The second online survey portion of the study received 662 responses from community members. In the closing survey, participants were asked to rank six categories of project improvement categories related to Trail safety and mobility issues. Trail width and surface conditions emerged as the top two areas of concern.  

·       Trail Width. During the study, Trail width was consistently raised as an issue through online mapping and focus groups. It was the issue with the most interest in solving in the Fall 2020 story map engagement. Obstacles or narrow sections along the Trail create pinch points that can cause conflicts between people walking or biking. Conflicts may also arise when there are many people using wider parts of the trail due to overcrowding or speed differences between people walking and bicycling. However, in areas where people are using the trail as part of a longer ride, widening may lead to higher and more dangerous speeds. Additionally, widening the trail may only be an option in some locations due to adjacent barriers, the likelihood of erosion, and/or ecological factors.

·       Surface Conditions. Rapidly increased use of the Trail has strained maintenance resources. This has led to erosion, exposing tree roots and creating sharp edges along the Trail, among other challenges. Systematic and programmed trail maintenance projects will prevent erosion and slippery conditions from becoming a safety or environmental risk. 

·       Potential Safety and Mobility Projects. Potential project locations were identified through a combination of daytime and nighttime field review, existing and future conditions analysis compared to trail safety and access best practice, and public and stakeholder input.

·       Concepts for the Southeast Quadrant. Formalizing Trailhead Connections at Pleasant Valley & Lakeshore Boulevard