HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Parks and Human Services - 02/08/1989 Marie Jense
City Clerk
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PARRS COMMITTEE MINUTES jJ 79,89U
February S. 1989 C/Ty Q
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Councilmembers Present: Judy Woods, Jon Johnson
Staff Present: Jim Harris, Barney Wilson, Sandra
Driscoll, Jim Hansen, Carolyn Lake,
Alana McIalwain, Nancy Leahy,
Patrice Thorell, Neil Sullivan,
Jack Ball, Cheryl Fraser, Robyn
Bartelt, Lori Hogan, John Marchioni,
Ramona Valdez
Also Present: Mr. M. V. Petersen
Lake Fenwick Improvements
Wilson advised that the $300,000 Lake Fenwick construction project
had been approved; the project will be bid in the spring with
construction beginning this summer.
Green River Trail Use - Signing
Leahy reported that in response to citizen concern, the Department
recommends signing that is standard for multi-use trails in Seattle
and King County, as follows (see attachment for sign design) :
- Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians
- Bicyclists to use bell or voice when passing other users
- Bicyclists to slow when pedestrians are present
- All trail users to keep to right
- Fast bicyclists use bypass route
The Department recommended through signing, educational maps and
safety bulletins to reroute faster, "serious" cyclists by
encouraging trail bypass and use of the street system instead.
Petersen stated that this recommendation is on the right track but
doubted whether this would deter the high speed bicyclist. He also
expressed concern about bicyclists using City sidewalks and the
City's liability in potential accidents between golf carts and
bicyclists if golf carts use trail to retrieve balls. Wilson
replied that carts will only be using about 100 feet of the path.
For informational purposes, Petersen provided a PI article about
hiking trail problems on Cougar Mountain.
Hansen said that since this is an educational matter, signing is
appropriate, and that pedestrians must be educated as well,
although he felt multi-use trails have an inherent Oonflict.
Woods moved and Johnson seconded the authorization of budgetary
expenditures necessary for posting signs at trail access points and
stenciling signs on the asphalt along dedicated multi-ruse trails.
The motion passed unanimously. Wilson reported that 'trail width
would be enlarged to 12 feet where possible.
Parks Department Ordinance
It was the consensus of the Committee to authorize the offices of
the City Attorney, ' Mayor, Acting City Administrator and the Parks
and Police Departments to work together to identify and address
concerns and issues and report back to the Parks Committee.
Johnson will advise of his suggestions regarding the language of
the document. Driscoll confirmed that there was no critical
timeframe as the Department is operating under the existing
ordinance and the auditor will not be looking at this matter
immediately.
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To: Barney Wilson
Director of Parks & Recreation
From: Nancy Leahy
Public Information and Marketing Coordinator
Date: February 8, 1989
Re: Green Rider Trail Use Concerns
Due to recent questions and concerns raised over safe and
appropriate use of the trail system along Green Riveir, I have done
some research with other regional trail system , operators to
determine what options are available for our consideration.
It is certain, that as we develop and promote our multi-mouse hails,
and to encourage ctitizens to improve their health and happiness
through physical exercise such as walking, jogging And bicycling,
the issues of increased and varying use will challenge us to find
solutions allowing pedestrians and bicyclers to co-exist.
A few general policies seem to be standard for mult$ruse trails in
Seattle and King Co.
- Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians
- Trail users ale asked to use bell or voice when ,passing all
other trail users
- Bicyclists should slow when pedestrians are present
- All trail users should keep to the right
These seem to be good, simple policies that couldi, be signed or
stenciled throughout the trail system, and also be reinforced
through publication of trail use safety tips in our new (1989)
Trail Map and Guide (to be printed this spring) .
This Map/Guide will feature not only our Green River recreational
corridor trails, but also all other trails mat4,gdned by the
Department (including the (K.C. ) Interurban trail a4 West Fenwick
trails) , ej2d dedicated bicycle lanes on streets,v ae indicated by
the Public Works department.
Use of the surface street system is something, w# may want to
actively encourage the faster, "serious" cyclist �a 4ti'lize, rather
than the mixed-use trail system. This is curt*n ;jy being done
through "By-pass" signage (see attached) on the ,G,ilman trail.
Signs (and possibly route maps) could be install** t help indicate
street route by-pusses for the faster, more c ' 04ttve cyclist,
for the safety of others.
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I have additional information on other , options that have been
considered but not recommended by other jurisdictioaso including:
Speed limits on trails:
There is no true safe speed limit for all conditions of
weather, crowdedness, skill level, etc. Speed limits are also
nearly impossible to enforce.
Speed bumps:
Hazards to cyclists and increase City's liability exposure.
Center lane stripe:
Although it reinforces the concept of "keeptnglto the right, "
it also fosters a "highway mentality" and ,te�ds to squeeze
pedestrians completely off the right trail Shoulder.
"Chicanes" or double curve gates:
Forces cyclist to slow or even get off bike to pass through.
Expensive to ;install, even more expensive in ngibtenance man
hours to remove and replace to gain access to email areas for
maintenance. Not conclusively effective over entire trail
length even where tried.
I would be happy to work with Maintenance on further development
of any/all ideas you wish to pursue.