âWhy off-road trails?â 1. Consistent with recommendations within our master plan (MP). Capitalizes on growing intere
Brandermill Off-Road Trails Proposal PREPARED BY THOMAS FLYNN APRIL 2013
“Why off-road trails?” 1
Consistent with recommendations within our
master plan (MP) Capitalizes on growing interest in off-road cycling and running in the Richmond region “Trails help humans make sense of a world increasingly dominated by automobiles and pavement”
Pocahontas State Park – Chesterfield, VA
Evolution of the off-road trails proposal 2
According to our MP, there are: Few opportunities to explore our natural resources No natural trail surfaces for cycling or running MP identified Millcrest Park area as a potential site Multiple site visits and field surveys revealed: Concerns
related to proximity of county land Site is relatively isolated from Brandermill Parking issues – residential area Significant engineering needs related to wetland issues
Millcrest Park field survey
Solution alternatives – Nuttree & Sunday Parks 3
Nuttree Park – Listed on MP as an area of interest for innovative
development
Strengths – Multiple access points; areas suitable for parking Weaknesses – Lacks elevation changes; potential riparian protection constraints; will require significant capital outlay to address erosion protection
Sunday Park – A hub of community activity Strengths – Suitable, developed parking; unique elevation characteristics; scenic viewpoints; other park amenities Weaknesses – Erosion control related to reservoir; high-traffic, high-visibility area in community Harbour Pointe Strengths – Relative isolation of area; few adjacent private property owners Weaknesses – Lacks elevation changes; few areas for parking; cannot be accessed by majority of residents without travelling Hull Street via auto All potential sites, like most community amenities, carry risks for
non-member access issues
Environmental impact & remediation plans 4
“Well-designed trails take advantage of natural land
features” Long-term sustainability relies on using evidencebased trail-building techniques Trails would be designed with input from county experts and according to industry guidelines Over-arching goal: Provide a range of trail experiences for users Riding bikes in the woods… Powhite Park
Engaging the community’s stakeholders 5
Success depends on developing good relationships
with key stakeholders Those vested in improving the community’s physical environment and access to natural resources Avert multi-user conflicts through collaborative decision-making Identify volunteer partnership opportunities with communitybased organizations Nuttree Park field survey
Next steps 6
Conceptual review & endorsement by Parks,
Amenities, & Recreation Committee (PARC) Informal discussions with community stakeholders Formal proposal to MPOC, approvals through appropriate BCA channels Formal community engagement activities Guidance from & collaboration with Chesterfield County parks & recreation resources Detailed project plan (2013) & budget development for BCA FY2014
