| |
Urban
Trails Committee
The
Urban Trails Committee is working with the city, Skagit County,
and the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance Program (RTCA) to explore opportunities for public access
on the Skagit River levees. For a number of years, many residents
have recognized that the physical infrastructure and placement of
the dikes are an ideal site for walking, biking, and other recreation.
Many of the levees are on private property, so public access has
raised concerns for a number of the property owners. RTCA is working
with committee members and the city to conduct a community process
to bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss the use of the
Skagit River levees for public use. The results will determine whether
to develop a strategic plan for creating a nine-mile Skagit River
trail in Mount Vernon. As part of this process the committee
created a prioritized list of pathways and connections for the city,
which include trails and sidewalks in Mount Vernon. The committee
is involved with the Mount Vernon Comprehensive
Plan update.
Trail Signage Policy
The Urban Trail Committee in partnership with the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department developed the Mount Vernon Trail Signage Policy which was adopted by the Mount Vernon City Council at their September 15, 2005 meeting. Following adoption of the policy a Trail Signage Master Plan and budget was developed.
Adopt-a-Trail
The Urban Trail Committee in partnership with the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department developed the Mount Vernon Adopt-a-Trail Program, which was adopted by the Mount Vernon City Council at their September 15, 2005 meeting. The purpose of the program is to recruit community members, groups and organizations to adopt sections of trail which they will patrol quarterly for litter and maintenance, enhance trail safety and promote trail use.
Active
Community Environments:
Members
of the Mount Vernon Healthy Communities Project are actively involved
in a Non-Motorized Citizen’s Advisory Group that advises
the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) and the
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The committee provides
guidance to the RTPO/MPO and their members on policy change and
prioritization and allocation of funds for sidewalks, trails,
biker lanes, and other non-motorized facilities. The committee conducted Active Community Environment assessments in Mount
Vernon, Anacortes and Burlington and plans to complete assessments
for Sedro Woolley and LaConner later this year. Assessment findings
are shared with each city in meetings between mayors, planners
and committee members to identify how the Non Motorized Committee
can support them in making changes that have been recommended.
|
|
