The Big Sioux trail loop was developed several decades ago to control flooding, but Sioux Falls continues to invest in the trail to connect inter-urban areas. This study includes planning and design processes, appropriate infrastructure, costs, timing, potential obstacles, design standards, implementation policies and funding. It is an aesthetically pleasing plan that presents several options for the trail with maps and graphics to complement it.
The core of this plan is evaluating trail alternatives and identifying a most feasible concept for eventual implementation. Therefore, the factors selected to evaluate alternatives are extremely important and reflect the values and perspectives of the trail development program. Because these criteria reflect different objectives, they are not consistent with each other: an option that may rank high on one objective may have a low rating for another. For example, one alternative may offer a superior trail user experience, but might involve acquisition of private property over the objection of property owners. The result is that the trail project, while desirable from one perspective, would probably never be accomplished. In the case of trail development, the most feasible alternative often represents the best balance of different attributes.
Published January 2011
Alta is more than a planning and design firm – our 200 expert planners, engineers, designers and encouragement specialists are on hand for each and every aspect of the work needed to help you create your active community.
County of Los Angeles Trails Manual
The purpose of this Trails Manual is to provide an accessible resource that can be used for trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance within the County of Los Angeles
Market Research: Equity of Access to Trails
This study has been conducted in response to the imperative offered by the JEDI Task Force.
Fort River Birding and Nature Trail
The Fort River Birding and Nature Trail is a universally accessible trail. It was presented with the 2014 Paul Winske Access Award by the Stavros Center for Independent Living.
For trails to be considered “sustainable” they must meet these recreational needs while providing adequate protection to the environment while minimizing trail maintenance.
