The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09 CHAPTER 8 . . . PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Chapter 8 Auburn Trails Trails are a popular attraction throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our mild climate and love of outdoor activities contribute to strong support and use of trails, particularly in urbanized areas. What IS a Trail? A trail is a travel way intended for pedestrians and other users that excludes motorized traffic. It can be paved, and designed to support bicyclists, joggers and other users who require a hard surface. Or be unpaved, to serve walkers, hikers and equestrians. This plan will look at trails from two different viewpoints. First, are purely recreational trails; second, are trails serving both recreational and transportation needs. This differentiation is useful in determining the location and quantity of additional trails needed in the City of Auburn. For this plan, the three types of trails are described as recreational loop trails, linear trails and recreation/transportation trails. Table 8-1 illustrates the existing trails present in Auburn. 1. Recreational Loop Trails Short recreational trails, which are contained within a single park or site, are usually in the form of a loop. They are intended for walking, bicycling or skating. They may connect different activity areas within a park, and sometimes provide a connection to the immediate neighborhood. Trails may be made of a hard surfaced material such as concrete or asphalt, or a "soft" surfaced material such as crushed stone or bark chips. The advantage of hard surfaced paths is they can accommodate more types of users, while soft surfaced paths have a more rustic, natural feeling. Hard surface trails are also usable in all weather conditions. Auburn * More Than You Imagined 8-1 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Table 8-1 Existing and Future Trails in Auburn . . <i« Trails ......................................... ...... ·..·····.·.··..···..·i.·· ». ./ <.../ I ....... > .......>1 i ·1 LoOp, Tl1In.pØ'r-t~ ·n. ",.L"' Futuretrall~ I:noldg atioli Total .. ..~",II"")·... ".rK .(",11"') MIt."" ..... ,., 1'1....... .';"il""i At Street SE Trail i,'\uburndale Park Paved loop path around park 0.41 0 BPA Trails (Future) Palhs to be dfveloped in the future 0 PaYed loop path around Park to Green River levee. Soft surface trail Brannan Park extends along the levee. 1.19 1.00 2.19 C Street SF Trail Future trail done in 2006 Paved loop path through park and Cameron Park IOOI}S through Lemon Tree Lane 0.33 0.33 --..- Cedar Lanes Park informal path through wooded area 0.25 0.25 Dogwood Sou th Future trail ----- ---------- -- Loòp' path to be develQped Fulmer Park (Future) 0 --------- Paved loop path around meadow, play struetul't', ball fields. Extensive Game Farm Park sidewalk tht'oughout park 2.30 1.00 3.3 Pand trail along the "'bite River Game Farm Wilderness Pnrk* and around the gt'oup camp ana. 1.25 1.00 1 Green Riyer Trail (Future) Paved (Tail along (he Green River 0 Paved 12' -wide trail runs alongside the Union Pacific railroad. from the Interurban Trail city's northern to southern IimUs 4.5 4.5 Paved loop through wood and along Isaac Evans Park the Green River 1.07 1.07 Paved loop (hrough wood and Jornada Pari, around park 0.10 0.1 Extensive sidewalk path on Lakeland Hills "''''sy from Evergreen W'a~' to Lakeland Hills Linear Lake- Tapps Parkway 0.73 0.73 Paved loop path around recreational Lakeland HiUs Park Trail fields 0.39 0.39 Luke Tapps Blvd. Trail Paved sidewalk and asphalt trail 1.62 1.62 Les Go\'(" Park Trail Paved loop path around open space 0.50 0.5 Mill Creek-CorriÙor:/Auï;urn Environmental Park Future trail Paved loop path around pond. MHI Pond Park Trail Connects to Lakeland Hills Trail. 0.29 0.29 -..- Both hard áud soft surface tnils are present in the park. A paved loop Roegner Puk* path is marked. 1.29 1.00 1 Rotary Park (Future) Loop path to Of developed 0 8-2 · · · . . . PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Shaughnessy Park (Futur~) Sunset Park \Vhite Rh'er Trail* \ViHiams Trail Total Jt.erer to 2005 Transportation}>lan ])~$c~iption l..oop )ath to be developed Paved loop path around park. Paved and soft surface trail Future trail 13.37 miles Auburn * More Than You Imagined Linear1'otal (mil'.) 0.69 0.86 9.93 Loop Inside Park mileS. 0.50 4.5* 8.59 'transpc.rt., atio,n'Totäl (mil...) Miles 4.50 1.19 4.5 8-3 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON 2. Linear Trails Recreational trails designed to connect one area of the city or activity center to another. They lead to a destination point and are hard surfaced so they are usable in most weather conditions and for a variety of activities, such as walking, bicycling, and skating. · 3. Recreation/Transportation Trails Trails designed to connect one area of the city or activity center to another serve a dual role for both recreational and transportation uses. Recreation! transportation trails are generally linear in layout, lead to a destination point, and are hard surfaced so they are usable in most weather conditions and for a variety of transportation modes, such as walking, bicycling, and skating. Sometimes called "multi- modal trails", they are designed and constructed to stricter standards than the loop paths, and normally accommodate two-way traffic. In recent trail construction in Roegner Park, and along the White River Trail, Auburn has added a soft surfaced trail alongside the paved trail where possible. This enables riders on horseback, hikers or others who need the extra traction to use these same trail corridors. Future trail construction will include soft surfaced trails where feasible. · Current RecreationjTransportation Trails · Interurban · Lakeland · White River Interurban Trail- This 12' wide trail is located in the Puget Power right-of-way and parallels the Union Pacific Railroad for much of its length. The Interurban Trail currently runs north to south through Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Algona and Pacific, and is approximately 17 miles long. The trail is the primary north and south route suitable for non= motorized travel between valley communities. The trail's location through the heart of Auburn's industrial district brings potential users close to several of the largest employers in the city. Boeing, GSA, and the SuperMall are also located adjacent to the trail; downtown Auburn is less than 1/2 mile from the trail. The Interurban Trail and the White River Trail are also designed for use by equestrians. Informal trails in the open space areas of southeast Auburn are also used. The shoulders of some of the rural roads are · 8-4 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN · used by equestrians, although these are not designed or managed for this particular use. Lakeland Hills Trail- This trail connects the growing Lakeland development with Mill Pond and Oravetz Road. It is unique in Auburn because it passes directly through a residential neighborhood. As Lakeland continues to grow, the trail will extend to ensure all neighborhood residents have easy access. Future connections will allow residents to travel from Oravetz Road to Lake Tapps Boulevard and Sunset Park. Due to steep grades and narrow width, the trail is most appropriate for pedestrian use only. With the completion of Roegner Park and Auburn Riverside High School, the Lakeland Hills trail has seen a dramatic increase in use. White River Trail- The trail, within Roegner Park, falls into both the recreational loop path and recreation/ transportation trail categories. The trail extends east along the White River to Game Farm Wilderness Park. · The future extension of the trail expects to increase its usefulness as a transportation way. It will provide a much-needed east/west connector in the south part of Auburn for cyclists and equestrians. The proposed trail extends west to A Street SE, and appropriate provisions will be made for cyclists on A Street and Kersey Way, this will prove to be a very valuable link in our non-motorized network and a connection to the local schools in the area. · Game Farm Park Wilderness Trail White River Trail Auburn * More Than You Imagined 8-5 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Do We Need More Trails? Determining the need for trails is more complex than it is for other recreational facilities because of the large area they can cover and the many different trail uses. This plan will look at survey responses from City residents to evaluate the current demand for recreational loop paths. Recreation/transportation trails are discussed briefly, but by necessity, are more fully analyzed in the City of Auburn Transportation Plan under the non-motorized trail section. Survey Results The public opinion survey reveals that Auburn residents have a strong interest in trail related activities. The survey asked several questions concerning residents current use, what kind of trails they would most like to see developed, what recreation activities they participate in now, and what activities they would participate in if facilities were available. These questions were primarily oriented toward recreational trail use. Sixty-one percent of Auburn households indicated that there was a need for walking and biking trails. Forty percent of Auburn households also wanted non-paved trails and biking trails. The survey respondents indicated that the residents were willing to spend $13 for every $100 to improve/expand walking & biking trails and non-motorized vehicle trails. Current Participation in All Recreation Activities: Activities that can be performed on trails constitute four of the top 25 activities that Auburn residents participate in. See Table 8-2. Please note the survey activities ranked first and second are running/ walking and visiting nature areas, which are activities usually conducted outdoors. Walking for pleasure is therefore the most popular outdoor activity in the City. Future Participation: When asked what activities they would participate in if facilities were available, respondents indicated walking for pleasure and visiting nature areas were their number one and two choices. The category bicycling was ranked tenth. 8-6 · · Table 8-2 Survey Results for Trail Related Activities 1. Running or walking 2. Visiting nature areas 5. Bicycling 12. Skateboarding/inline skating · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN . Current Trail Use: More than 66% reported they had used a trail in Auburn last year. Need For Trails: More than half of the respondents indicated that additional paved trails for biking, walking and other activities are needed. In addition, Auburn's youth participate in recreation activities at a rate about 40% higher than the population as a whole. Under driving age students heavily depend on sidewalks and trails as a means of getting from place to place in the community. . Conclusions from the Survey Survey results support the conclusion demand for additional trails is high. The existing trails do not provide complete coverage for the City, whether for recreation or transportation uses. The fourteen recreational loop paths occur in scattered locations, but with the exception of Les Gove Park, the central portion of the city is not well- served. Because this is also the most developed part of the city, it will be difficult to add trails in this area. The Parks Department will work with the Planning Department to add trail connectors as new developments are proposed, especially along the Green and White Rivers. Current Trail Efforts Constructing new recreational loop paths in existing and future parks is a viable and reasonable way of meeting some of the demand for additional walking/biking/skating facilities. Parks and other City- owned properties that could accommodate new loop paths are: Current · Auburndale Park · Brannan Park · Cameron Park · Cedar Lanes Park · Game Farm Park · Game Farm Wilderness Park . Auburn * More Than You Imagined 8-7 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON · Cedar Lanes Park · Isaac Evans Park · Lakeland Hill Park Park · Les Gove Park · Lake Tapps Trail · Mill Pond Park · Roegner Park · Sunset Park . Future · BPA trails (Extension of White River Trail Loop) · Fulmer Park · Rotary Park · Green River Trail · Shaughnessy Park · West Hill Watershed · Extension of Lakeland Linear Trail Opportunities for trails are explored in all new park design and construction. Gaines Park, Cedar Lanes Park and Lakeland Hills Parks, both small neighborhood parks, each have a short loop path of approximately 1/4 mile. Roegner Park, Game Farm Wilderness Park, and the White River Trail includes two parallel trails that include a soft surfaced path suitable for hikers and equestrians through part of the site, and a paved trail that extends the entire length of the park site. The trail continues east, connecting with the trail in Game Farm Wilderness Park, and west to A Street SW, establishing this trail as an important east/west route for non-motorized traffic. Further connections to neighboring residential areas to the south via sidewalks and the Lakeland Hills Trail will increase the usability of the White River Trail for students and other users. . A master site plan is currently being developed for the Future Green River Trail. The trail is a project partly financed by the King County Open Space Bond funding. This twcrphase trail is planned to follow the alignment of the Green River from Seattle to Auburn Narrows. In Auburn it follows the west side of the river from the City's northern boundary to Brannan Park, where it crosses the river into Isaac Evans Park. The trail runs along the east side of the river, just outside of the existing Auburn city limits, crossing back to the west side at the Fenster/Green River Access, a new open space site. The Green River Trail will be a significant new resource for local residents. A longer term goal is to access the BPA power line and the Williams pipe line . 8-8 . . . PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN to extend the trail up into Lakeland Hills area and back down to the Valley. Like the Interurban, the Green River Trail will run in a north/south direction through Auburn. One or more connections between the two trails is desirable to provide safe and convenient access in an east/west direction across the valley. Small pocket parks or rest areas with picnic tables and benches are proposed along the trail. One planned connection is along the extension of S. 277th Street, where a paved trail for access from Auburn Way North to West Valley Highway. A second east-west trail from the Green River Trail to I St. should be located between 37th and 40th Street NE. Trail Goals and Objectives The City and region are committed to exploring transportation alternatives to the personal automobile. Walking and bicycling are two options, which are low-cost, energy-efficient and non-polluting. Trails are a means to encourage these alternative transportation methods, while improving accessibility between residential neighborhoods and jobs, shopping, schools, parks and other public facilities. The goal to create a pedestrian and bicycle network of trails was first introduced as Goal 7 in Chapter 4, Goals and Policies. This chapter expands those goals and objectives with more detailed policy statements. Goal 7 To create a pedestrian and bicycle network of trails. Trails are most useful if they are easily reached by large numbers of people. Like streets, they should be connectors between places people want to go. Because of the variety of possible destinations, a network of trails is desirable. 8-9 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON . Trail Network and Planning Objective 7.1 A network of trails should be developed which provides adequate coverage for the entire city, and which provides connections to surrounding communities. POlicy 7.1.1 A grid of interconnecting trails running both north/south and east/west be developed. Consideration is given to creating safe connections between trails to enable bicyclists, adults, children, equestrians and other specialized users to move "seamlessly" between trails. Policy 7.1.2The City seeks opportunities to create trail connections with surrounding communities. The City continues to participate in development of countywide and regional trail systems, such as the Interurban and Green River Trails. Transportation Plan Policy 7.1.3 The trail portions of the Park Plan and the Non- motorized transportation element of the Transportation Plan are coordinated and rules of the road enforcement should be addressed. . Policy 7.1.4 Potential conflicts between trail users and adjacent landowners are minimized by involving all parties during the planning and design process. Trail Design Objective 7.2 Trail design and layout take advantage of unique natural settings, and provide safe and efficient settings for all users. Discussion: An ideal trail is designed to be easily and quickly reached from any point in a neighborhood, and to directly link "nodes" of activity, such as schools, parks, and transit centers. Less opportunity exists to place trails in existing neighborhoods than in new neighborhoods, although when opportunities arise, these should also be explored. Sidewalks, trails and streets will form an overlapping network of transportation alternatives. In some settings trails and sidewalks may be redundant. . 8-10 · · · PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN Policy 7.2.1 Trails should be sited to connect new residential neighborhoods with surrounding public facilities and activity centers. Policy 7.2.2 Trails are designed to provide a pleasant, high-quality experience. Trail design should be related to surrounding natural and man-made features. Where needed, space adjacent to the trail is designed to provide a buffer between incompatible uses. Policy 7.2.3 Trail amenities provided at trail heads and important activity centers. These include features such as restrooms or portable sanitary facilities, water fountains, kiosks, covered shelters, paved parking, benches, horse loading areas and directional signage. Policy 7.2.4 Trail layout minimizes at-grade street crossings. Policy 7.2.5The most recent version of the AASHTO publication "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities" is used to provide gUidelines for paved trail design and construction. ADA guidelines for accessibility is followed when possible. For soft surfaced trails accommodating equestrians and hikers, frequent developers of trails such as the Backcountry Horsemen or the U.s. Forest Service are consulted as needed. Objective 7.3 The City participates in planning for regional trails in South King County. Possibilities for new trail connections between neighboring communities are explored. Trail Connections to Public Transit Policy 7.3.1 The City seeks to have trails connect directly to transit centers, bus stops, and other sources of public transportation where possible. 8-11 Auburn * More Than You Imagined CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON Discussion: By providing easy access to public transportation, intermodal travel may appeal to a larger number of people. Where transit centers are reached by foot or bike, the need for parking space may also be reduced. Where direct access to public transportation is not possible, signage and route markings are provided to the closest connections. · Serve a Variety of Users Objective 7.4 A variety of trail types and lengths are constructed to meet the needs of different user groups. Discussion: As shown by the trail counts, trails are used by all ages of people, who are engaged in many different activities. To meet these diverse demands, recreational loop paths in parks and neighborhoods are needed, as well as linear trails for both recreational and commuting use. Trail Recommendations Because of their magnitude, trail development is a long and involved process. Planning of trail projects usually occurs far in advance of their actual construction. This section identifies potential trails deserving of further research and planning, or have already undergone a certain amount of planning or design. Some of these trails can serve as part of the transportation network and are also included in Auburn's Transportation Plan. · It is important we take an aggressive approach to securing easements in locations where active development could remove the opportunity for future trails. A prime example of this is the Tacoma-Covington powerline, where warehouse and parking lot development on the valley floor may eliminate the possibility of an important potential east/west trail between Auburn and Federal Way. · 8-12 PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN . Potential Trails for Future Development 1. Interurban Trail Improvements Location: Trailhead at West Main Street Project Description: · Picnic area, landscaping, signage Schedule: Cost: Funding: 2006 $33,000 Grant 2. Dogwood South Location: From Dogwood Street on the south side of Auburn Way South, along old Howard Road, connecting to the new Howard Road and 21st Street. Project Description: · Stripe and sign for Class II lanes along Dogwood St. north of Auburn Way South · Connect to Class I trail created by this project, south of Auburn Way Schedule: Cost: Funding: . To be determined (see Transportation Plan) To be determined Apply for Grant 3. A Street SE Trail Location: A Street from south City limits to downtown Project Description: · Work with City of Pacific to create a plan for crossing the White River bridge safely and getting to Auburn's south City limits · Class I trail from 41st St. SE to Cross Street · Pedestrian/Bicycle tunnel under SR 18 · Project is envisioned on BNSF ROW Schedule: Cost: Funding: 2004-2006 $1,116,000 Mitigation for construction of intermodal freight yard 4. C Street SE Trail Location: C Street SE from Ellingson Road to 15th Street SW Project Description: · Class I trail · Project is envisioned on BNSF ROW . Schedule: Cost: Funding: Auburn * To be determined $275,000 Private Developer Safeway Distribution Center More Than You Imagined 8-13 CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON . 5. White River Trail Location: Roegner Park to A Street SE Project Description: Connect to "A" Street and underpass. Continue trail at Roegner Park westerly to "þ(' Street. Schedule: Cost: Funding: 2006-2007 $165,000 Apply for grant 6. Green River Trail - North Auburn portion Location: Brannan Park to S. 277th St. Project Description: Regional trail project from Seattle through Kent, and ending at the Auburn Narrows. Through joint efforts by Auburn and King County, preliminary planning and design are completed for the North Auburn portion of the trail. King County has funding to pay for construction of this phase and City of Auburn will work with developer as developments are constructed along Green River. Schedule: Cost: Funding: . 2004-2005 $2,000,000 King County 7. Mill Creek Corridor/Auburn Environmental Park Location: Along the Mill Creek, primarily north of SR 18 Project Description: A Linear Park project would introduce residents to the unique setting and ecosystem along the Creek. Trail surface would probably be a soft surface, and development alongside would be minimal, concentrating on environmental education. Schedule: Cost: Funding: 2006-2010 To be determined Impact Fees, Wetland Mitigation . 8-14 . . . PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE PLAN 8. Southeast Trails (Williams Trail) Location: South of the Stuck (White) River, and east of Kersey Way Project Description: Develop trails through open space in southeast Auburn, along utility corridors, where possible. Use existing trails created by equestrians in the area as a basis for developing a good network. Schedule: Cost: Funding: 2006-2010 To be determined Impact Fees/Grant 9. Future Trails identified in the Auburn Non-motorized Transportation Plan Schedule: Cost: Funding: To be identified To be determined Impact Fees/Grant 8-15 Auburn * More Than You Imagined . . . PROPOSED AUBURN PARK TRAIL SYSTEM S :>71111 ST S296tnST o . u , t -~ ' i " ~ . '" LEGEND CJ Auburn City Limit I I Annexation Limit _ Park & Open Space D Future Park Existing Multi Use Trail Proposed Trail Existing Bike Lane .t School 'Miles ~ , . c [) ÁÜBT:rrtN . .....ASHINGTON c ~ 1;:)1 .1 -j % Proposed j ~ ',Bfidge ~---¡..---~---:..- ~ ~ < t ,~",. ¡ [J . W ---Lf .t Park Trail System S1=3201~S ! -- Existing Trail __- Future Trail Green River Trail Inlerurban Trail Bonneville Power Trail While River Trail Williams Trail Lakeland Hills Trail New Alternative T rai Is (C & A Slreel) Terminal Park Trail Environmental Park Trail \ \ \", N A 0.5 BASE DATA PROVIDED BY: (c) City of Auburn, all rights reserved. No warranties of any sort, including aoo..lracy, fitness or merchantabilitiy, accompany this product. ~~:::-:-..:: ¡. IIII~ ~~ \ ~ \ ~ ~\ J '\.~\ I ~, I " , , , "- , '.... $3o-d STS~ _ ; ...-------....-"1' I 55111 ST SE , 51h.STN SEJ12lhST .>' f' , , ¡ f· ø.-."" ~,. .,.-.' .~ - --- --- . I f 1111'151 SE ~t:. . ;1 :. 21ajlSTSI! 01. r I , L I ì I L ì I ! í I II II 37<11 SrSE_.t LI - --- --- · · ·