Pashek Associates Helps Borough Fund Trail Bridge

In 2012, the Marcellus Legacy Fund was created to distribute some of the shale impact fees resulting from Act 13.  The first grant round of the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Programs was established last spring with proposals due on July 31, 2013.  These grants are limited to a maximum of $250,000 and usually require a 50% match by the local community (for communities of less than 5000 people, a 20% match is required).

Pashek Associates helped the Borough of Fox Chapel submit an application for a trail extension along Squaw Run, a steeply sloped, wooded valley running between Fox Chapel Road and Dorseyville Road.  The stream winds down the valley and connects five municipal parks.  The Borough received a grant of $60,000 matched by public works in-kind services and purchases of materials and engineering services.  The Borough hopes to construct a bike/ped bridge adjacent to the road bridge near Hunt Road to allow safe trail access to the Trillium Trail, Riding Meadow Park and eventually the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Beechwood Farms nature center.  This new trail extends walking opportunities from the Allegheny River in O’Hara Township into Fox Chapel.

Chautauqua County Greenway Plan Receives Planning Excellence Award

The New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association (NYUAPA) is pleased to announce that the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan has been awarded the 2013 Planning Excellence Award for Comprehensive Planning.  The 2013 NYUAPA Chapter Awards recognize outstanding work being done by planners, planning firms, elected officials, and citizens to advance the science and art of urban and regional planning in upstate New York. The award was presented at the NYUAPA’s annual conference in Schenectady. Chautauqua County received this same award for its Comprehensive Plan: Chautauqua 20/20 in 2011.

The Planning Excellence Award in Comprehensive Planning recognizes plans that advance the science and art of planning. Winning projects are distinguished for originality and innovation, quality, thoroughness, degree of public participation, and identified steps to put the plan into action.

Summary of the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan and why it is Special

Chautauqua County’s rich system of four season greenways positively impacts the economies of our communities. The recommendations proposed in the Greenway Plan, which was a top recommendation in Chautauqua 20/20, creates a new enthusiasm for active living and healthy lifestyles; promotes outdoor activities; improves our quality of life within Chautauqua County; acts as a catalyst for economic development related to outdoor living; and establishes Chautauqua County as a destination center for outdoor adventure and lifelong learning opportunities.

This plan defines steps for the community to take to:

• Formalize and maintain the rural outdoor lifestyle;
• Fulfill the desire to be a four season destination for active outdoor living; and,
• Capitalize on the positive economic impact that can be realized through providing goods and services that visitors to Chautauqua County desire.

One of the many objectives of the Chautauqua County Greenway Plan was to develop a unique, concise, easy-to-read, high quality plan developed within the constraints of a limited budget. The Project Team, comprised of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Economic Development, Pashek Associates, and other key stakeholders, strove to not overburden the document with superfluous information and facts. The crux of the plan is 162 pages in length, and the team produced an attractive Executive Summary that is only 12 pages in length (available upon request). The supporting documentation is available on a CD and on the department website so that the plan can be reproduced at a reasonable cost. The plan integrates a unique style, is enhanced with colorful pictures taken locally, and incorporates modest graphics to convey its message. 

Besides identifying and proposing the development of recreational greenways using existing Rights-of Way and natural corridors, the Plan also identifies towns based on their potential to provide amenities to trail users. These "Trail Towns" are ranked based on their ability to provide the goods and services needed by Trail Users. The project team felt it was essential to identify ten (10) demonstration projects that are to be the first projects pursued in the coming years (several are currently being implemented). Enough description about each project is provided so that it can be discussed and considered for implementation. 

The Chautauqua County Greenway Plan also utilizes a unique methodology for defining its natural systems greenways by using natural, ecological and hydrologic infrastructure as building blocks for determining high-value natural areas, and allows these special areas to be ranked.  This information will help guide decision-makers towards or away from potential projects based on the sensitivity of natural areas where they are being proposed.

Pennsylvania Trail Design and Development Principles

Until now guidelines for non-motorized trail planning, design, construction, and management were located in a multitude of publications. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive source of information, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources hired Pashek Associates to write guidelines for the design and development of all non-motorized trails.

In Pennsylvania Trail Design & Development Principles: Guidelines for Sustainable, Non-motorized Trails, written by John Buerkle of Pashek Associates, you will find a compilation of best practices and guidelines for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of your trail. Equally important, it presents techniques for developing trails that are environmentally, physically, and economically sustainable, as well as techniques to create desirable and enjoyable trail experiences.

This comprehensive reference provides trail advocates, agencies, organizations, local and regional officials, and decision-makers with the basic knowledge required to understand any trail project they are about to undertake.

The Guidelines are presented in five chapters:

• Chapter 1: Planning
• Chapter 2: User Characteristics & Design Requirements for Non-Motorized Trails
• Chapter 3: Design Requirements for Sustainable Trails
• Chapter 4: Construction
• Chapter 5: Management

Click here to download a copy of the manual for free.  We trust you will find these guidelines valuable as you embark on your next trail project!

Site Accessibility: Trying to Follow Conflicting Regulations

Testing the firm, stable, and slip resistance of a paving surface

Some of the most interesting work we do in site development is making sure that the entire site is accessible to those that have physical or mental challenges.  With the Baby boomers entering their 60’s, this rapidly growing population needs to have full access to our sites.

We have run up against conflicting rules and regulations and navigating those sometime conflicting requirements is difficult.  Add in a challenging topography in this part of the country and we find ourselves trying to accommodate everyone without compromising the overall project goals.

On a recent project in central Pennsylvania, we found it almost impossible to meet the Township’s requirements for pedestrian access from the public right of way, regardless of the grade and the International Building Code requiring an accessible route from the “public way.”  Further, the interrelationship between the IBC, 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, and proposed Outdoor Developed Area Guidelines can be very difficult to interpret.  In this instance, the Federal guidelines for ADA were very reasonable and provided for instances when an accessible route up a very steep grade is simply not feasible without negatively altering the natural area of the site.

As new rules and regulations become law, we must be vigilant to incorporate those requirements in our design of sites.  This week, many of us at Pashek Associates attended a webinar on accessibility and plan to continue this dialogue.  We look forward to applying what we have learned on the next site development project.

Turning Trail Ideas into Reality

The Pennsylvania Township News recently asked several experts and township officials about their experiences in trail planning.  John Buerkle, who heads our Parks and Recreation Studio, offered some of his advice.  To read the article, click here.

Making Connections... The Forks of the Ohio Regional Trails Symposium

This past Friday John Buerkle and Mike Kotyk attended this symposium which focused on advancing trail planning and development efforts in the Power of 32 region (www.powerof32.org), which includes PA, OH, WV, and Maryland.  The Symposium gave John and Mike an opportunity to rekindle relationships with former clients and friends, as well as participate in “Setting the Regional Trail Agenda”.

The Symposium brought together the “who’s who of trail development” within the four-state area.  It was a great opportunity for veterans to discuss how to expand the trails into a regional network and to tackle those difficult challenges.  It also was an excellent opportunity for new trail advocates to garner knowledge and support from those who “have been there and done that”. 

Dr. Vincent Troia, Ohio River Trail Council, discussing the ORTC’s new water trail map and guide with attendees.

Mike enjoyed the opportunity to network as well as gain new knowledge related to asset based community development and economic impacts from trail development, as well as learning more about the development of the regional trail planning tool.

During the symposium, it became evident that the geographic area of the Power of 32 should include more counties as there are other opportunities to expand the regional trail network.  Presenters frequently referenced the Power of 32, 48, 64, or Power of 32x2. 

John and Mike were happy to share their thoughts on bringing Chautauqua County, NY into the fold.  They are working on a trail feasibility study to connect Chautauqua Institution to Barcelona Harbor on Lake Erie.  The trail will eventually connect to the northern segment of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail (www.eriepittsburghtrail.org). This effort is being undertaken through the Westfield Development Corporation (www.westfieldny.com) and the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development (http://www.planningchautauqua.com) with the assistance of Pashek Associates.

Our current and past clients, as well as friends in trail community, present at the symposium included:

• Ohio River Trail Council - www.ohiorivertrail.org
• Allegheny Valley Trails Association - www.avta-trails.org
• Allegheny Valley Land Trust - www.armstrongtrail.org
• Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority - www.co.cambria.pa.us/conservation-and-recreation.aspx
• Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy - www.rachelcarsontrails.org
• Pittsburgh Trails Advocacy Group - www.ptagtrails.org
• Allegheny County Parks Foundation - www.acparksfoundation.org
• Montour Trail Council - www.montourtrail.org
• Erie to Pittsburgh Trail Alliance - www.eriepittsburghtrail.org
• Oil Region Alliance - www.oilregion.org
• Clarion County Trails Association - www.clariontrails.com
• Ohio Valley Trail Partners – www.ohiovalleytrailpartners.org
• National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program - www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/index.htm
• Rails to Trails Conservancy - www.railstotrails.org
•       Pennsylvania Environmental Council - www.pecpa.org