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Everett Parks and Recreation Parks <br />Trails —Paved and Non -Paved <br />Description: Trails have several purposes including <br />recreation, fitness, commuting, and access to view points or <br />points of interest. Everett Parks has developed two general <br />type of categories for trails, paved and non -paved. These two <br />types of trails can be further defined by the predominant <br />activity that takes place, such as hiking and biking. <br />The city-wide trail system includes bike trails on roads and <br />proposed areas as shown in the City's Shoreline Public <br />Access Plan. This system includes bicycle trails, nature and <br />shoreline walking trails, jogging and fitness trails. At this time <br />Everett parks does not have a mountain biking trail but future <br />developments may consider including areas for this activity if <br />community interest increases. <br />The Strategic Plan identified development of trails as a <br />community priority not being met by current facilities. <br />(SMP 1.6.1.2 Strategies) Develop trails and greenways <br />in the City to connect the community to parks, <br />waterways and other attractions in the City that allow <br />residents to move freely without traffic interference <br />Accessible trails are trails that are accessible to and usable by <br />people with disabilities. Accessible trails are identified as <br />meeting minimum guidelines established by the U.S. Access <br />Board. The Access Board is the federal agency responsible for <br />creating guidelines and Park trails standards for accessible <br />environments. <br />2. Preserve experience <br />3. Provide for equality of opportunity <br />4. Maximize accessibility <br />5. Be reasonable <br />6. Address safety <br />7. Be clear, simple and understandable <br />8. Provide guidance <br />9. Be enforceable and measurable <br />Hiking trails often can be made accessible to persons with <br />physical disabilities if the needs of the disabled persons are <br />taken into consideration before designing the trail. Their <br />outdoor expectations differ little from other trail users. When <br />designing the trail, work closely with potential future users and <br />local groups representing persons with disabilities. Encourage <br />input from persons with a variety of disabilities, including sight, <br />hearing, mental, heart or lung disease, and ambulatory <br />limitations. <br />Loop trails with cutoffs are desirable. Although trail lengths of <br />less than 3/4 mile often are provided, a variety of trail lengths <br />are needed to accommodate different abilities and <br />expectations. Identify routes with a variety of different sights, <br />sounds, odors, and objects. Trails should follow a logical <br />sequence to prevent the user's loss of direction. <br />Place a trail information sign at the entrance. Mount it within <br />easy reach of the trail at a height of 30 to 40 inches. Use <br />raised or routed letters to inform users about the length and <br />difficulty of the trail and the locations of rest stops, cutoffs, and <br />potential hazards. <br />Trails should be free of debris and cleared to a width and <br />The access board recommends the following be evaluated as height of 8 feet. Trails with one-way traffic should be at least 3 <br />trails are planned: feet wide; 5 feet on two-way traffic trails. For wheelchairs, <br />blacktop is almost a necessity for the trail but crushed rock <br />1. Protect resource and environment that has been rolled and compacted also may be used. <br />36 Everett Parks and Recreation <br />00 <br />r- <br />