Needs Analysis
The intent of a regional trail system is to link all major developed areas with a network of trails that serves both transportation and recreation purposes. Ideally, a regional trail system will provide an integrated network of non-motorized trails that link County park facilities, employment centers, retail, education, and housing across the County. The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Master Plan, 2008, identifies regional trails as a priority for the County and defines the goals and objectives for regional trails in Goal 2 of the plan.
“Goal 2: Provide a regional system of off-street trails and corridors that links parks, open spaces, significant environmental features, public facilities, and areas of interest.
- Enhance the existing trail network to develop an off-road, multipurpose trail system connecting all major P&RS parks and open space areas to schools, public facilities, business districts, other parks and points of interest, and key destinations in the community.
- Enhance the existing system of water trails in salt and freshwater bodies to support recreation opportunities for kayakers, canoers, paddle boaters, and other non-motorized watercraft users.
- Provide diverse trail opportunities, including both hard and soft-surfaced trails, looped trail systems, and trails with a variety of lengths and access points.
- Link the Pierce County trail system with other regional trail systems, neighboring counties, and nearby jurisdictions.
- Provide adequate facilities and trail-support services including interpretive and directory signage, seating, drinking fountains, restrooms, parking and loading areas, viewpoints and overlooks.
- Coordinate with other park agencies, cities, local communities, trail organizations and providers to support trail development in Pierce County.
- Increase public awareness of the trail system.”
In order to meet the objects of Goal 2 and determine the need for trails, a comprehensive review of the existing and proposed trails system was conducted. The analysis involved a series of steps that together inform the needs assessment analysis.
Public Involvement
The Regional Trails Plan for Pierce County is a continuation of the PROS Master Plan process. Through the PROS planning effort, the public indicated a need for trail facilities for both recreation and transportation purposes. For this planning effort, a Technical Working Group (TWG) was formed to review project materials, provide guidance in the Plan’s direction, and to provide technical trails information. In addition, the TWG members provided first hand information regarding the existing and proposed trail alignments, as well as desired linkages to meet existing deficiencies in the trail system.
Plan Review
Within the region-wide system, many cities, towns, districts, departments, agencies, and public and private groups are involved in the provision of trails on local, county, regional, state, and federal levels. Overlapping jurisdictions, goals, and strategies create complexity in planning for the network of trail corridors, parks, and natural open space areas in the county. The Planning Context Report, issued November 2008, reviews existing trail plans and their specific trail alignments, which have been incorporated into the trails inventory used for this needs assessment.
Trails Inventory
Information on trails has been provided by multiple sources. During the plan review phase, trails data was gathered from individual plan maps and added to the County’s existing GIS data. This dataset was then posted into an interactive Google Maps™ application for the TWG to review, verify, and modify. The information was posted on the Google™ website for two and a half months for review and modification. The resulting inventory included alignments for paved off-street trail alignments as well as on-street trail linkage opportunities.
Planning Process
This report summarizes the existing and proposed regional trails network, presents the findings of a trail gap assessment, proposes a regional trail classification system, and presents a regional trails concept. This report will inform the rest of the trails planning process, which has been organized into four planning phases: background and review, analysis and inventory, plan development, and plan refinement and adoption. The information collected and analyzed in the Planning Context Report and this Needs Assessment Summary Report will be incorporated into the third project phase. The development of a draft Regional Trails Framework Summary Report will include trail design standards and guidelines, a trail amenities catalog, and a prototype public involvement process.
