HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 4/23/2024 - Memorandum From Jill Wuertz And Dave “Dk” Kemp Re: Strategic Trails PlanPark Planning & Development
215 N Mason, Fort Collins CO 80524
970-221-6660
parkplanning@fcgov.com
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MEMORANDUM
Date: April 18, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Dean Klingner, Community Services Director
From: Jill Wuertz, Senior Manager, Park Planning & Development
Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner, Park Planning & Development
Subject: Strategic Trails Plan
BOTTOM LINE
The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce and update Council on the Strategic Trails
Plan, including the scope of work, community engagement strategy and project timeline. The
project team may schedule a Council Work Session later in the planning process to vet draft
plan recommendations. Park Planning & Development will also conduct on-going updates in
concert with FC Moves to address Council’s priority to advance a 15-minute city by accelerating
our shift to active modes.
BACKGROUND
An interdepartmental team is updating the 2013 Paved Recreational Trails Master Plan,
renamed, the Strategic Trails Plan (STP). STP will provide a framework for the future planning,
design, maintenance, and preservation of the paved trail system. The planning process is
underway, and staff has prepared a number of immediate public input opportunities as part of
the first phase of community engagement to access community needs:
An in-person public open house event was held on Monday, April 15 at the Northside
Aztlan Community Center introducing community members to the STP and listening to
initial concerns and ideas regarding the current state of the trail system and potential,
future trail connections.
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Development of the plan's Our City webpage to review supplemental information and
receive periodic project updates via email, including:
o A questionnaire open through May 1.
o An interactive mapping tool to share feedback and suggestions regarding specific
trails, existing and proposed.
o An interactive StoryMap showcasing the history of trail construction in Fort
Collins created by the Geospatial Centroid at Colorado State University in
partnership with Park Planning & Development.
A Community Working Group consisting of at-large community members and representatives
from key stakeholder organizations has been formed to help steer the planning process and to
vet key planning concepts and policies, including the project goals to:
Assess if the paved trail system is meeting the needs of the community and determine
opportunities and challenges for improvement.
Develop a shared vision for the expansion of the paved trail system to meet the future
needs of a growing community.
Create transparency to trail funding, planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
Explore and develop new policies to improve the current and future paved trail system.
The focus areas of the STP extends past the 2013 plan objectives to address existing and new
challenges and opportunities associated with growing and preserving the trail system:
Plan Congruence: Ensure the STP aligns with recommendations from several
supporting adopted plans, including:
o ReCreate: Parks and Recreation Master Plan (P. 228) – which identifies the
following key action items:
Expand the network of paved, multi-use trails.
Increase safe routes to parks and recreation facilities (including schools
and neighborhoods).
Ensure trails function for a range of recreational and transportation users.
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o Active Modes Plan and its goals and objectives pertaining to Safe Routes to
School and the 15-Minute City.
o Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan (In Progress).
o Our Climate Future.
Equity of Existing & Future Trails: Review proposed trails and provide
recommendations on new trails to meet the needs of Fort Collins’ expanding population,
including a focus on connecting to underrepresented neighborhoods and schools.
Community Engagement: Utilize a diverse array of community engagement and
communication tactics to engage community members, with special focus on connecting
with underrepresented community members.
Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility: Review current safety outreach practices and
ordinances; and provide recommendations to create a culture of safety among users of
the trail system.
Maintenance: Analyze trail conditions, consolidate current and new maintenance
issues, and prioritize improvements.
Design and Construction Standards: Review existing design standards and provide
recommendations to ensure standards are contemporary and meet the needs of Fort
Collins’ growing population.
Development Review: Review and provide recommendations on developer
requirements for trail easements, cost shares, construction, maintenance, and
connections.
Irrigation Ditch Compatibility: Evaluate the feasibility of pairing trails on, along, or
across irrigation ditches. Create public transparency to known challenges and explore
opportunities for future collaboration with irrigation ditch companies.
Funding: Review and summarize trail funding strategies and identify new funding
opportunities to potentially accelerate the growth of trail construction.
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PROJECT TIMELINE
The Strategic Trails Plan is comprised of three project phases with three respective phases of
community engagement. Beginning in March 2024, the planning process is expected to last
approximately 12 months with hopeful council review and adoption in spring 2025. Below is the
project timeline:
1. Vision & Needs (March – May)
a. Phase I – Community Engagement: Assessing community needs
b. Key Tasks:
i. Plan congruence
ii. Trail inventory & maintenance assessment
iii. Gaps & future trails assessment
2. Proposed Connections & Policies (June – October)
a. Phase II – Community Engagement: Reactions to proposed new connections & trail
experience enhancements
b. Key Tasks:
i. Gaps and future trails (continued.)
ii. Level of Service
iii. Irrigation Ditch Compatibility
iv. Development Review – Code Refinements
v. Design and Construction Standards
vi. Safety, Mobility, and Accessibility
vii. Funding & Implementation
3. Draft Plan & Recommendations (October – March 25’)
a. Phase III - Community Engagement: Public review
b. Key tasks:
i. Incorporate public input
ii. Prepare final plan
iii. Council review and hopeful adoption
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In summary: Staff is excited to launch the Strategic Trails Plan and looks forward to a robust
and equitable engagement process with Fort Collins’ community members and stakeholders.
Staff will be available to members of City Council throughout the process to provide any
information. Please contact: Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Trails Planner: DK@fcgov.com or mobile:
970-290-0780.
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