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The Park Planning & Development team is updating the City's Strategic Trails Plan (STP), which will provide a framework for the future planning, design, maintenance, and preservation of the recreational paved trail system.
Note: While the Natural Areas Department also provides many miles of natural and paved trails, the STP includes only the paved trails maintained and managed by the City of Fort Collins Parks Department. Additionally, the Mason Trail is not included in the planning study as it falls under the city’s Streets Department.
We look forward to continuing the buildout of a paved trail network that is accessible, safe, innovative, and built with intention for users of all ages, lifestyles, activity levels, and transportation modes.
STRATEGIC TRAILS PLAN PROJECT GOALS
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.
PHASE I ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY The first phase of community outreach for the Strategic Trails Plan took place in March - May, and included a variety of engagement tools and opportunities. Feedback was centered around the community's experiences, challenges, opportunities, and values related to the paved trail system. A few key takeaways and themes that emerged from this phase of engagement are:
Trails for all. Everyone should have access to trail opportunities and the planning and design of trails should account for the great variation in abilities, cultural backgrounds, modes of movement, and diversity of the community.
Community Connections. Priority connections for the community include neighborhoods, schools, parks, natural areas, and linkages to other trails.
Interconnected Network. Trails are a key component of the City’s system of facilities for active transportation and recreation and should be considered congruently with those facilities to provide a seamless and safe user experience.
NEXT STEPS
Review and comment on the Proposed Trails Map Using data gathered from the first round of engagement, and the interactive map, there is a new version of the map that can be viewed and commented on. Conceptual routes have been identified through engagement feedback, as well as a full consideration and assessment of physical constraints within the built and natural environment.
Don’t see a trail you suggested? If you feel strongly about a missing connection, leave a comment under the “Missing Trail Connection” category to be flagged for the planning team.
Sign up for project updates with the "Stay Informed" link on this page. Periodic updates and event reminders will be sent directly to your email.
The Park Planning & Development team is updating the City's Strategic Trails Plan (STP), which will provide a framework for the future planning, design, maintenance, and preservation of the recreational paved trail system.
Note: While the Natural Areas Department also provides many miles of natural and paved trails, the STP includes only the paved trails maintained and managed by the City of Fort Collins Parks Department. Additionally, the Mason Trail is not included in the planning study as it falls under the city’s Streets Department.
We look forward to continuing the buildout of a paved trail network that is accessible, safe, innovative, and built with intention for users of all ages, lifestyles, activity levels, and transportation modes.
STRATEGIC TRAILS PLAN PROJECT GOALS
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.
PHASE I ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY The first phase of community outreach for the Strategic Trails Plan took place in March - May, and included a variety of engagement tools and opportunities. Feedback was centered around the community's experiences, challenges, opportunities, and values related to the paved trail system. A few key takeaways and themes that emerged from this phase of engagement are:
Trails for all. Everyone should have access to trail opportunities and the planning and design of trails should account for the great variation in abilities, cultural backgrounds, modes of movement, and diversity of the community.
Community Connections. Priority connections for the community include neighborhoods, schools, parks, natural areas, and linkages to other trails.
Interconnected Network. Trails are a key component of the City’s system of facilities for active transportation and recreation and should be considered congruently with those facilities to provide a seamless and safe user experience.
NEXT STEPS
Review and comment on the Proposed Trails Map Using data gathered from the first round of engagement, and the interactive map, there is a new version of the map that can be viewed and commented on. Conceptual routes have been identified through engagement feedback, as well as a full consideration and assessment of physical constraints within the built and natural environment.
Don’t see a trail you suggested? If you feel strongly about a missing connection, leave a comment under the “Missing Trail Connection” category to be flagged for the planning team.
Sign up for project updates with the "Stay Informed" link on this page. Periodic updates and event reminders will be sent directly to your email.
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Alignment: Ensure the STP aligns with recommendations from supporting plans including, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Active Modes Plan, Natural Areas Strategic Framework Plan, and Our Climate Future.
Equity of Existing & Future Trails: The STP will review proposed trails and trail spurs and provide recommendations on new trails to meet the needs of Fort Collins’ expanding population, ensuring equity across the system.
Community Input: During the STP process, staff will utilize a diverse array of communication tactics to engage internal and external stakeholders, including the formation of a community working group to steer the plan’s scope, policy, and proposed action items.
Safety & Accessibility: The STP will review current safety outreach practices and ordinances and provide recommendations to promote a culture of safety among users of the trail system.
Maintenance: The STP will analyze existing trail conditions, consolidate current and new maintenance concerns, and assign priorities to improvements needed.
Design and Construction Standards: The STP will review existing design standards and provide recommendations to ensure trail design standards and associated amenities are contemporary, relevant, and meet the future needs of Fort Collins’ growing population.
Development Review: The STP will provide recommendations for Land Use Code updates relative to new developments and provide recommendations on requirements for trail easement, cost shares, construction, maintenance, and trail connections.
Irrigation Ditch Compatibility: The STP will evaluate the feasibility of installing trails on, along, or across irrigation ditches.
Funding: The STP will review and summarize existing trail funding strategies and identify new funding opportunities to potentially accelerate the growth of trail construction.
Share StoryMap on FacebookShare StoryMap on TwitterShare StoryMap on LinkedinEmail StoryMap link
Want to learn more about the history of the paved trail system in Fort Collins? Visit our StoryMap to journey through the development of the City's recreational trail system.
Note: This StoryMap was created by the Geospatial Centroid at Colorado State University, in partnership with staff from Park Planning & Development.
Page last updated: 19 Jul 2024, 10:41 AM
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Project Timeline
Spring 2024
Strategic Trails Plan has finished this stage
Strategic Trails Plan project kicks off. Informational materials and outreach opportunities will be available for the public. Public engagement meetings will be shared online and promoted throughout the community.
Public Event: Open House Details: April 15, 5 - 7 p.m. at Northside Aztlan Community Center
Summer 2024
Strategic Trails Plan is currently at this stage
Staff will listen and gather feedback through public engagement opportunities, public meetings and focus groups throughout the summer. Outreach will be targeted around a trails needs assessment and visioning for the future.
September 2024
this is an upcoming stage for Strategic Trails Plan
Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit! This regional event will offer the public opportunity to discuss current and future trail projects that will foster the growth of trail connectivity between communities in Northern Colorado.
Public Event: Northern Colorado Trails Summit Details: September 26, 4:30 - 8 p.m., Agave Room at Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant RSVP and schedule coming soon!
Fall 2024
this is an upcoming stage for Strategic Trails Plan
Phase II of public outreach will begin with more opportunities for comment and input around goals, big ideas, and specific recommendations for the Strategic Trails Plan. Information collected up to this point via engagement and online questionnaires will help inform the upcoming draft plan.
Winter 2024 - Spring 2025
this is an upcoming stage for Strategic Trails Plan
Phase III of public outreach will include opportunity for the community to review and comment on the drafted Strategic Trails Plan documents. Comments will be collected and incorporated into the final plan before being presented to City Council for adoption.
The Park Planning & Development team is updating the City's Strategic Trails Plan (STP), which will provide a framework for the future planning, design, maintenance, and preservation of the recreational paved trail system. 
Using data gathered from the first round of engagement, and the interactive map, there is a new version of the map that can be viewed and commented on. Conceptual routes have been identified through engagement feedback, as well as a full consideration and assessment of physical constraints within the built and natural environment.
