page 3

5 2017 PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS The Urban Trails Committee has regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Committee members are appointed by the City Council and currently include, Biz Collins, Shana Wade, Dr. Jack Delmore, Orin Zyvan, Dr. Kristin Heumann (Chair), Gary Stubler, Sarah Johnson, Max Schmidt, and David Lehmann (Vice Chair). Outgoing member in 2017 was Dr. Jeff Kuhr. Following is a summary of significant projects that further the adopted goals and strategies of UTC. COMPLETE STREETS POLICY The Urban Trails Committee took the lead in developing a draft Complete Streets Policy for the City of Grand Junction, which supports the Comprehensive Plan goal to develop a well balanced transportation system that supports automobile, local transit, pedestrian, bicycle, air, and freight movement while protecting air, water and natural resources. A Complete Streets approach integrates the needs of people and places in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of transportation networks, making streets safer for people of all ages and abilities and thereby supporting overall public and economic health. The draft policy memorializes the City s commitment to incorporate Complete Streets concepts in the design of all transportation related projects. The draft Complete Streets Policy will be incorporated into the review and adoption of the Grand Junction Comprehensive Plan Circulation Plan, scheduled for early ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR MAP The Urban Trails Committee was also instrumental in developing the proposed Active Transportation Corridor Map as a part of the Circulation Plan. The Active Transportation Map is an update to the 2001 Urban Trails Master Plan showing a network providing critical, continuous, safe, and convenient connections for non motorized transportation (bicycles and pedestrians). While the identified corridors might be used for recreation, the primary purpose of the plan is to identify non motorized commuter routes connecting commercial centers, neighborhoods, schools, parks and other attractions and amenities. The Urban Trails Committee will continue to participate in the review and adoption process of the Active Transportation Corridor Map as a part of the Circulation Plan, scheduled for early Page 4

6 2017 PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMMUNITY STREETS EVENT The Urban Trails Committee hosted the first annual Community Streets Event on Saturday, October 7 th, The event was a great success with over 275 participants throughout the day. It was modeled after the Open Streets concept that temporarily closes a street to motorized traffic, allowing the street to be used for other community activities. The event closed 10 th Street from Belford Avenue to Main Street, and Main Street from 10 th to 7 th Street, to non local vehicular traffic and left Grand and Gunnison Avenues open for cross traffic. The event showcased the connection from Colorado Mesa University to Downtown and offered a number of activities along the route and at Washington Park, such as a bike rodeo, food trucks, entertainment and informational booths. Funding for the event was provided by the Riverfront Foundation, Alpine Bank, CMU Foundation, St. Mary s Hospital, Downtown Development Authority, Factory, Kiln Coffee, The Lofts, KJCT, Grand Junction Federal Credit Union, Safe Routes to School, Mesa County Public Health and the City of Grand Junction. Booths and activities included participation from Debonair Fun Foods, The Little Pink Truck, Enstrom s, CMU 20,000, Grand Junction Parks and Recreation, Safe Routes to School, Colorado DiscoverAbility, The Lofts, Strive, Grand Junction Fire Department and Police Department, Partners, Rippin Chix, One Riverfront, Joining Community Forces and Factory. BIKE MONTH Urban Trails Committee, once again, participated in Bike Month Activities in June and hosted the kick off event on Wednesday, June 7 th at 5:30 pm. Approximately 30 participants gathered in the City Hall auditorium for the City Council Proclamation of June as Bike Month and then enjoyed free Gelu Italian Ice, sponsored by St. Mary s Hospital, before embarking on a 4 mile, family friendly ride along the riverfront trail. UTC members also issued Public Service Announcements Page 5

7 2017 PROJECTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS about bike safety throughout the month and assisted with the Bike to Work Day breakfasts on June 28 th. NATIONAL BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN DOCUMENTATION PROJECT The Urban Trails Committee participated for the first time in the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, co sponsored by Alta Planning and Design and the Institute of Transportation Engineers Pedestrian and Bicycle Council, to collect data on bicycle and pedestrian travel in the City of Grand Junction. Count data was collected at three locations; on 10 th Street, 1 st Street and Horizon Drive, with a goal of continuing and expanding the count locations in future years to provide baseline data and benchmarks to determine the impact of various infrastructure improvements and programs to increase bicycle and pedestrian travel. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL The Urban Trails Committee prioritized Safe Routes to School projects to be considered for Community Development Block Grant funding. The top two priorities were approved for funding by the City Council, which were Bookcliff Middle School sidewalk and ramps and Orchard Avenue sidewalk from 29 ½ Road. Previously approved projects that were completed in 2017 were the El Poso sidewalk extension along Mulberry Street and additional sidewalk nearly Nisley Elementary School. OTHER Other accomplishments in 2017 include amending the bylaws to include Mesa County Public Health and RTPO membership on UTC when possible, a tour of the Orchard Mesa Irrigation system to better understand the opportunities and challenges for trails, and wayfinding signage along 10 th Street as a bike/pedestrian route connecting CMU with Downtown. Page 6