Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan

SEPARATED LANES

MULTI-USE PAVED TRAILS A multi-use trail system connecting the parks is one of the top community priorities. Developing this trail system in fully developed suburban environments will have some challenges but to maximize the trail’s use and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, it should be physically separated from the roadway traffic. New development areas should prioritize this type of trail over others to connect to parks and destinations. ON-ROAD BIKEWAYS In areas where this isn’t possible, the lane should be separated with striping, curbing, signage, and/or other physical dividers that distinctly separate the automobile and bike traffic lanes. A combination of these strategies, in addition to on-road bike lane strategies, will likely be needed to create a comprehensive system. However, there is significant data highlighting not only the safety of separated trails, but also a dramatic increase in usage compared to on-street striped trails. NATURAL SURFACE TRAILS These trails are informal, generally not ADA accessible, and allow a more intimate experience with nature. Surfacing can be native ground, wood chips, loose gravel, or a combination of natural surfaces. These trails are generally utilized by pedestrians but can accommodate specialized bike uses (e.g. mountain bikes).

Separated by landscape beds

Fully separated by boulevard

system vision

Barrier separation

Green lanes (and landscape separation)

112 SHAKOPEE PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN | SYSTEM VISION