2040 Comprehensive Plan: Envision Shakopee

PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE WAYFINDING The existing walking and bicycling infrastructure in Shakopee has come into place on a piecemeal basis as the roadway network has been constructed in support of development. While most of the community’s thoroughfares are lined by sidewalks and trails, limited safe crossing opportunities complicate navigation of this network. Participants in the public involvement process identified a need for wayfinding signs to make it easier to use existing sidewalks and trails to access parks, schools and other destinations via the most efficient and safe routes. Participants raised the possibility of developing trail wayfinding and branding in partnership with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, whose trail network is contiguous with many trails in Shakopee. Scott County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources should also be involved in these efforts. WALKING ENVIRONMENT Shakopee is a suburb characterized by cul-de-sacs and large residential subdivisions that may not be well connected for pedestrians. Despite Shakopee’s suburban layout, walking plays an important role in the health and livability of the community and residents value the goal of providing safe pedestrian access to schools, parks and other civic resources. Safe crossing opportunities across Shakopee’s multilane thoroughfares tend to be few and far between. Residents engaged in the outreach process highlighted several schools, many on county highways, that are lacking pedestrian access routes suitable for children. Inadequate opportunities to cross busy streets adjacent to the schools is a significant obstacle.

ADA TRANSITION PLAN Throughout Shakopee, many pedestrian and trail crossings do not have sidewalk ramps built to current accessibility standards. Access to the health, recreation and mobility benefits of walking are particularly important for children and older adults. As a result, pedestrian access routes should be safe and usable for people of all ages and abilities. Recognizing the need for improved accessibility for all, Shakopee, in June 2018 adopted the ADA Transition Plan to guide the improvement of existing sidewalk facilities and standardize new ones. Below is a summary of recommendations of the plan with respect to improving pedestrian facilities. New Construction: » » All new construction projects with pedestrian facilities will be designed and constructed to conform with the most current ADA design practices to the extent feasible. Reconstruction Areas: » » All city reconstruction projects (including mill and overlay projects) will be designed and constructed in accordance with the most current ADA design practices to the extent feasible. Rehabilitation/Resurfacing Projects: » » Curb replacement projects will be evaluated for ADA improvements. If the curb replacement is at an existing or proposed pedestrian ramp location it will be designed and constructed to conform with the most current ADA design practices to the extent feasible. » » Sidewalk panel replacement will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

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» » Rehabilitation/resurfacing projects that only include the following will not include ADA upgrades: crack sealing, concrete joint sealing, concrete surface grinding/planing

ENVISION SHAKOPEE | SECTION IV: BUILT ENVIRONMENT