Strategic Trails Plan

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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 challenges and opportunities 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.


GET INVOLVED IN THE STP

  • Attend the upcoming Northern Colorado Trails Summit!
    The City of Fort Collins is hosting a regional trails summit on September 26, 2024. This free, interactive event will convene Northern Colorado trail development agencies, partners, advocates, user groups, and supporters in celebration of the City’s forthcoming Strategic Trails Plan, and the exceptional paved trail system that our communities enjoy. Learn more and RSVP.
  • Review 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. 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. Commenting on the map is now closed.

  • 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.

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.


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 challenges and opportunities 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.


GET INVOLVED IN THE STP

  • Attend the upcoming Northern Colorado Trails Summit!
    The City of Fort Collins is hosting a regional trails summit on September 26, 2024. This free, interactive event will convene Northern Colorado trail development agencies, partners, advocates, user groups, and supporters in celebration of the City’s forthcoming Strategic Trails Plan, and the exceptional paved trail system that our communities enjoy. Learn more and RSVP.
  • Review 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. 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. Commenting on the map is now closed.

  • 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.

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.


  • You’re Invited: Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit!

    Share You’re Invited: Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit! on Facebook Share You’re Invited: Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit! on Twitter Share You’re Invited: Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit! on Linkedin Email You’re Invited: Attend the Northern Colorado Trails Summit! link

    The City of Fort Collins is hosting a free regional trails summit on September 26, 2024 to convene Northern Colorado trail development agencies, partners, advocates, user groups, and supporters in celebration of the City’s forthcoming Strategic Trails Plan and the exceptional paved trail system that our communities enjoy.

    We will reflect on the history of trail development in the region and look to the future of paved trails through presentations from regional speakers, including:

    • Chris Yuan-Farrell, Director of Programs for Great Outdoors Colorado
    • Beth Bullard, Assistant Director for the Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area
    • Keynote Message: Chuck Flink, author of the Greenway Imperative, and award-winning trail planner and landscape architect.


    The Northern Colorado Trails Summit is a free event, and will also include an exhibition hall featuring local and regional trail projects, organizations, and initiatives. Prior to presentations and keynote address, attendees can visit exhibitors, socialize, and network while enjoying complimentary light appetizers provided by the Rio Grande.

    EVENT DETAILS

    Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024

    Cost: Free to attend. RSVP is required. Click to RSVP

    Schedule:

    • 4:30pm – 6:00pm; Exhibition and Networking
    • 6:00pm – 7:30pm; Regional Presentations and Keynote Speaker
    • 7:30pm – 8:00pm; Networking and Farewell

    Location: The Agave Room at Rio Grande (149 W Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524)

    Space is limited and your attendance is highly valued. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by September 20.

  • Which Wheels Go Where?

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    The City is interested in refining rules about which kinds of micromobility vehicles can go where.

    The term “micromobility” refers to small-wheeled vehicles like bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and other vehicles with a small profile compared to most motor vehicles that can be human powered or have electric motors. With recent battery and technology advances, micromobility options have expanded rapidly and are continuing to change.

    Today people use human- and electric-powered micromobility vehicles to move around the City, and as a result the City is considering updates to the laws that govern these vehicles in order to effectively regulate and enforce their safe use on City facilities. This topic impacts not only trail users, but anyone using a micromobility device to move around Fort Collins.

    TAKE THE QUESTIONNAIRE

    We want to know what you think about different kinds of micromobility devices on sidewalks, paved trails, bike lanes, and streets. Take the questionnaire, get a $5 Spin ride credit, and win a bike, an e-scooter, or a skateboard! Questionnaire closes on September 30, 2024.

    Access the questionnaire here: English | Spanish

  • Focus Areas of the STP

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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.

  • StoryMap

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    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: 12 Sep 2024, 02:13 PM