2003-10-27 Jt EC & OS&REC AgendaAGENDA
GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
AND
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION
Joint Meeting
Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road
Council Conference Room
Monday, October 27, 2003
7:00 P.M.
Call to Order
II. Individual Commission Approval of Minutes — September 22, 2003
III. General Mills Wetland and Floodplain Report (Attachment)
IV. Interpretive Signs for Public Storm Water Ponds (Attachments)
V. Trail Paving Policy Discussion (Attachments)
VI. Other Business
VII. Adjourn
GAEnvironmental Commission\Agendas\102703.doc
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Memo
To: Members of the Golden Valley Open Space and Recreation Commission
Members of the Golden Valley Environmental Commission
From: South Tyrol Hills Neighborhood Association
Re: Newly Revised Trail Policy Proposal
Date: October 27, 2003
We have received a copy of the newly revised Sidewalk and Trail policy proposal for the
City of Golden Valley (dated October 2003), and have a number of further suggested
revisions to the proposed policy that we believe should be reviewed and considered by
the various bodies and groups who are asked to review a new proposal in this area,
including, of course, the Golden Valley City Council.
We'are submitting these comments on behalf of the South Tyrol Neighborhood
Association As you may know, our Neighborhood Association originally became
involved on the trail issue as a result of a City of Golden Valley proposal regarding a trail
and path in our neighborhood. However, our comments and input at the present time are
provided in a more general sense and with the clear understanding'that the new trail
policy proposal would be applicable to and of benefit for the entire city of Golden Valley.
On October 23, 2003, we received materials that we understand were distributed to you
by the City staff concerning this issue. We note that a report from the outside
engineering firm (Bonestroo, Rosene Anderlik and Associates) on this issue was finalized
on October 15, 2003, and we presume that the newly revised policy proposal was
generated either before, or at the latest, just after, that date.
Although we had asked several times in September 2003 to receive a copy of the new
proposed policy which the City staff prepared, we did not receive a copy of it until
receiving the materials on October 23, 2003, and thus our time to review and analyze the
new proposal from the City has been quite limited to say the least.
Nonetheless, we are honored and pleased to have the opportunity to provide these
comments today, as we truly believe that the thought and examination we have given to
this issue generally can be of benefit to the entire City, and certainly to the City Council
and staff, as our City seeks to adopt and implement a new policy in this area.
Introduction and Background
We understand that the City Council asked City staff to prepare a revised Sidewalk and
Trail Policy for consideration by the Council. The Council asked that the revised policy
prepared for their consideration be one that allowed flexibility and adaptation to specific
and unique circumstance, and therefore one that included exceptions to the general "pave
all trails" guidance touted in the prior draft policy that the staff prepared but had not
obtained approval of a number of years ago.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 2
In making this request to staff, the Council indicated that it thought that there could be a
number of criteria that could be reviewed in any specific situation to determine whether
or not an exception to the City's general plan to pave all trails would apply. It suggested
that criteria could include the actual and anticipated use of trails, unique natural and
topographic features, and the need for environmental protection.
At the present time, discussion, and our examination, has focused on the "trails' aspect of
the Sidewalk and Trails policy. We have not reviewed, and are not seeking to endorse or
provide comment about, any portion of the proposed policy that addresses or deals with
sidewalks. Rather, the sole focus of our comments is on the new revisions made to
aspects of the policy proposal dealing with trails.
The ParticulaEs For Any Trail Should Largely Be Prescribed By the Expected Usage
The input and information we have obtain in our exploration of the trail issues is virtually
uniform in urging that any decisions about whether to have a trail, and, if so, how any
trail should be surfaced, as well as other particulars such as what width should a trail be,
should be largely based on how any such trail would be used.
Trails can have a variety of benefits, and yet what may be seen as a benefit to one
constituent may be seen as a detriment to another. As such, it is important that time be
spent in determining how a trail proposed for development or substantial refurbishment
would be used,' We have seen that those deeply involved in the development and
management of trails take a variety of paths to try to discern how particular trails could
and would be used. The actual surveying of users is one of the most common methods,
but there are others approaches that have been and are employed as well.
We are not aware of any surveying that has occurred with respect to the various trails in
the City of Golden Valley, at least those managed and cared for by the City. Certainly,
input of this nature could be obtained before any substantial work on any proposed trail,
whether for development or refurbishment, occurs. With this in mind, it seems that the
policy proposal set forth by the City at the present time puts the cart before the horse so
to speak (or, in other words, the pavement on the trail before the input is obtained).
Indeed, after careful consideration and deliberation, and for a variety of good reasons, we
are of the strong view that the trail policy for our City should not dictate any particular
surface as a preferred alternative (or any particular width as well), until the particular
expected usage or usages for any trail in question are discovered and documented, and a
set of various criteria are examined in light of that input based on the specifics of the
particular trail in question.
' For example, would any particular trail be considered or characterized as a sidepath, a connector path, a
greenway, a multi -use trail (and even here the uses can vary), or an unimproved trail. These terms come
from Design Guidelines: Alternative Transportation and Greenways System Plan put out by Ratio
Architects, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 3
Indeed, we believe that it would make far greater sense, and also be of greater benefit for
the City and its residents in both the short and long run, if the trail policy gave the City
the ability (and flexibility) to do what was right in each specific situation, depending on
the circumstances and how the analysis of a variety of factors comes out based on the
individual case at hand.
As a result, we present an alternative policy proposal for consideration by the various
bodies involved in this process, including, the City Council, and if need be, the citizens of
Golden Valley themselves.
The New Proposed Polic
In this section, we set forth the policy proposal suggested by City staff, and then also
present the policy proposal which the Neighborhood Association urges the City Council
to adopt.
A. Initial Section of Policy (Titled "Priorities")
The initial section ("Priorities") of the staff's revised policy proposal states:
"Trails within parks and nature areas should be paved based upon the need for year
round use and access for all users. Paving priority shall be placed on trails with
connections to the existing pedestrian system, between neighborhoods and between
parks and nature area."
For reasons explained above and more fully below, we strongly suggest the following
policy proposal be adopted, or something akin to it:
Trails within parks and nature areas should be surfaced as appropriate based upon
the expected usage of the trail and a desire of access for all users. In determining
how any particular trail should be surfaced (or other particulars for any trail as
well), the following criteria should receive careful consideration:
• Any unique circumstances present with the proposed trail, including
landscape features, topographic relief, soil conditions and adjacent domain
• Cost considerations, including the economic utility
• Accessibility considerations
• Historical and cultural considerations
• Environmental and ecological considerations
• Safety and security considerations, and
• Citizen input, including those in vicinity of the trail
In reviewing the criteria, the City should seek to determine whether there is a
demonstrated advantage of one surface (or other particular) over other options.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 4
Priority shall be placed on trails with connections to the existing pedestrian system,
between neighborhoods and between parks and nature area.
B. Later section of proposed policy (titled "Construction Standards')
The "Construction Standards" section of staff's policy proposal states:
Paved paths within parks and nature areas shall be eight feet wide with bituminous
surfacing. Paths may be left unpaved in nature areas if soil conditions are not
conducive to paving or that cannot be accessed by construction and maintenance
equipment without adverse environmental impact. The unpaved trails can be
surfaced with wood chips, gravel, ag-lime or other materials based upon safety, use
and other factors as may be determined by the Director of Public Works.
For reasons explained above and more fully below, we strongly suggest the following
policy proposal be adopted, or something akin to it:
Except when conditions dictate otherwise, any trail within parks and nature areas
shall be eight feet wide if bicycle travel is anticipated on the trail. Paths may be left
unpaved in nature areas if soil conditions are suggest that surface option is
appropriate, including a determination that it would be difficult to access the site
with construction and maintenance equipment without adverse environmental
impact. Trails can be surfaced with wood chips, gravel, ag-lime, asphalt pavement
or other materials based upon criteria set forth in the priority section of this policy
and as may be further determined by the Director of Public Works.
Support for Version of Revised Trail Policy Proposed By Neighborhood Association
There are a number of factors and circumstances that should be reviewed and considered
in determining whether to 1) proceed to create a new trail or reinvigorate an existing one
and 2) after making that decision, determining how the trail ought to be surfaced (or other
particulars concerning its condition).
As indicated previously, decisions of this nature, as well as other decisions that affect any
trail ultimately implemented (whether a new trail or as a result of the refurbishing of
some type of an existing trail), should largely be dictated by the anticipated usage of the
particular trail in question. The expected usage or usages should not be divined from the
City offices or from City Council chambers, but rather through active, affirmative steps
taken in good faith to understand how the citizenry (and perhaps others) are likely to use
the trail.
The revised policy proposed by the City staff makes a paved asphalt surface a
presumption — a favored and expected outcome. For a variety of reasons, and,
importantly, ones that should be key to design and policy decisions in our City, our
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 5
Neighborhood Association strongly urges that there not be a presumption in favor of
paving.
As such, we offer an alternative policy proposal for review and consideration here, and
seek in this memo to briefly touch on the various reasons in support of flexibility and
direction afforded by the revised trail policy we propose.
We appreciate that with the various materials that have been made available to you on
this subject, all which you may or may not have been able to review much less digest, it
may in some cases be difficult for you to know or determine what information is correct
or more accurate. However, we believe that careful review and consideration will show
that the view we espouse is the better one, short and long term, for our City.
We further submit that even the fact that some may argue that there is a reasonable debate
about some of the various issues at hand alone suggests that there should NOT be a
presumption in favor of paving in the new trail policy. Rather, given at least a reasonable
debate, and the variety of options that exist, a policy that is grounded upon and that
allows flexibility and prudence based on the circumstances and the best information
available at the time should guide and dictate any further actions regarding trails, which
is exactly what the revised policy proposed our Neighborhood Association is intended to
afford.
It may be helpful for us to further point out that the policy proposal we suggest is
consistent with the guidelines for updating local ordinances that others have used and
recommend. For instance, the Conservation Design Resource Manual, which is a
planning tool put out in March 2003 by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission
and Chicago Wilderness, provides language and guidelines for updating local ordinances.
We are making available the portions of this Manual that relate to walkways and trails.
Without getting into this entire scope of this comprehensive document, the Manual
indicates the model ordinance language in the section setting forth principles and
practices for Conservation Design for walkways, in pertinent part, reads as follows2:
"Walkways, or a portion of the walkways, should be constructed of pervious
materials such as gravel, wood chips or other similar material."
There Are Intrinsic Benefits That Derive from Allowing, and Even Encouraging,
Flexibility and Dynamism in Our Habitat, includine With Landscape Features.
While there is certainly a debate about surfacing options, there is little debate, and we
certainly understand why, concerning many positive aspects that the presence of trails in
Z In the commentary portion, the Manual explains that "walkways, more similar to trail systems than
conventional sidewalks, will not require the same snow removal practices as conventional sidewalks. The
pervious material suggested can be shoveled or simply packed down through use."
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 6
our City can and do bring. Connecting people of all ages and stripes with the outdoors,
and encouraging and allowing their recreation and commune with nature provides us all
with great benefit -- probably more than we can even artfully articulate.
In recent years, the study of Biophilia, or the connection of people to nature, has become
more and more influential and recognized as important factor to consider and ensure is
incorporated in design efforts of all kinds. It is an exciting and incredibly insightful area,
and we commend the following sources that explain and elaborate on this area of study:
Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson and The Biophilia Hypothesis, which is edited by
Stephen R. Kellert and Edward O. Wilson.
The Biophilia analysis maintains that too often, designs of all types seek to eliminate
variability. It has been noted that this has very frequently been the result in the United
States -- perhaps due to a lack of thoughtful design -- but it also occurs too often in all
parts of the world.
One major tenet and observation which arises out of the Biophilia analysis is that people
are healthier, happier, and more alert under subtly dynamic conditions. Through the
principles espoused by Biophilia, we are called to ask questions about the proposed
design of any space or area such as:
Is it beautiful?
Does it engage the senses?
Are their places to rest the mind?
Does it use the geometry of nature?
Does it incorporates diversity of living things and life -like processes?
Does it, delight and amuse?
Does it provide a sense of beauty in all spaces and to all occupants?
Increasingly, many cities and other governmental units are recognizing the value of
creating diversity and interest in their infrastructure designs, and have adopted plans and
policies that promote flexibility and dynamic constructs that enhance the livability and
feel of their communities. There is a growing realization of the impact — positively or
negatively -- that design can and does have on the meaning one gleans from, and the
attitude with which one experiences, life.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 7
Whether intentional or not, this appears to be the case with the Three Rivers Park System,
for example, which includes a variety of trails and paths, some which are paved with
asphalt, but some which are surfaced with crushed stone, grass or even brick pavers.
We submit that it is this ideal - one of flexibility and dynamism and diversity - that
Golden Valley should pursue, both in policy and practice, and this reason alone should
give the City solid grounds to enact a trail policy that rather than automatically favors one
surface over another, allows the specific circumstances of an individual situation to
define what makes the most sense for any particular application in question.
Beyond the intrinsic benefits of flexibility and dynamism, there are a host of factors that
also suggest that surfacing decisions about trails and paths in our Golden Valley
community should be made on a case by case basis, without any particular presumption
as to type of surface should be used. We will address these here.
Economic Value and Considerations
• Economic Considerations Should Be Part of Any Revised Trail Policy
No one would seriously argue that economic considerations, including the value our City
receives, should NOT be a fundamental part underpinning any trail policy.
However, as an initial matter regarding economic considerations, THERE IS NO
EXPRESS MENTION OF ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS AND VALUE in the City
staff's proposal.
Perhaps the City staff will say that considerations of economic factors and value are an
implicit part of the revised Trail policy it has proposed, but we believe that these
considerations should be made an explicit part of any revised trail policy adopted by the
City.
• The Evidence suggests paving, both in terms of implementation but also
maintenance, is actually MORE EXPENSIVE than many other- satisfactory
alternatives.
Based the evidence available, it is at least clear that there is no clear evidence that
economic considerations favor paving.
Installation/Development Costs.
There is no question that it costs considerably more to install asphalt paving than a
number of satisfactory alternatives. Moreover, there are a number of surfacing
alternatives that either compare favorably with asphalt or are just slightly more in terms
of installation, but that have other benefits that outweigh those provided by asphalt over
the long term, including that actually are less costly than asphalt to maintain.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 20103
Page 8
Cost of Maintenance
Although the City staff has said as part of these deliberations that it believes that paved
trails are less costly to maintain, the staff has indicated that it did not perform an
economic analysis substantiating this several years ago when it proposed a trail policy
that called for paving, and did not obtain any outside verification of costs in this regard at
that time either. It also has not provided any analysis or substantiation at the present time
showing that maintenance costs with paving are less than those with other surfacing
alternatives.
Although there may be evidence that suggests that maintenance costs for paving may be
less than that with a number of other alternatives, we have not seen it. There are a
number of respected sources we are aware of, however, that demonstrate that
maintenance costs with asphalt paved trails and roads are in fact MORE than with
alternatives such a crushed stone surface.
One report showing this was prepared at the request of the legislature for the state of
Wisconsin. We have attached a copy of this report for you here.
Another report which shows that the cost of maintaining courses surfaced with asphalt
paving likely costs more than maintaining a crushed stone or gravel surface was prepared
by the Kentucky Transportation Center, University of Kentucky at Lexington. A copy of
this report is also attached here.
We are also familiar with a number of other studies and reports that similarly support the
notion that the cost of maintaining asphalt pavement surfaces costs more than what it
costs to maintain crushed stone surfaces.
In sum, it should be clear that the best and most rigorous information that has been
supplied to date concerning both the cost of installation and maintenance of various
surfaces suggests, if not conclusively demonstrates, that asphalt paving costs more than
other satisfactory alternatives.
Accessibility Considerations
It should be very clear that there are important considerations and protections that are in
place that require trail surfaces to be accessible to people of all abilities. The staff
proposal does not include any mention of this important consideration.
Again, it may be that the staff concluded that this consideration was implicit in its
proposal, but we again suggest that a consideration this important should be made explicit
in any policy adopted by the City.
There are a number of reasons for this, but one is that this consideration should be an
important starting point for any review and examination of any proposal for a new trail or
the refurbishing of an existing one.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 9
You may or may not be aware that immediate legal requirements will likely attach in
connection with any effort to develop any new trail or to refurbish any existing one that
will establish certain accessibility requirements for the trail at issue.
As you may recall, we have consulted with several accessibility consultants as part of our
work and examination of these issues, including Mike Passo, an expert in this area who
worked for many years with Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that, as you may know,
specializes in making the outdoors accessible and available to individuals of all abilities,
Susan Ostby, a Program Director at the National Center on Accessibility, and others.
Although we want to underscore that we understand that only the general trail policy is
under consideration at the present time, providing some background concerning these
accessibility requirements and when and how they apply in a specific situation may be of
assistance.
The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") is
responsible for developing accessibility guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 ("ADA") to ensure that new construction and alterations of facilities covered
by title H and II of the ADA are readily accessible to and useable by individuals with
disabilities.
The Access Board convened a Recreation Access Advisory Committee (RAAC) in July
1993 as the first step in developing a set of additional provisions and application sections.
The RAAC issued a report in July 1994 that addresses the various types of recreation
facilities and that identified the features of each facility type that are not adequately
addressed by the initial ADA regulations. Subsequently, another Committee called the
Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed
Areas was established in 1997 and ultimately reached a consensus on the accessibility
guidelines for newly constructed and altered outdoor developed areas covered by the
ADA.
While not formally adopted as regulation yet today, these guidelines continue to be the
best available indication of the standards that would and should be applied in any
examination of accessibility issues for outdoor developed areas.
At the present time, any work beyond normal maintenance on any trail in the City of
Golden Valley, including the trail and path in the South Tyrol Hills neighborhood for
example, would implicate the accessibility requirements set forth in the report. They
dictate types of surfaces allowed for trails, as well as other features such as the inclines
allowed.3 It should be noted that under the guidelines, asphalt paving is not required as
long as the surface is "firm and stable."
3 Although the Neighborhood Association is still gathering information about the applicability of the ADA
and the consensus requirements, it appears at the present time that the standards set forth in section 16.2 of
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 10
The Rocky Mountain Easter Seals Camp, where a number of the meetings firming up the
guidelines was held, has used one of the alternative products the Neighborhood
Association has pointed out (Gravelpave) on trails and paths at its facility.
Aesthetic Considerations
There is no question that under the important principles of Biophilia, as well as just as a
matter of common sense, the aesthetic considerations are and should be important aspect
of any decision as to how to surface a trail.
Even knowledgeable technicians and engineers concede this point. Kevin Abbey,
Director of the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State University, and
with whom tho Neighborhood Association has consulted, is on record as stating that
appearance counts "more than you might think, particularly with ever-expanding urban
and suburban acres. People say to me, `When you take your kids out for a walk in the
woods or go hunting or fishing, do you really want to drive [or walk] on a paved road [or
trail]?' Of course not. Aesthetics do play a part."
Beyond a contrasting perception and ambiance that many perceive are different between
say, a trail paved with asphalt as compared with one surfaced with crushed stone, asphalt
paving has been known, including in our own City of Golden Valley, to not infrequently
attract graffiti — sometimes down right tawdry but usually at least unpleasant --
particularly in connection with what one otherwise expected was stroll that would
hopefully bring some solace and peace.
These unsightly additions contribute a whole new dimension to the negative aesthetic
many associate with asphalt paving. (On another note, addressing and seeking to
eliminate the graffiti can also be quite a struggle, and be just another one of the costs of
maintaining an asphalt surface that may not be factored in when comparing that surface
to others where graffiti is not as prevalent).
The proposed policy submitted by the City staff does not mention anything about
aesthetics as being a factor or consideration that should be taken into account in
determining what surfacing option should be used for any particular trail.
the report indicate that it would not be possible to make the trail and path in the South Tyrol Hills area
accessible without substantial renovation given the significant incline on the portion of the path that
connects with June Avenue. To our knowledge, the City has not addressed this situation and acknowledged
its interpretation of how the guidelines apply one way or the other. We do understand that there have not
been any construction drawings or specifications prepared, even though work was originally slated to begin
in August 2003.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 11
Historical and Cultural Considerations
Rightly so, the City of Golden Valley has been gathering input on and encouraging
recognition of the history of the City and how our community has thrived and prospered.
This is apparent from the Envision series which the City has sponsored, as well as the
new video "Celebrate Golden Valley — A Tradition of Pioneer Spirit and Community
Values" which has recently become available.
The culture of the City has been and continues to be vibrant as well. Although certainly
things change and continue to change, a rich cultural fabric is woven through the
institutions and neighborhoods, which is, and should be, cherished and nurtured.
Indeed, a rich tradition and cultural meaning can be found in most every portion of our
City, and it should be no surprise that there may well be aspects of this history and
culture may well be tied in one way or another to the development or existence of a
present trail or one that may find its way into development at some point in the future.
It would be a shame not to allow or even encourage important considerations of history
and culture to play a role in determining whether a trail should be developed or
refurbished, and, if so, what form such development or rejuvenation should take.
The policy proposed by the City staff does not include mention of history or culture as
factors that should be taken into account in determining surface should be applied for any
particular trail. On the other hand, historical and cultural considerations are among the
criteria that are part of the trail policy proposal presented by the Neighborhood
Association.
Safety and Security Considerations
Again, one could probably presume that most everyone would agree that safety and
security issues should be part of the decision making process in selecting the particulars
for a trail. At the very least, one would expect that these sorts of considerations would be
part of any determination as to whether to create a trail, or rehabilitate one, and how any
such trail would be constructed or improved.
Any particular situation may involve safety and security issues that differ from other
situations, depending on the circumstances. Just as with many of the other considerations
mentioned, there is no clear winner with paving here. As previously noted in materials
we have submitted to the City, neighbors and more formal experts alike have recognized
that there may be an advantage to the warning a bike traveling over crushed stone may
produce through the sound of its tires which is not as present or noticeable on asphalt.
Similarly, it is widely recognized that paving can and likely will increase the speed of
vehicle travel, which also creates safety issues that need to be considered and may well
not favor asphalt in many circumstances.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 12
The policy proposal presented by the City staff does not mention these considerations, or
identify them as being factors in any way. In contrast, they are specifically included as
part of the criteria that would need to be examined for any trail proposal.
Environmental and Ecological Considerations
Although some may argue to the contrary, a fair reading of the issues in the
environmental and ecological area suggest that there is much that can be debated in this
domain in terms of the pros and cons afforded by the different surfaces applications that
are can be used for trails in Golden Valley.
We do not see it as prudent to seek to argue these issues in any detail at this juncture --
we simply do not see it as possible to be able to supply adequate and accurate information
in such short order that can definitively resolve the various environmental and ecological
issues that exist.
The fact that we believe, and think with any fair reading most would also believe, that
there is at least a debate about many aspects in the environmental and ecological area as it
relates to trails and their surfacing in our community, suggests that these too should be
part of the considerations that should be carefully examined in connection with decisions
being made about the particulars for any specific trail.
The policy proposal presented by the City staff seems for the most part to resolve the
various questions of environmental and ecological dimension in a way that eliminates the
need for further consideration of most of the questions in these areas when a particular
trail is considered, and, with that sidestep, leaves only a limited review of and
deliberation about certain environmental and ecological issues (mainly, whether the area
cannot be accessed by construction and maintenance equipment without adverse
environmental impact).
The Neighborhood Association does not believe that the myriad of environmental and
ecological issues at play are nearly so cut and dried, and includes environmental and
ecological considerations -- broadly defined and not limited to a narrow aspect -- as
other important criteria that should be explored in connection with decisions about the
particulars for any trail project.4
4 As with any of the criteria that should be examined and considered in connection with a proposed trail,
there may be certain particulars or specifics that ought to be part of the plan before any trail is approved.
Depending on the circumstance, for example, there are steps that are commonly recommended to address
possible environmental issues. Some have to do with the surface applied, while others have to do more
with the structure of the trail itself, signage or other aspects of a trail. Experience has resulted in even
suggestions to assist in reducing vandalism. See, e.g., Pathways for People — Trail Design to Minimize
Environmental Damage and Enhance User Enjoyment, put out by the Purdue University Extension Service.
Members of Open Space and Recreation Commission/Environmental Commission
October 27, 2003
Page 13
Closin
Again, we are appreciative of the opportunity to provide input and attempt to shape this
process for the betterment of the City of Golden Valley. We would have liked to present
more information from the experts we have had the privilege of working with, or even
have them interface with you directly, but to a certain extent the limited time available
and other considerations prevented that at this time.
We are committed to seeing this through, however, and will continue to work vigorously
and tirelessly on these issues, in cooperation with the City Council and others, with an
eye toward coming up with the best policy for our entire City.
Appreciatively yours,
s
Jim bbott Ladner
co resident — South Tyrol Hills Neighborhood Association
cc: Jeannine Clancy/City of Golden Valley Staff
South Tyrol Hills Neighbors and other interested citizens