Agenda - 09-17-2002 - 9d - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM They recommended that the rest of the trails south of Dogwood Acres Drive remain unpaved. lD Staff Comments: We believe that the paved trail should be extended to the southern tip of the property in order to serve the proposed dog park and provide bicycle and handicap access throughout the park. Costs of Extending the Fan Branch Trail • The extension of the trail would cost approximately$100,000 • Additional clearing would be required near Highway 15-501. Benefits of Extending the Fan Branch Trail • Handicap access would be extended throughout the park including the facilities located at the southern tip of the site. • The trail would provide better access to the proposed dog park for pedestrians and bicyclists. • The trail would be extended by 1,200 feet. The recreation value of a trail for running, walking,and nature study is generally increased as the length of the trail increases. • The paved trail would allow for direct pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle access from the residential areas south of the park to Dogwood Acres Drive, the main portion of the park, Scruggs School, Southern Village, and the proposed Morgan Creek Trail. 2. Provide Sidewalks on Dogwood Acres Drive: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board recommended that sidewalks be provided on both sides of Dogwood Acres Drive within the boundaries of the park. Southern-Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee Comments: The Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee discussed this recommendation. However, the Committee recommended that a paved trail or improved recreation access be provided only on the north side of Dogwood Acres Drive, from the western property line to the point where the main greenway trail crosses Dogwood Acres Drive. Staff Comments: We agree that pedestrian access should be accommodated on Dogwood Acres Drive. We agree with the Committee that providing access only on the north side of the road would best serve the Dogwood Acres neighborhood and the park. A sidewalk or trail on the north side would directly connect with most of the park amenities, Scroggs School, and Southern Village. In addition the plan proposes a road crossing to the south that would be protected by traffic calming devices. We also agree that the access need not be a sidewalk. Because of the lack of curb and gutter on Dogwood Acres Drive pedestrians may be better served by a paved trail that is set back from the edge of the road. We also agree that the access trail or sidewalk should extend from the western park boundary to the point where the paved Fan Branch Trail crosses Dogwood Acres Drive. We believe that the entire length of Dogwood Acres Drive should eventually be served by sidewalks. However,we believe any such extension beyond the park boundaries and the town limits should be funded separately from this park development project. 3. Pedestrian and Bicycle Access: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board commented that it is important to provide functional pedestrian and bicycle access as well as recreational access, to services in and around the park site. In addition, the Transportation Board recommended more pedestrian connections to Scroggs School. Southern Community Park Conceptual Plan Committee Comments: The Committee voted to