The document summarizes a presentation by the Heritage Trail Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) regarding their analysis and recommendations for improving the Heritage Trail in Dubuque County, Iowa. The CPAT conducted a site visit and stakeholder interviews to develop a plan. Their recommendations focused on enhancing the trail's identity and wayfinding system, expanding compatible uses and improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity to surrounding communities.
1. Heritage Trail Community Planning Assistance Team
Heritage Trail – Dubuque County, IA
Final Presentation
City of Dubuque, Iowa
October 20th, 2012
2. American Planning Association
Independent, Not-for-profit, Educational Organization
43,000+ members
60% = state and local gov’t employees
40% = elected officials, private consultants, academia, & fields related to planning/community change
15,000+ AICP members (certified planners)
Chapters representing every state
Members in 85 countries
APA Mission: APA provides leadership in the development of vital communities by advocating excellence in community planning, promoting education and citizen empowerment, and providing the tools and support necessary to meet the challenges of growth and change.
3. Community Planning Assistance Teams (CPAT)
Part of APA’s Community Assistance Program
Pro bono program
CPATs since 1995
Assist communities lacking planning resources
The CPAT program provides an independent, professional, third- party planning analysis and suggested planning approach.
4. CPAT Process
Application selection
Select team leader
Team leader visit
Team member selection
Briefing book
Plan visit/logistics/
stakeholder interview schedule/
community engagement
Team visit (3 to 5 days)
Final report
5. Sponsor: Dubuque Smart Planning Consortium
Agencies:
Dubuque County | City of Dubuque | City of Asbury | City of Cascade
City of Dyersville | City of Epworth | City of Farley
City of Peosta | Dubuque Soil & Water Conservation District
Special thanks to: Dubuque Conservation Board
& their Staff
6. The Heritage Trail CPAT
Paula Reeves, AICP CTP
Jean Akers, AICP
Jason Epley, AICP
Steve Lane, AICP
Olympia, WA
Vancouver, WA
Kannapolis, NC
Cincinnati, OH
20. Identity: the physical trail
What is it? Where is it? What is it like? How long is it? What’s there to do? What will I see? Is it hard to use? Is it safe? …etc…
Where’s the restroom?!!!
21. Developing a signage system
Establish a “visual character”
What is the Heritage Trail?
Identity: the physical trail
22. Levels of information
Developing a wayfinding system:
(signs, maps, printed, digital and online materials)
•describe the physical trail,
•help navigation, and
•manage expectations for trail experiences
Identity: the physical trail
23. Developing a signage system
Establish the sign hierarchy
How much is needed?
Identity: the physical trail
24. Sign System Considerations
Identity: the physical trail
Identify Base Information: Trail Name
Determine Sign Locations
Develop Messages: Trailhead, Access, Directional, Mileage
26. Sign System Considerations
Identity: the physical trail
Directions: Where to go?
Navigation information
Sign Types
27. Directions: Where to go? Navigation information Sign Types for Trailheads & Access
Identity: the physical trail
28. Location: Where am I?
Orientation Information
Identity: the physical trail
29. Location: Where am I?
Identity:
the physical trail
Orientation information
30. Connections Where else to go? Supportive information
Identity: the physical trail
Nearby attractions
31. Expanding Trail Use Who are the current users? How to spread the word?
Identity: spreading the word
32. Expanding Trail Use/Users
How to share the story?
Marketing information
Identity: spreading the word
33.
Trail Fee Program – asset or liability?
Trail Count Program
Trail “Membership”
Expanding Trail Use
Trail Advocacy: “Friends”, Coalition, Non-profit…
34. Restrooms
Parking
Drinking Water
Camping
Fishing
Other recreational facilities
Expanding Trail Use: Long Term
Physical Improvements
Programmatic Improvements
History Culture Natural Environment
35. Connecting to Your Heritage
Leverage and educate people about the natural and cultural setting and your communities
36. Highlighting Assets
•
Geology
•
History
•
Natural - Uplands
•
Natural – Streams/Wetlands
•
Community
37. Geology
•
Coulee Region (Driftless Area)
•
Limestone Bluffs
•
Split Rock
•
Fossils
38. History
•
Native American
•
Railroad
•
Infrastructure
•
Farming (Past/Future)
39. Natural - Uplands
•
Prairie Remnants
•
Oak-Hickory Forest
•
Adjacent Land Uses
•
Species of Concern
•
Bald Eagle
•
Prairie Dock
•
Blazing Star
•
Leonard's Skippers
42. Regional Assets
•
Develop Watershed Management
•
Promote Sustainability
•
Utilize native species
•
Ensure compatible land use(s)
43. Compatible Land Use
•
Land Uses adjacent to the trail
Primarily rural agriculture
Single Family Residential (associated with large farms)
Commercial
Light Industrial
•
Compatibility Issues
Types of uses, intensity and density
Hazardous materials storage
Commercial (at key intersections – trailheads)
Light Industrial
44. •
Interpretive areas (“Historic Classroom”)
•
Tell the story - Naturalists (volunteer/paid)
•
Plant identification/labels
•
Educational Opportunities
•
Opportunities for camping
•
Responsible native seed harvesting
Trail Assets
46. The Trail: Everybody’s Friend
Making the trail more accessible and user friendly
Safety
Parking
Lighting
Emergency Management
Connectivity
Opportunities
50. Parking
Need for new and improved parking areas
Parking on roadway shoulders creates safety concerns
Construct as context sensitive and low impact
51. Lighting
Adequate lighting helps improve safety and security
Increased need in more urban areas
Careful placement in rural areas of trail to avoid disrupting the natural setting For example:
o
Lighting at key intersections to improve safety
Low Cost Solar lighting possible in rural areas
55. Connect the Trail
Increase connectivity to Cities/Towns
Identify unique destinations in each town
History / Unique Attractions
Field of Dreams / “Go the Distance”
Downtown / Local Business
Agritourism
56. Connect the Trail
Small Business Development
Trail User Related Businesses
o
Rental Facilities (Bikes, kayaks, canoes)
o
Drinks, water, food
Retail Goods and Services near trailheads
57. Opportunities
Potential improvements
Water (for Drinking)
Additional Benches, Trash Receptacles
Restroom Facilities
Interpretive Areas / Educational Opportunities
Additional Signage (as part of a coordinated plan)
Joint Facilities / Partnerships
Youth Bicycle Safety Education
58. Opportunities
Highlight existing destinations along the trail
Fossils
Split Rock
Phoenix Truss Bridge - 1872
Stone Drainage Arches
59. Opportunities
Potential destinations along the trail
Side hiking paths adjacent to main trail
Camping
Rock Climbing
Kayaking/Canoeing
Sundown / Connection to Trail