Planning Context
Pierce County is renowned for its recreational opportunities and scenic natural areas, as well as its bustling cities and quiet towns. With so many amenities in close proximity, residents can enjoy excellent access to a wide variety of activities and county resources. Direct and safe connections by means other than an automobile are of value to county residents when travelling between these destinations and activity centers.
The county has a network of trails that are popular both for recreation and transportation. In the summer of 2008, Pierce County began a planning process to improve its existing trail system and prepare for future population growth. The intent of the regional trail system as defined by the county’s Park, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Plan, is to enhance non-motorized transportation options throughout Pierce County by connecting all major developed areas and adjacent counties throughout the region. The Pierce County Regional Trails Plan (PCRTP) will take into account the issues, needs, and opportunities identified during the PROS Plan regarding on and off-street trails, to enhance connectivity between major destinations, and throughout the county’s extensive park and recreation system.
In order to plan for a regional trail network, a vision and definition needs to be developed for the county. A starting point for crafting the vision is the State of Washington Trails Plan, which defines a trail as:
…a path, route, way, right-of-way, or corridor posted, signed, or designated as open for travel or passage by the general public but not normally designated as open for the transportation of commercial goods or services by motorized vehicles[.] [It] is an opportunity to experience solitude or companionship, recreation or challenge; an opportunity for the appreciation of nature; a means of achieving renewal of body, mind, and spirit.
This definition combined with the objectives set forth in the PROS Plan could provide a starting point for the county’s preferred regional trail system of the future. This document puts forth a definition for the regional trail network that could provide a vision for the planning process.
...an accessible and seamless trails network used by people of all ages and abilities for transportation and recreation. Pierce County trails will provide users with a practical transportation option; the opportunity to experience solitude or companionship, recreation or challenge. It will offer connections to major developed areas and attractions within the county, provide opportunities for appreciation of nature, and connect the county to the greater region.
Planning for a region-wide trails system involves understanding the role of various, cities, districts, agencies, departments, and public and private groups. Overlapping jurisdictions, goals, and strategies create the potential for complexity in planning for the network of trail corridors, parks and natural open space areas in the county. As such, the Planning Context Summary Report provides an overview of the existing environment, people, and policies involved in the trail planning process.
