STRATEGIC PLANNING
The proposed Chapel Hill greenway system potentially encompasses over thirty-eight miles of linear open space. See Figure ???. Within the Stream Corridors and Man-Made Corridors, over twenty-eight miles are suitable for trail development. While providing important pedestrian links within the community, a thorough assessment of Connector Trails is not presented within this Master Plan.
Stream Corridors have been identified and are arranged according to their location within a specific primary stream watershed. Man-made Corridors are identified according to their specific locale or man-made feature along which they are aligned. Recommendations for individual trail segments comprising the greenway system are formatted to provide the following information and commentary:
• Resource Protection
• Potential for Trail Development
• Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
• Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
• Planning Recommendations
For purposes of the following recommendations, all proposed greenways centered on streams are described beginning from the point where the stream enters the Town jurisdiction and continuing downstream. Compass point directions are given with the understanding that despite the many meanders a stream will make, the watercourse will tend to travel in a general direction. For example, Bolin Creek runs more west-to-east than north-to-south. For this reason, descriptions are given with the reference points of north bank and south bank.
The Master Plan recommendations provided for each trail segment offer general planning parameters within which individual trails and plans may be conceived. The recommendations should be used as a basis from which more detailed analysis and design of individual greenways and trails may be prepared. As trails are brought on-line as specific capital projects, the environmental conditions of the corridor, status of surrounding land use, potential for access, location and specific alignment should be revisited and reevaluated at the conceptual design phase of each trail project.
STREAM CORRIDORS
The Bolin Creek Watershed
Bolin Creek begins in south-central Orange County and enters Chapel Hill's jurisdiction near Estes Drive Extension. The creek flows approximately 3.8 miles within the Town limits, until it merges with Booker Creek to form Little Creek.
If the proposed trail system were fully developed along the entire length of the Bolin Creek corridor, it would connect directly to the following existing and proposed trails: Rail Trail, Tanyard Branch, Battle Branch, Booker Creek, and Little Creek. The Bolin Creek Trail would connect indirectly, through the above mentioned greenways, to the following trails: North Trail and Dry Creek.
ΠBOLIN CREEK:
Estes Drive Extension to Village Drive
Bolin Creek enters Chapel Hill near Estes Drive Extension. At the point where the creek crosses under Estes Drive Extension, the land is characterized by steep slopes reaching down from the Estes Drive Extension roadbed. Once on the east side of Estes Drive Extension, the creek flows in a small valley with steep slopes on the south bank and a broad floodplain on the north bank. The steep south bank is forested with mixed hardwoods, but also contains a cleared sewer easement that parallels the creek. Some residential development exists on the north bank.
Potential for Trail Development
This section has
a high potential for development of a natural surface trail, especially
along the south bank. The trail could be important in future connections
to any greenways developed within Carrboro's jurisdiction, should that
municipality pursue a greenways trail program in the future.
Trail
development would be possible on both banks although there would be problems
to overcome with both options. the The north bank although
has existing residential development that could force an early
exit onto Umstead Drive or a bridge across the creek to the south bank require
more than usual mitigation efforts if a trail is located adjacent to
developments. The south bank has areas with steep slopes and an OWASA
interceptor sewer line. The most difficult area for construction of a
trail exists at the west end of this section. The pipe that currently channels
Bolin Creek under Estes Drive Extension is too small to allow human passage. The
Town should explore all future opportunities to locate This plan
recommends that the trail be placed in an underpass at Estes Drive
Extension. Without an underpass, the construction of a trail could involve
difficult grading of steep slopes or require construction of numerous
switchbacks in order to gain access to the current Estes Drive Extension
roadbed. Estes Drive Extension is an NCDOT road. Please see the list
of NCDOT critical intersections of page ???.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should pursue the construction of a Class 3 6 trail.
BOLIN CREEK:
Village Drive to Umstead Park
After passing under Village Drive, Bolin Creek flows in a broad floodplain with considerable development. After a short distance the creek flows through Umstead Park.
Potential for Trail Development
A trail in this area would provide access from Village Drive to the Tanyard Branch Trail and Umstead Park. The trail could provide a safe pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle alternative to Umstead Drive.
The south
bank provides the only suitable location for a trail. Trail development along
the north bank of the creek would be extremely difficult due to existing
residential development. Both
banks could provide a location for a future trail although some difficulties
would be faced with either option. Pre-existing development on the north bank
would require special mitigation efforts. The south bank outlet onto Village Drive would place any trail uphill and out of alignment with any upstream trail
section. This would likely result pedestrian and bicyclists using a portion of Village Drive.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should pursue the construction of a Class 6 trail along the south bank.
Ž BOLIN CREEK:
Umstead Park to Airport Road
The Bolin Creek valley just east of Umstead Park has a broad floodplain for a short distance until it passes under Pritchard Avenue Extension. Just east of Pritchard Avenue Extension, Bolin Creek enters a very narrow valley with extremely steep slopes on both banks. The short but dramatic gorge ends at Airport Road where the creek enters an area of moderate topography. Other than an intensely developed area along the south bank, between Umstead Park and Pritchard Avenue Extension, the slopes of this gorge are too steep to allow extensive development. Umstead Drive occupies the only flat land along the creek.
Potential for Trail Development
This short section of trail has the potential to be the most difficult trail section in Town. Yet it also has the potential to be one of the most useful and aesthetically pleasing trail segments. A trail along this section could enhance Umstead Park and provide for safe pedestrian and bicycle traffic to Umstead Park. The Tanyard Branch Trail would connect directly to the Bolin Creek Trail in Umstead Park.
In 1988, two
public meetings were held with the neighborhood concerning greenway development
along this section of Bolin Creek. Citizens who attended the meetings strongly
supported the concept of a paved bicycle accessible trail from Airport Road to Umstead Park. This section could also be developed as a primitive trail, or
as a mixture of both paved and primitive trails.
The trail in
this area should be located through an engineering study that carefully
analyzes all options in light of FEMA regulations, potential damage to the
environment, proximity to utilities, street crossings, flooding, cost, and
other factors. could be located on either bank within Umstead Park, although if a paved trail is proposed it might be better suited on the north bank
which is less steep and has fewer large trees. Once past the park boundaries
the north bank becomes narrow and quite steep for trail development. A trail
in this area would be difficult to design and construct, although the finished
product would likely be one of the most beautiful and utilitarian sections of
trail in the Town.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Trail development from Umstead Park to Airport Road would be difficult due to existing development and extremely steep slopes.
2. Trail construction along the narrow sections of the stream corridor will become more difficult over time due to rapidly progressing erosion.
3. Feasibility studies have not yet been undertaken to determine the possibility of crossing under the Umstead Drive and Airport Road bridges. These studies will need to investigate the impact and relationships of flooding and trail construction and the regulatory position of the NCDOT on such a proposal.
Recommendations
1. The Town should pursue the construction of a Class 5 or 6 trail.
BOLIN CREEK:
Airport Road to Elizabeth Street
Completed. Paved 10-foot wide asphalt trail designed as a Class 6 trail, .8 miles in length.
Recommendations
1. A sidewalk should be constructed along the east side of Bolinwood Drive from the Bolin Creek Trail to the existing sidewalk on Hillsborough Street. This connection would mitigate current conflicts of pedestrians traveling to the trail with the numerous parked cars along Bolinwood Drive.
2. In the event of future widening or replacement of the Bolinwood Drive Bridge, lanes for safe pedestrian and bicycle travel should be accommodated.
BOLIN CREEK:
Elizabeth Street to Community Center Park
Paved 10-foot wide
asphalt trail designed as a Class 6 trail, .8 miles in length. Construction completion
anticipated completed in July 1998.
Potential for Trail Development
During the planning of this trail segment, it was a Town goal to provide a pedestrian link from the Town Library, Pritchard Park and neighborhoods north of Franklin Street to this portion of the Bolin Creek Trail. A set of stairs joining the trail with the existing sidewalk on Franklin Street was proposed to meet this need. This concept requires a right-of-way encroachment agreement from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). However, because the stairs would not be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the request for an encroachment agreement was denied by the NCDOT. The Greenways Commission still considers this goal to be unmet.
‘ BOLIN CREEK:
Community Center Park to Fordham Boulevard
For 3,000 feet the creek corridor is surrounded by streets, businesses, and homes. Estes Drive is located along the north bank. Residences dominate the south bank. The Community Center Park is also located on the south bank.
Potential for Trail Development
Once past Community Center Park, there are two opportunities for trail development: as a sidewalk along Estes Drive or a Class 6 trail in front of Brookwood and Camelot condominiums. This section ends at Fordham Boulevard which acts as a barrier that may discourage pedestrian and bicycle transportation.
Summary of Constraints for
Potential Trail Development
1. The sidewalk option is constrained by the presence of a number of utility poles and street trees within the desired alignment. The feasibility of this option is diminished by these constraints.
2. The Town currently owns no land between the Community Center and Fordham Boulevard.
3. The grade change between the elevation of the trail and Fordham Boulevard would be difficult to negotiate.
4. The trail would need to be extended northward to the Estes Drive intersection where the existing traffic signal would allow safe crossing of Fordham Boulevard. This extension might require a bridge over Bolin Creek.
Summary of Factors Favorable for
Potential Trail Development
1. A trail located on the south bank could follow the existing sewer easement.
Recommendations
1. The Town should explore the possibility of continuing the Bolin Creek Trail as a Class 6 trail along the south bank.
’ BOLIN CREEK:
Once Bolin Creek
passes under Franklin Street, the character of the stream banks change from the
narrow valleys of the upper stretches, to a very broad floodplain with little
topographical relief. As the creek flows under Fordham Boulevard, it enters an
area subject to fewer human intrusions. The surroundings become either park like
or low density residential. The creek flows along the Rainbow Soccer fields
and then continues a short distance downstream where it joins with Booker Creek
to form Little Creek. Fifty-two Over 60 acres of Town-owned open
space is located at this juncture.
Potential for Trail Development
Development of a trail along this portion of Bolin Creek is possible although much of this area is prone to flooding. Trails in this area would likely require either extensive boardwalk sections or raised trail beds.
Recommendations
1. The Town should
build a Class 6 3 trail
with boardwalk sections.
2. Fordham Boulevard should be improved with an underpass and/or a pedestrian refuge in order to allow safer pedestrian and bicycle transportation across this busy NCDOT road. Please see the list of NCDOT critical intersections on page ???.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. This area is generally low-lying and exhibits poorly drained soils.
2. It is likely that there are extensive wetlands in this greenway segment.
3. At least two bridge crossings would be required in addition to extensive boardwalk sections over wet areas.
4. Fordham Boulevard is a major barrier to pedestrian and bicycle use.
For the next section downstream, see Little Creek, page ???????.
Tributaries of Bolin Creek
TANYARD BRANCH TRAIL
Completed, Class 3 natural surface trail, nearly one-half mile in length, connecting Caldwell Street and Umstead Park. See Figure ??????.
Potential Improvements to the Existing Trail
The trail has a number of highly eroded areas that should be corrected. See the section relation to capital renovations, page????.
Potential for Additional Trail Development
Although this trail has been existence for years, recent land acquisition has created the potential to upgrade a portion of the trail as an extension of the future Bolin Creek Trail. This possible expansion would allow a connection to Carrboro and Chapel Hill’s Northside neighborhood in the vicinity of Bynum and Broad Streets. A class 6 trail could be extended from Umstead Park about half way up the existing Tanyard Branch Trail. A new trail could then be extended to the area of Bynum and Broad Streets while the existing class 3 Tanyard Branch Trail could remain as it currently exists.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. The land that would allow the extension is steeper than would be ideal.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. A trail could provide a direct bicycle and pedestrian connection from the Bolin Creek Trail to the Northside neighborhood.
Recommendations
1. The Town should explore the possibility of continuing the Bolin Creek Trail as a Class 6 trail along a potion of the Tanyard Branch Trail to the Northside neighborhood.
BATTLE BRANCH TRAIL
Completed, Class 3 natural surface trail with some boardwalk and a paved sidewalk connection. The Battle Branch Trail totals 1.5 mile in length and connects Battle Park with the Chapel Hill Community Center. See Figure ?????.
Potential Improvements to the Existing Trail
The existing trail has a number of highly eroded areas that should be corrected. In addition, most of the trail’s bridges and boardwalk section should be replaced soon. See the section relation to capital renovations, page????.
Potential for Trail Upgrade
The Battle Branch Trail is one of the Town’s oldest trails. Recent discussion has dealt with the possibility of upgrading the trail to a Class 6 facility. This would allow a direct bicycle/pedestrian connection to the UNC campus from the Bolin Creek Trail and the east side of Town. A class 6 trail could be extended from Community Center Park to the UNC campus in the vicinity of Forest Theater.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. The major issue identified at public forums relates to some of the public’s view that Battle Park is a special natural area that should be protected. The opinion expressed by a majority of neighbors at a public forum and at several subsequent Greenways Commission meetings was that an improved trail would be out of character with the natural character of Battle Park and that the increase in use would further damage the area.
2. Any improvement would require cooperation by the university. UNC owns half of the corridor and would have to agree to any change in trail classification. At this time we do not know the university’s position on this issue.
3. Some steep slopes would be encountered.
4. Soils are generally poor.
5. A number of bridges would be required.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. A trail could provide a direct bicycle and pedestrian connection from the Bolin Creek Trail to UNC.
2. Most slopes are reasonable and the corridor is wide enough in most locations to allow consideration of multiple options for trail development.
Recommendation
1. The Town should work with the university to determine a mutually acceptable level of trail improvement.
The Cole Springs Branch runs in a northwest to southeasterly direction and extends over three-fourths mile to its confluence with Bolin Creek. It is comprised of two major forks one which begins near the intersection of Estes Drive and Airport Road and a second which begins at Airport Road south of Estes Drive near the YMCA. The two forks join into a single stream channel approximately 2,500 feet above the confluence with Bolin Creek.
Potential for Trail Development
The south bank of Cole Springs Branch directly above Bolin Creek is characterized by a wide, dry stream terrace which would allow a variety of options for trail alignment. An existing sanitary sewer easement follows the north bank. There are no significant conflicts with existing residential development for the first 2,500 feet of the stream.
Above this segment of the stream existing residential development may pose considerable difficulty to trail placement. Coupled with a narrowing of the stream terrace and steep side slopes, trail development may be problematic.
Summary of Constraints for
Potential Trail Development
1. Extensive land or easement acquisition would be necessary for trail development.
2. There are some existing residential conflicts.
3. Slope conditions may make trail continuity and linkage with adjacent neighborhoods difficult.
Summary of Factors Favorable for
Potential Trail Development
1. Large portions of Cole Springs Branch are relatively flat and exhibit dry, stable soils.
Recommendations
1. The Town should take advantage of any opportunities to acquire easements or land along both banks of Cole Springs Branch and continue to search for linkages to public streets adjacent to the corridor.
2. Any trail should be designed as a Class 3 trail to connect with the Phase II segment of the Bolin Creek Trail.
The Booker Creek Watershed
Booker Creek begins as two small branches. The south branch rises near Homestead Road east of the existing rail line. The north branch begins near the intersection of Weaver Dairy Road and Airport Road and is joined by a smaller tributary midway in its course. The two branches eventually merge just west of Airport Road. From the juncture of the two branches, Booker Creek flows generally south and east across areas of Town that include both developed and undeveloped tracts. The creek flows into Lake Ellen and Eastwood Lake. From Eastwood Lake, the creek flows through a wide flood plain, continues under Franklin Street, and then literally flows under the Eastgate shopping area. Once past Fordham Boulevard, the creek flows through very low and wet areas until it merges with Bolin Creek. Both Bolin and Booker Creeks lose their separate identities at this point as they become Little Creek.
Booker Creek
flows nearly 5.7 miles and has five major segments which may be developed with
trails of varied classifications. The central section of the creek has been
too heavily developed to practically support a trail program, however trails of
Class 6 could be built west of Airport Road and east of Eastwood Lake and a Class 3 or Class 6 trail could be included south of Fordham Boulevard. Further
study would be required to determine the appropriate trail width and surfacing.
If the proposed Chapel Hill trail system were fully developed the various sections of the Booker Creek
Trail would total nearly 3.2 miles and would connect directly to the following
trails: Bolin Creek and the Rail Trail. Various segments of the Booker Creek
Trail would connect indirectly, through the above mentioned greenways, to the
following trails: Battle Branch, Tanyard Branch, Cole Springs Branch, North
Trail, Old Field, and Dry Creek.
ΠBOOKER CREEK:
Weaver Dairy
Road to Homestead Park the Northern Community Park
The north branch
of Booker Creek drains primarily flat land to the west of and parallel to Airport Road. Currently the majority of this land is undeveloped.
In 1997, the
Town began a Conceptual Plan process for this trail segment. Council action on
the Conceptual Plan is anticipated Winter 1998-1999.
Resource Protection
The Town is
currently developing a has built the 40.77 acre community park
Homestead Park, which includes approximately 1,100 feet of greenway
corridor.
Potential for Trail Development
This section
of the proposed trail system has been referred to as the Upper Booker Creek
Trail. Trail development
would be relatively easy along the east side both sides of the
creek. Trails could be constructed to any class with few constraints.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are few topographical constraints.
2. There are few conflicts with residences or businesses.
Recommendations
1. Once this
section becomes a top priority, the The Town should pursue the
construction of a Class 6 trail from the vicinity of Weaver Dairy Road to Homestead Park. In addition, a Class 6 spur trail should be built from the proposed Upper
Booker Creek Trail to the proposed Rail Trail.
BOOKER CREEK:
Greene Tract to Booker Creek Trail
The west branch
is a minor tributary which joins the northern branch of Booker Creek at a point
north of the planned Northern Community Park Homestead Park and the proposed Rail
Trail. The creek resembles more of a ditch in its early stage and drains large
areas of relatively flat land to the west of Airport Road. Currently the
majority of this land is undeveloped.
Potential for Trail Development
Trail
development would be relatively easy along both sides of the tributary. Trails
could be constructed to any class with few constraints and could potentially be
extended westward across the rail line to the Greene Tract. The Greene Tract
is a 164.5-acre, currently undeveloped tract that was once jointly
owned by the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County. The ultimate use of the Greene Tract has not been determined. In 2002
the three governments agreed to dispose of the tract in the following manner:
· 60 acres deeded to Orange County
· 85.9 acres jointly owned by the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County for open space with a conservation easement placed over the property
· 18.1 acres owned by the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and Orange County for affordable housing
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Land or
easement acquisition would be necessary for trail development.
2. A crossing of the rail line would be necessary.
3. The local governments would have to agree to a trail building program within the Greene Tract.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are
few topographical constraints.
2. Currently, there are few existing residential conflict.
3. The proposed Rail Trail corridor including all Town property and
easements lies on the east side of the tracks.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should take advantage of any opportunities to acquire easements or land along
both banks of Booker Creek.
2. Once this
section becomes a priority, the Town should pursue the construction of a Class
6 trail.
3. The trail
should be planned to connect with the proposed Rail Trail.
4. The Town
should work with all Greene property partners to determine a trail program for
the property including potential areas to cross the rail corridor.
Ž BOOKER CREEK:
Airport Road to Eastwood Lake
Booker Creek crosses under Airport Road and flows for a short distance through an area that is mostly wooded. The north shore of the stream corridor becomes highly developed as it parallels Dixie Drive. Booker Creek eventually flows into Lake Ellen, which is surrounded by single-family homes and steep slopes. Below the dam the creek enters a valley which is often steep with extensive areas of exposed rock. Homes are found throughout this section, some quite near the creek, while others are located on bluffs overlooking the stream. The stream passes under Piney Mountain Road. Eventually the creek flows into Eastwood Lake, near Curtis Road and Kensington Drive.
Resource Protection
The Town has protected some open space downstream of Lake Ellen and at the intersection of Kensington Drive and Curtis Road.
Potential for Trail Development
Trail development would be extremely difficult along this section of Booker Creek. Although cleared Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) sanitary sewer easements could provide a good surface for the trail along some sections of the creek, portions of the corridor are steep, rocky, and narrow. The greatest constraint to trail development is the absence of Town controlled rights-of-ways in a densely developed area. In many locations, trails would have to be constructed very close to established homes and in several places would have to cross over maintained lawns.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Extensive land acquisition would be necessary for trail development.
2. Some bridges
may be required.
3. Trail development may be difficult given proximity of existing homes.
4. Steep slopes predominate throughout the section.
5. Feasible access to the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) sanitary sewer easement is not apparent in at least two locations.
6. Tree and rock outcroppings would be disturbed by trail construction of Class 5 or greater.
7. Trails in the vicinity of the two lakes would be difficult to locate.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. An Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) sewer easement would allow for easy construction
of trails in some areas.
Recommendations
1. The Town should take advantage of any opportunities to acquire easements or land, for resource protection purposes, along both banks of Booker Creek.
2. The Town should not promote a trail in this area unless requested to do so by residents. The corridor should remain undeveloped to a Class 1 or 2 level.
BOOKER CREEK:
From the
spillway of Eastwood Lake, Booker Creek crosses several private lots until it
merges with the northeast branch, east of Eastwood Lake. From the juncture
with the northeast branch, the creek flows almost due south through a broad
vegetated, floodplain until it crosses under Franklin Street near the Eastgate Shopping Center. The northeast branch of the creek begins near Honeysuckle Road
and flows south to meet the main branch just south of Booker Creek Road. This
section provides an opportunity for trail development that would serve several
neighborhoods and a major shopping and commercial area.
Phase I of
the trail has already been built.
The trail, which is called the Lower Booker Creek Trail, is complete. It
is a 10’ wide paved, Class 6 trail, approximately 300 feet .85
miles long and includes a bridge crossing of Booker Creek that provides a
connection between Daley Road and Tadley Drive.
Resource Protection
The Town has acquired a great deal of land along this section of the Booker Creek greenway, including a majority of the acreage along over 5,000 ft. of stream corridor. In addition to fee-simple ownership of land, the Town has established a large recreation area and over 2,000 feet of pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle easements. The Resource Conservation District (RCD) ordinance assists in protecting the remaining portions of the greenway corridor not directly controlled by the Town.
Potential for Additional Trail Development
Trail
development would be extremely difficult from Eastwood Lake to the juncture
with the northeast branch due to the private property along the lake. However,
trail development to Class 6 is possible from Booker Creek Drive to Franklin Street. The best corridor appears to be along the east shore of the creek from Booker Creek Drive to Daley Road. The bridge at Daley Road provides access to the west bank
near Tadley Drive. The trail could continue along sewer easements on the west
bank of the creek to Franklin Street.
Another issue relates to providing neighborhood access from the Oxford Hills neighborhood to the existing trail. Although the Town owns two potential connectors neighboring property owners have expressed concern related to privacy issues if a connector trail is built.
Trail safety and use would be greatly enhanced with the addition of an underpass of Franklin Street adjacent to the culvert that carries Booker Creek. Please see the list of NCDOT critical intersections on page ???.
Summary of
Constraints for
Potential
Trail Development
1. Some land
or easement acquisition would be necessary for trail development.
2. It would
be necessary to remove trees and vegetation.
3. Flooding
is common along this section.
4. It may be
difficult to safely merge a bicycle trail into the traffic patterns of East Franklin Street.
5. Wetlands
may exist along portions of the trail corridor, especially north of the bridge
crossing.
Summary of
Factors Favorable for
Potential
Trail Development
1. Over half
of the necessary land has been acquired.
2. There are
few topographical constraints to trail development.
3. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has committed $260,000 for the
construction of this project.
4. $56,000
in Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) direct allocation funds have been
committed for the construction of this trail.
Recommendations
1. The Town should continue
to work with neighbors to eventually provide direct access from the Oxford
Hills neighborhood to the Lower Booker Creek Trail. take advantage of
any opportunities to acquire easements or land along both banks of Booker
Creek.
2. The Town
should construct a Class 6 trail from the bridge crossing to Franklin Street.
3. The Town
should further evaluate the potential benefits and environmental impacts of
trail development north of the bridge crossing.
4. The Town should pursue the addition of an underpass of Franklin Street to assure a safer and more useful trail crossing of this major road.
BOOKER CREEK:
Franklin Street to Fordham Boulevard
The landscape surrounding Booker Creek changes character once the stream passes under Franklin Street. The entire creek immediately passes beneath the parking lot and main building of Eastgate Shopping Center. From the outflow of the creek on the south side of the Eastgate Shopping Center, the creek resumes a more natural course, although the surroundings are predominantly urban. The creek flows near several commercial buildings and roads until it passes beneath Fordham Boulevard near Willow Drive.
Resource Protection
The entire corridor is in private ownership and is almost completely developed.
Potential for Trail Development
Trail
development would be extremely difficult through the Eastgate Shopping Center property. Once on the south side of the shopping center, trail development
would be possible, although most of the land and easements would have to be
acquired.
Recently,
proposed plans for redevelopment of commercial property along Franklin Street north of Elliott Road and also along Fordham Boulevard may provide the
opportunity for
a continuous
pedestrian link between Franklin Street and Fordham Boulevard.
The Lower Booker Trail project included a pedestrian activated crossing signal of Franklin Street and the entrance to the Eastgate Shopping Center. Once on the south side of Franklin Street trail users can continue on a class 6 trail through the Staples Shopping Center until its southern tip. The Town has plans and funding to continue the trail to Fordham Boulevard. Construction is anticipated for early 2005.
Summary of
Constraints for
Potential
Trail Development
1.
Significant land or easement acquisition would be necessary for trail
development.
Summary of
Factors Favorable for
Potential
Trail Development
1. There are
few topographical constraints to trail development.
Recommendations
1. The Town should take advantage of any opportunities to acquire easements or land along both banks of Booker Creek.
2. Should the Eastgate Shopping Center property be redesigned or rebuilt, the Town should take advantage
of the opportunity to assure a an additional trail corridor.
3. The Town should
actively pursue the acquisition of easements within redeveloped commercial and
adjacent properties for the construction of a Class 3 or Class 6 greenway.
Further investigation is needed to determine appropriate trail width and
surfacing.
4. Options for safe pedestrian and bicycle crossing of Fordham should be a high priority. The best solution would be an underpass of Fordham Boulevard and a redesigned Elliott Road that would eliminate the Elliott Road culvert. Meanwhile provision of a pedestrian refuge and pedestrian activated crossing signal would improve safety and increase use in this location.
‘ BOOKER CREEK:
Fordham Boulevard to Little Creek
Once past Fordham Boulevard, Booker Creek enters a floodplain that is very flat and poorly drained. The areas surrounding Booker Creek probably contain significant areas of wetlands, as defined by the Army Corps of Engineers. Booker Creek ends as it joins with Bolin Creek to form Little Creek.
Resource Protection
The Town owns 16
26 acres of land along this portion of the Booker Creek corridor.
Potential for Trail Development
Trail development in this area would be challenging although beneficial to the neighborhoods in the southeast portion of Town. A trail could be used to gain access to the shopping and commercial areas near Elliott and East Franklin Streets, and the Bolin Creek Trail.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Some land acquisition would be necessary for trail development.
2. Engineering would be required to overcome problems associated with trail development in wet areas.
3. Extensive use of boardwalks may be required.
4. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill owns a 9.8-acre tract of low-lying land which straddles Booker Creek between Fordham Boulevard and Willow Drive. An agreement with the University would be needed to complete the trail corridor.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are few topographical constraints to trail development.
2. The Town controls a significant tract of land along the creek.
Recommendations
1. The Town should take advantage of any opportunities to acquire easements or land along both banks of Booker Creek.
2. Once the
section has become a priority, the Town should pursue construction of a Class 3
6 trail.
3. The Town should negotiate with the University to gain access across UNC property.
For the next section of greenway corridor downstream, see “Little Creek”, page ????.
Tributaries of Booker Creek
Cedar Fork drains much of the area north of Honeysuckle Road and south of Interstate 40. The creek flows generally southeast, over 1.1 miles, until it empties into Booker Creek near the intersection of Brookview Drive and Cedar Falls Court. The stream flows through an area which is heavily developed by both residential and commercial structures.
Potential for Trail Development
Trail development would be difficult along Cedar Fork due to the existing development encountered along the stream. A trail currently exists within Cedar Falls Park (see Connector Trails, page ???.) The park trail and this potion of Cedar Fork could provide a natural connector for persons wishing to travel from the proposed North Trail and Dry Creek Trail to the Booker Creek Trail. Although some travel on streets would be required to connect these trails, Cedar Falls Park greatly reduces the need to walk on Town streets.
Recommendations
1. The Town should acquire easements and land along Cedar Fork.
2. The Cedar Fork corridor should remain as a Class 1 or 2 greenway.
Little Creek
The confluence of Bolin Creek and Booker Creek occurs between the Rainbow Soccer fields and 52 acres of Town-owned open space. Beyond the confluence, Little Creek flows for over 1.1 miles within the Town limits, flowing eastward into the Town-owned tract, through the Chapel Hill Country Club property, through the site of the future 72-acre Meadowmont park and then out of the Town's jurisdiction to Jordan Lake.
ΠLITTLE CREEK:
Resource Protection
The Town owns a
52-acre tract of land, which includes approximately 2,000 feet of greenway
corridor, and in the future will likely own 72 acres along the creek in
Meadowmont. The future park site is proposed to be coupled with a middle
school site to provide a combined 92 acres of publicly-held land.
Potential for Trail Development
Much Most of the required land within
this corridor segment is controlled by the Town. Additional easements would
be needed to create a trail connecting the Oaks neighborhood with shopping
areas on Fordham Boulevard. As further linkages are made, the planned
Meadowmont development could be connected.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Extensive wetlands might exist along portions of the trail corridor.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are few topographical constraints to trail development.
2. The Town controls a significant tract of land along the creek.
Recommendations
1. Trails
should be constructed as a Class 3 6 trail and integrate
boardwalks through wet areas.
LITTLE CREEK:
Pinehurst Drive to Chapel Hill Jurisdictional Limits
Resource Protection
If the Meadowmont
project is built as currently designed, the Town will be deeded a The Town now owns a 72-acre park site located
downstream from the Chapel Hill Country Club property. The park will
include includes soccer fields, softball and baseball fields,
a picnic areas, trails, and a portion of land along the Little
Creek corridor to accommodate a paved bicycle and pedestrian greenway trail.
Potential for Trail Development
A major obstacle to the
continuity of the Little Creek corridor for recreational and transportation
purposes, is the existing Chapel Hill Country Club golf course. Downstream
of the golf course, the trail could follow an alignment shaped by the upper
reaches of the US Army Corps of Engineer’s flood limits for Jordan Lake. It could provide an important transportation and recreational link with the
proposed Town park site and connection to the business and residential
developments within Meadowmont. From the future Town park site, near the
former Dubose home property (future UNC conference center), the trail could be
built as a natural surface trail to negotiate the steep cross-slope conditions
and to minimize tree clearing. Trails from Rashkis School to Lancaster Drive and the eastern end of Meadowmont Drive should be completed by the
end of 2005. The trails could continue eastward following the edge
of the Jordan Lake flood land to the Town limits near NC 54.
The
transportation component could be further enhanced by adding bicycle paths
along NC 54. These bikeways could extend westward to the UNC campus and
eastward to the Town Limits where their extension into Durham could provide
eventual links to the New Hope Corridor and the American Tobacco Trail.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Some land acquisition or easements would be necessary for trail development.
2. A continuous trail across the existing Chapel Hill Country Club golf course may not be feasible.
3. The North Carolina Division of Wildlife manages the Army Corps of Engineers land near NC 54. Cooperation from the Corps and North Carolina Division of Wildlife would be required to achieve limited clearing, required grading and paving of the trail.
4. Some portions of the trail would require acquisition of land to avoid wet areas or steep slope conditions within the existing easement.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. The majority of the Little Creek Trail downstream of the 52-acre Town-owned parcel, would be constructed on land exhibiting somewhat variable slope conditions, but dry and stable soils.
2. The juncture of planned residential uses and development of the trail can be coordinated to minimize potential conflicts.
Recommendations
1. Easements and land acquisition should be acquired as opportunities arise.
2. Once preceding greenway segments are completed, the Town should pursue the potential of a street and sidewalk connection to bypass the golf course property. Trail users could be routed on public sidewalks southward on Pinehurst Drive and connect with new roads within the Meadowmont development and eventually connect with the proposed Meadowmont Trail. This link could be marked as part of the Town’s greenway system to assist trail users following the route. Trail users could also be routed to Lancaster Drive to the trailhead that will likely be in that location by the end of 2005
3. The Town should make all efforts to work with the Country Club and surrounding neighborhoods to make the connections possible.
4. The Town should pursue a connection with future Durham trail development as it occurs along Little Creek.
5. The Town should coordinate with the Durham Open Space and Trails program to determine the appropriate trail type that should be constructed from the Town limits to Meadowmont Drive.
6. Until such
time as joint planning with Durham occurs, the trail should be constructed as a
natural surface, Class 3 trail from the future Town park to the
intersection of the Class 6 Meadowmont Trail.
7. Bicycle
paths paralleling both sides of NC 54 from Fordham Boulevard east to the Town
limits may potentially intersect with planned Durham trails. These possible
future connections could link the south end of the Meadowmont Trail with Durham’s New Hope Trail and American Tobacco Trail.
Potential American Tobacco Trail Connection
An
alternative connection currently proposed by the Triangle Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy suggests linking the Little Creek Trail with the American Tobacco
Trail via an off-road bicycle accessible trail. This proposal may be possible
between the Corps of Engineer’s wetland mitigation impoundment of Little Creek
at its crossing of NC 54 and the Meadowmont development. Trail development in
this area, while scenic, will require either a bridge and/or an extensive and
extremely costly boardwalk system to the negotiate wet areas, impoundment and
dam structure.
See Highway
54 Trail on page ??? for a recommended class 6 connection. While the American Tobacco Trail link
is enticing, the The construction of a class 3 trail connector
to the American Tobacco Trail is partially possible through this portion
of the along Little Creek although corridor may be
difficult given the pattern of existing neighborhoods and the potential conflicts
with the Chapel Hill Country Club golf course would remain. The extent
of poorly drained soils and wetland areas may also create significant
environmental trade-offs.
Recommendations
1. Because
of the importance this corridor has for potentially linking the Chapel Hill
greenways system with significant open space and trail opportunities in Durham,
this proposed connection requires more detailed and thorough study to determine
its feasibility.
2. Until
connecting trails beyond the Town limits are constructed by Durham, improved,
paved trails in this portion of the corridor should not be undertaken.
However, natural Natural surface trails can occur could
be built on Town-owned land from Meadowmont to the Durham line.
3. The bicycle transportation component should be addressed in part by the provision of off-road bicycle paths along NC 54. See page ???.
The Morgan Creek Watershed
Morgan Creek begins in central Orange County and flows southeast until it becomes a large stream. Near the Carrboro town limits, the creek enters University Lake, an important water source for southern Orange County. From its outflow at the base of the University Lake dam, Morgan Creek flows east through Carrboro's jurisdiction until it flows under Smith Level Road. Once the creek passes under Smith Level Road, it enters Chapel Hill's jurisdiction. Once inside Chapel Hill's town limits the creek flows over 4.5 miles and undergoes several dramatic transformations. From Smith Level Road to its outflow into Jordan Lake, the creek passes through three distinct sections.
The watershed is
the most isolated of the major streams in Chapel Hill. Natural connections
from Morgan Creek to the Town's trails north of Fordham Boulevard are blocked
by high ridges and major roads. Possible trail extensions are proposed for Wilson Creek and Fan Branch trails. A class 6 trail has been built along Fan Branch
and a short section of Wilson Creek.
ΠMORGAN CREEK:
Smith Level Road to Merritt Pasture
As Morgan Creek enters the Chapel Hill Urban Services District on the east side of Smith Level Road, the stream flows through a broad flood plain, with its greatest relief being on the south bank. The greenway corridor contains an elementary school, a large apartment complex, a large single-family residential area, an extensive series of power line rights-of-way, and several undeveloped tracts of land.
Resource Protection
The Town has
acquired several tracts of land along both banks of Morgan Creek including significant acreage south of Frank Porter Graham School in 2003.
Although the environmental and aesthetic integrity of much of this the
property near Highway 15-501 has been compromised by extensive power
line construction, there remain some significant tracts of relatively
untouched land. As development occurs in the upstream stretch of Morgan Creek, greater opportunities to acquire land and trail corridors through the
requirements of the Town development ordinance will occur.
Potential for Trail Development
The Town is currently in the midst of a major study of the Morgan Creek corridor. The limits of the planning process extend from the western side of Smith Level Road to Merritt Pasture east of Highway 15-501. The planning process is intended to identify trail location, bridge locations, and needed property/easement acquisitions.
Once built, the
Morgan Creek Trail would interconnect much of the area south of Fordham Boulevard. Citizens would be provided with safe access to Frank Porter Graham School and with trails proposed to be developed along Wilson Creek and Fan Branch. The partially constructed Fan Branch Trail would eventually lead to the
new Southern Community Park at Dogwood Acres Drive, Scroggs School the
proposed Southern Village school, and to the commercial and residential
areas within Southern Village.
In an ideal
situation, the west terminus of the trail would be constructed so that the
entrance could provide access to both Smith Level Road and Frank Porter Graham School. In this way, residents and schoolchildren could be served by the
trail, while minimizing the time pedestrians and bicyclists need travel Smith Level Road.
Although
great difficulties may be encountered, the north bank of the creek could
provide an excellent trail location if easements could be provided across the Frank Porter Graham School property and the property of Kingswood Apartments. This option
would allow the greatest number of people to access the trail, allow planners
to reduce the number of bridges needed, and to limit the number of property
owners that would have to be involved in land negotiations.
The south
bank of the creek may provide the most practical route. Carrboro's current
jurisdiction begins about 200 feet east Smith Level Road. If trail
construction were to take place on the south bank, that construction might have
to be coordinated with the Town of Carrboro. The south bank contains traces of
an abandoned road which could provide a good base for a trail. The major
constraints appear to be the current lack of public access, a few isolated
areas with steep topography, and large meanders in the creek. A trail built
along the south bank would eventually encounter existing homes and extremely
steep topography. As the trail tracks eastward, it could cross to Town-owned
land on the north bank.
The north
bank of the corridor exhibits some steep areas and narrow cross slopes which
may require the construction of retaining walls or boardwalk portions of the
trail. As the trail approaches Hwy. 15-501, the banks at the meanders of the
creek become rocky and extremely steep. The usable portion of the corridor has
been narrowed in width by the placement of fill material required for recent
lane improvements at Hwy. 15-501. A narrow, unpaved footpath could provide
access through this area. Continuing under the Hwy. 15-501 bridge this Class 3
trail could follow the north stream bank to connect with the Town-owned Merritt
Pasture.
A final
bridge would be required to access the south bank and Culbreth Road west of
Hwy. 15-501. The intersection of the trail at Culbreth Road could provide an
alignment with the Fan Branch Trail located on the south side of Culbreth Road.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
South
Bank:
1. An underpass at Culbreth Road, would be the safest, though most expensive method of crossing.
2. At least
three, and possibly as many as five As many as 6 bridges may be
required.
3. Access to the trail by persons living north of Fordham Boulevard may be difficult.
4. Land or easement acquisition would be necessary.
5. If the
south bank is used, it may be necessary to coordinate with the Town of Carrboro to access Smith Level Road.
North
Bank:
1. If the
north bank were used, it would be necessary to coordinate the trail alignment
with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools and the owner of Kingswood Apartments.
2. The
continuity of the corridor along the north bank is interrupted by the existing
apartment pool facility.
3. Construction of the Duke Power transmission lines has negatively impacted the aesthetics of the creek corridor.
4. Future widening of Highway 15-501 might impact the trail corridor in ways not yet apparent.
5. The north
bank, as it parallels Hwy. 15-501, is too narrow and has a cross slope too
steep to support more than a minor footpath.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Much Most
of the land acquisition has already occurred.
2. The land
is undulating with sporadic topographical constraints on the south bank.
3. There are few conflicts with established residential neighborhoods.
Recommendations
1. The Town should complete the conceptual plan study as soon as possible.
1. The Town
should acquire any easements identified in the study as much land
along Morgan Creek as possible.
2. Once all the needed land has been acquired, a Class 6 trail should be constructed from Culbreth Road near the Hwy. 15-501 bridge over Morgan Creek to Smith Level Road and, if possible, to Frank Porter Graham Elementary School.
3. The alignment of the Class 6 trail should be located to align with the Fan Branch Trail.
4. The
possibility of a trail underpass at Culbreth Road should be explored. The
Town should build a trail underpass of Culbreth Road.
5. A Class 3
footpath should be constructed along the north bank of the creek as it
parallels Hwy. 15-501 and continues under the Hwy. 15-501 bridge to the Merritt
Pasture.
MORGAN CREEK:
Merritt Pasture to Ashe Place
After Morgan Creek passes under the Highway 15-501 bridge, it enters an area of Chapel Hill that has experienced a great deal of residential development. Specific tracts have also been identified as environmentally sensitive, and are listed in the 1988 "Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County, North Carolina", a study prepared by the Triangle Land Conservancy. As the stream flows east it passes into a small valley with a high ridge along the south bank. Occasionally this ridge plunges directly into the creek, forming steep and rocky banks.
Residential development on the south bank is generally located on the ridge, well above the creek. However, in several locations homes have been constructed quite near the stream. The north bank of the creek is generally lower and has more residential development near the stream bank. Little undeveloped land remains along this section of Morgan Creek.
Resource Protection
The 31-acre Merritt Pasture presents 1,500 feet of Town-owned property along this segment of the Morgan Creek corridor. The Town has acquired very little land beyond this section of Morgan Creek. The NC Botanical Garden Foundation has agreed to work with neighbors to acquire conservation easements to help protect this section of stream.
Potential for Trail Development
An informal trail exists along this section of Morgan Creek; however, it is important to note that most of the trail is in private ownership and is not available for public use. The potential for trail development for public use is limited along this section of Morgan Creek for several reasons: existing residential development has split ownership of the corridor into many small parcels, the corridor is environmentally sensitive, and the banks are typically steep and rocky. The short section of the corridor, from Highway 15-501 to the foot of the steep slopes beneath Old Bridge Lane and Mallard Road, could potentially be developed for trail use.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Many bridges could be required.
2. Trail construction would be very difficult due to the sensitive nature of the vegetation and soils.
3. Much land acquisition would be necessary.
4. Steep slopes predominate in this portion of the corridor.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should acquire land as required to provide maintenance and pedestrian access to
the Merritt Pasture from Morgan Creek Road. This trail could provide an
informal pedestrian link connecting the neighborhoods along the north bank of Morgan Creek to the Merritt Pasture.
The Town should work to accommodate public access to the Merritt Pasture from
the west.
2. No improvements are recommended within the pasture. Trail construction should terminate at the edge of the pasture.
3. The Town should work with the NC Botanical Garden and the residents along this section of Morgan Creek to ensure that the sensitive environment of the creek corridor is preserved. Assistance should be given when negotiating with applicants of future developments as well as with current landowners.
4. This greenway segment should be preserved as an unimproved Class 2 corridor.
Ž MORGAN CREEK:
Ashe Place to Jordan Lake
Residential development exists along the north bank of Morgan Creek downstream of Ashe Place and Arboretum Drive. Beyond Bartram Drive the creek is totally within University property. The creek travels through a broad, wooded, flood plain with little evidence of human activity, except for an Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) sewer line that parallels the creek.
Eventually the creek flows past the OWASA Wastewater Treatment Plant. Shortly after passing the treatment plant, the creek flows into the Finley Golf Course property toward the Town limits. Beyond the Town limits the creek flows through lands controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers until it empties into Jordan Lake.
Resource Protection
The land along
both banks of Morgan Creek is owned by the University. See Figure 12.
Also, see “Cooperation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill”, page 62.
Potential for Trail Development
An informal Class 2 trail currently exists along the creek, particularly on the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) sewer easement, between Ashe Place and Finley Golf Course.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Currently the University wishes to preserve the area for education and research.
2. Access is controlled through the NC Botanical Garden.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Should the University increase land available for trail development, most of the necessary land acquisition would already be in place.
2. The existing OWASA sewer easement would provide a good foundation for trail construction.
Recommendations:
1. The Town should continue to collaborate with the University for open space preservation in this area.
2. This
greenway segment should be preserved as an unimproved Class 2 corridor.
Tributaries of Morgan Creek
This creek begins in northern Chatham County and flows north until its confluence with Morgan Creek just west of the Highway 15-501 bridge. It flows over 2.8 miles within the Town limits, through mostly forested land.
Resource Protection
The Town controls an insignificant portion of the Wilson Creek corridor except that portions fall under the protection of the RCD ordinance.
Potential for Trail Development
Sections of the creek would be suitable for trail development.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. The portion of the creek east of Hwy. 15-501, is low and prone to flooding. Beaver dams have further increased the area of inundation.
2. Portions of the corridor contain steep slopes.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Much of the corridor is undeveloped.
Recommendations
1. A Class 3
trail is recommended from Hwy. 15-501 southward to the Town Limits. If
the area is developed at a fairly low density a Class 3 trail is recommended
from the vicinity of the southern fire station southward to Wave Road.
2. If development density is increased portions of the proposed trail could be increased to as high as Class 6.
Fan Branch is a small stream with two major forks, totaling nearly 1.9 miles in length. One fork begins near Smith Level Road and the other near Dogwood Acres Drive. The forks merge south of Culbreth Road and flow north until they merge with Wilson Creek.
Resource Protection
The majority of
the Fan Branch watershed lies within the Southern Village community. This
community is being was developed to a relatively high density;
however the stream corridor was will be preserved from Culbreth Road to the Southern Community Park.
Potential for Trail Development
The first one-third
mile phase of the About 1 mile of
the Fan Branch greenway has been
completed as a Class 5 6 trail (see Figure ???). Future
trails, will include an The Town is currently planning an extension
of the existing paved trail to the southern end of the planned Southern
Community Park as well as an unpaved Class 3 side trail which parallels the
existing pedestrian path adjacent to Arlen Park Drive and other woodland trails
along the main stream and to the west along a small tributary. When the Town
develops the Southern Community Park, extension of the paved trail southward
could occur.
This creek flows almost entirely on University lands for a distance of over 1.1 miles. It begins in a ravine that parallels Manning Drive, and then passes under Fordham Boulevard. Once on the south side of the bypass, the creek passes through the NC Botanical Gardens until it empties into Morgan Creek near the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Resource Protection
The land along
Meeting of the Waters Creek is owned by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lies almost entirely within areas currently protected for research
purposes. See Figure ?????. Also, see “Cooperation with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill”, page 62.
Potential for Trail Development
Class 3 trails that are open to the public currently exist within the NC Botanical Garden. NC Botanical Garden trails are limited to pedestrian traffic only. Also, Class 2 trails exist on the north side of Meeting of the Waters Creek, extending northward through the Coker Pinetum. See Figure ?????.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Currently the University wishes to preserve this area for education and research.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Should the University increase land available for trail development, most of the necessary land acquisition would already be in place.
Recommendations
1. The Town should continue to collaborate with the University for open space preservation in this area.
Chapel Creek, flows some 1.1 miles from north of St. Thomas More School until it passes under Fordham Boulevard. Once on the south side of the bypass, the creek passes through University of North Carolina property until it empties into Morgan Creek near the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Resource Protection
The land along
Chapel Creek is owned by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and
lies almost entirely within areas currently protected for research purposes or
in sites already developed. See Figure ????. Also, see “Cooperation with
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill”, page 62.
Potential for Trail Development
The Carolina Adventure Outdoor Education Center is located in this area, providing physical
education and campus recreation purposes.
Summary of Constraints for
Potential Trail Development
1. Currently the
University wishes to preserve this area for educational and campus recreational
purposes.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Should the University become interested in trail development, most of the necessary land acquisition would already be in place.
Recommendations
1. The Town should maintain ongoing communication with the University to facilitate any cooperative greenway planning or trail development in the future.
Dry Creek
Dry Creek is a
major tributary of New Hope Creek. The creek has several branches that drain
much of the area north of Weaver Dairy Road and south of Interstate 40. The
creek flows past Erwin Road then under Interstate 40 where it quickly enters Durham County. The name Dry Creek is misleading since the majority of the creek corridor
tends to be very wet and swampy even during dry periods. The potential trail,
over two and one half miles in length, could serve as a wonderful pedestrian-only
complement to the proposed North Trail.
Portions of the Dry Creek corridor have been identified as environmentally sensitive, and are listed in the "Inventory of the Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitats of Orange County, North Carolina", a study prepared in 1988 by the Triangle Land Conservancy.
The Conceptual
Plan for the Dry Creek Greenway was completed by the Dry Creek Greenway
Advisory Committee and adopted by Council in June 1997. The Dry Creek
Greenway Conceptual Plan Report, by reference, is incorporated as part of this
Master Plan. Because of land acquisitions that occurred after the
adoption of the Plan, the Master Plan contains significant revisions of the
reports recommendations for trail locations.
ΠDRY CREEK
East Chapel Hill High School to Silver Creek Trail
The initial segment of the Dry Creek Greenway begins at East Chapel Hill High School and continues 2,300 feet eastward along the southern branch of Dry Creek. This portion of the greenway is essentially of a woodland character, predominantly hardwoods, and offers a variety of rock outcroppings, waterfalls and picturesque forest experiences.
Resource Protection
The Town has acquired the necessary land to implement this segment of the Dry Creek Greenway.
Potential for Trail Development
The trail has
been completed from San Juan Road to Silver Creek Trail. In addition, a trail location has
been identified and “roughed in” by volunteers from San Juan Trail to the High
School property. Erosion control work on the school site is expected to be
completed in 2004. Upon completion of that work the trail can be completed and
signed. The extremely rugged and rocky character of this segment make it
both scenic and difficult to develop. The initial 500-foot portion of the
greenway exhibits moderate slopes. However the remaining portion is generally
rugged and rocky in nature, much of it having 25% slopes or greater. Given the
uneven terrain within the corridor, grading and clearing for a trail should be
kept to a minimum.
A Duke Power
overhead transmission line parallels the creek on its north side. The south
side offers the best opportunity for a trail having a woodland character.
Summary of
Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Several portions of
the trail are close to existing single family subdivisions and will require
appropriate landscape.
2. Severe cross slopes
and longitudinal gradients in excess of 25% and rock outcroppings make trail
development difficult.
3. Storm
damage from Hurricane Fran will require considerable removal of fallen trees
and limbs along the trail.
4. The
steepness of the trail required at its crossing with a future roadway within
the Silver Creek subdivision may necessitate the construction of steps.
Summary of
Factors Favorable for
Potential
Trail Development
1. A remnant farm
access road at the edge of the school property provides about 500 feet of trail
bed suitable for use with minimal improvements or clearing required.
2. The
rugged woodland character of the site would contribute to a unique greenway
experience.
Recommendations
1. The Town should coordinate with school officials to determine the location of the trailhead on East Chapel Hill High School property.
2. The Town should develop
complete a narrow natural surface footpath wide enough for travel by one
person similar in construction to the Town’s existing Battle Branch Trail.
3. The trail
should begin on the south side of the creek to avoid the overhead power lines
and parallel the streambed as closely as possible to mitigate impact to
adjacent residential areas.
4. Creek
crossing should occur at a steep rock outcropping where stream banks are low
and crossing may be achieved without the use of a built structure.
5. The trail
should ascend the hillside to negotiate the future road crossing on the north
side of the creek.
6. Trail signage should be installed as soon as the trail is completed.
DRY CREEK
Silver Creek Trail to Perry Creek Drive
The second segment of the Dry Creek Greenway corridor changes in physical and visual character. The quality of tree cover is diminished from the initial trail segment, being a mix of fewer hardwoods, modest small pines and other new growth species. The initial 100 feet of the trail corridor is relatively steep due to the existing fill slope at Silver Creek Trail.
The remaining portions of this segment are relatively low-lying, flat, and subject to flooding and seasonal ponding. The wet soils here sustain the very thick stand of young pines.
This section of the trail has been completed.
Resource
Protection
The Town has acquired
the necessary land and easements to implement this segment of the Dry Creek
Greenway.
Potential
for Trail Development
The first 400 feet of
this 1,700-foot greenway segment is rather narrow in width. Future homes to be
built as part of the Silver Creek subdivision will impact trail location. A
trail generally located as close to the stream as practicable will increase the
privacy of adjacent properties and take advantage of the stream as a visual
amenity. Trail construction closer to the creek will encounter wet soils.
Summary of
Constraints for
Potential
Trail Development
1. Options for trail
alignment are constrained by proximity of adjacent single family development
and extensive marshy and wet areas.
2. Privacy
issues may dictate an alignment close to the stream and the need for boardwalk
sections.
Summary of
Factors Favorable for
Potential
Trail Development
1. Few trees
are of sufficient quality to dictate trail alignment.
2. With one
exception, near Silver Creek Trail, the corridor is relatively wide.
Recommendations
1. Signs should be erected as soon as the upstream trail segment is completed.
1. Trail should be
constructed to be a narrow natural surface path.
2. Trail should be
located on the north side of the creek to minimize impact with neighboring
residential development and to avoid the need for stream crossings.
3. Steps may be
required at the Silver Creek Trail access point.
4. Landscape buffers
will be required on the north side of the creek along existing and future
Silver Creek residential development.
5. An 8-foot wide
wooden boardwalk should be constructed through marshy areas. Short sections of
boardwalk between sections of natural-surfaced trail should be avoided to
minimize potential hazard of multiple surface changes.
Ž DRY CREEK
Perry Creek Drive to Erwin Road
This
2,100-foot portion of greenway is comprised of very low land, being wet most of
the year. The tree canopy consists of mixed young pines and hardwoods. This
segment of Dry Creek is anticipated for a higher level of use than trail
segments 1 or 2. This
2,100-foot portion of greenway would be primarily located on a 32-acre parcel
of Town-owned open space property acquired in 2000. The land is located north
of Dry Creek and south of I-40.
Resource Protection
The Town has acquired the necessary land and easements to implement this segment of the Dry Creek Greenway.
Potential for Trail Development
The variety of physical
site conditions suggests a trail that is a combination of asphalt paving and
boardwalk.
A cleared
OWASA sanitary sewer easement parallels the creek’s north bank, suitable for
the trail’s location immediately east of Perry Creek Drive. A temporary
erosion control impoundment located here could be transformed into a modest
play area serving the residents of Springcrest subdivision. For a 400-500 foot
long section the trail may be paved, but will need to change to boardwalk as
wetlands dictate.
Wet soils near the
creek in the lower half of this corridor suggest a trail alignment near or on
the Duke Power easement, where drier more stable soils may again support a
paved trail for nearly 1,000 feet to Erwin Road.
Sidewalk connections
northward on Erwin Road would provide a link to Durham’s New Hope Creek
Corridor.
The initial trail would be located in and adjacent to an OWASA sewer easement to a crossing of Dry Creek. The trail would then be located on the well drained Town open space property to Erwin Road.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Extensive
federally regulated wetlands are most likely present in low areas.
2. Poorly
drained soils will dictate location of paved sections of trail
3.
Boardwalks may be required within the OWASA easement and will require
coordination to avoid interference with sewer line maintenance
1. The initial 500 ft from Perry Creek Road to Dry Creek would require some landscaping to preserve privacy for nearby homes.
2. Poorly drained soils will dictate location of paved sections of trail in some locations.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. The Town owns all the land required for trail development.
2. Existing utility easements provide land already cleared for trail use.
Recommendations
1. The Town should
construct a Class 6 trail, asphalt paved, 10-foot wide, from the east
side of Perry Creek Drive along the existing OWASA sanitary sewer easement
for some 2,100 feet to Erwin Road.
2. The trail should
follow the easement to about 400-500 east of Perry Creek Drive at which point
it may be necessary to change trail surfaces from asphalt to a boardwalk.
Paralleling the creek.
3. The eastern portion
of the trail approaching Erwin Road should be located along the southern edge
of the Duke Power easement, entering the treeline where soil and tree
conditions allow.
4. A natural surface trail connection running northeastward along a minor tributary of Dry Creek to the proposed North Trail is possible and should be pursued.
5. A small parking area (4-6
8-10 cars) at the south end of the Duke Power easement,
off Erwin Road should be considered. built near Erwin Road.
6. A sidewalk should be built to the north to Interstate 40. This would allow a connection between the Dry Creek Trail and the Durham greenways system.
DRY CREEK
Erwin Road to Providence Road
The Dry Creek basin east of Erwin Road is one of the most extensive wetland areas in Orange County. As described by the Triangle Land Conservancy, it is one of the most significant areas of biological diversity in the southern part of the county. The primary goal for this portion of Dry Creek should be to remain as a nature preserve, supporting activities such as bird and wildlife observation.
Resource Protection
1. Some Town land and
easement acquisition is required within the corridor. The Town has
acquired significant amounts of property along this section of Dry Creek.
Potential for Trail Development
The greenway corridor
extends 3,300 feet through this segment of Dry Creek. Trail construction
will largely be dictated by the extent of wet soils and location of designated
wetlands. A significant portion of the trail would require boardwalk, except
for a few isolated locations immediately adjacent to single family residences. The
Town has acquired most of the property adjacent to the creek including a large
amount of property between the creek and I-40 that would allow trail
development. The major obstacles would be a required crossing of Dry Creek and
finding suitable exits onto public streets within Eastowne.
A major safety issue relates to a trail crossing of Erwin Road. This plan recommends the addition of a pedestrian crossing and pedestrian refuge. Please see the list of NCDOT critical intersections on page ???.
The existing OWASA
sewer easement provides an alignment option which will minimize environmental
disturbance. The final 2,000 feet of trail would be constructed as a natural
surface path with bridges by the developer
of Sterling Ridge Condominiums until its end at Providence Road in Eastowne.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Wet soils and wetlands dominate portions of this segment.
2. Some
future residences in the Englewood subdivision may impact trail location and require
mitigating landscape treatments.
3. Access
from Erwin Road is steep and may require steps or switchbacks.
4.
Coordination with the developer of Sterling Ridge will be required during the
design and construction of the natural surface trail and bridges north of
Sterling Ridge.
5. Possible connection
to the New Hope Corridor greenway system could be via sidewalk on Providence Road and Eastowne Drive to the I-40 overpass and New Hope Commons or via the
OWASA sewer easement along Dry Creek to the overpass.
6. Erwin Road in its current state would present safety concerns for persons crossing the road. Improvements such as a pedestrian crossing and pedestrian refuge would be needed.
7. Exits onto streets within Eastowne have not yet been identified.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Tree cover is uniform, relatively mature, with an open understory presenting few constraints to trail alignment.
2. A sewer easement
has already been cleared within the corridor.
3. The Town owns most of the potential trail corridor including most of the higher and drier ground.
Recommendations
1. The corridor should remain
as a Class 2 be developed as a Class 6 greenway with trail
improvements being primarily wooden with boardwalk sections as
needed.
2. Boardwalks The
trail should be sensitively placed to avoid fragmenting the wildlife
corridor, utilizing the already-cleared sewer easement.
3. The final 700 feet
of this section, ending at Providence Road, is to be constructed by the developer
of Sterling Ridge. Town should coordinate design standards.
4. The Town should continue to explore options for trail connections to the New Hope Corridor and Durham greenway system.
DRY CREEK:
Erwin Road to Durham County Line
This segment of the Dry Creek Greenway would be a joint project with the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission. The portion of the corridor within Chapel Hill’s jurisdiction would be approximately 4,600 feet in length. Depending upon location, Durham would extend the trail an additional 1,000 to 2,000 feet to Mt. Moriah Church Road. Durham’s long-range plans show a trail extending downstream along Dry Creek to New Hope Creek. The trail surfacing is yet to be determined.
Resource Protection
Nearly all of
the land within this portion of the corridor is privately owned. Considerable
land and easement acquisition is required. The Town now owns all but one property
needed to develop a trail along this section of Dry Creek.
Potential for Trail Development
The corridor is generally
gently sloping with well-drained soils. A mixed hardwood tree cover exists
with trees of varying age. The width of the greenway corridor is yet to be
determined.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Nearly all of the
land within Chapel Hill’s jurisdiction is privately owned. One parcel is
still in private ownership.
2. Some pockets of potential wetlands exist.
3. The existing Erwin Road Bridge over I-40 is not suitable for pedestrian traffic.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Few topographic, vegetative or soil restrictions are present.
Recommendations
1. The Town should continue to pursue a joint development effort with Durham in constructing a coordinated trail and open space corridor.
2. A bike lane and sidewalk could continue to north of I-40 along Erwin Road.
3. To the north of I-40 and Erwin Road, a greenway connection would turn east and follow the north side of the Interstate northeast of Dry Creek. The trail would then continue to New Hope Commons shopping center and to New Hope Creek.
4. An alternate
northern connection via Mt. Moriah Church Road to Dry Creek could be explored
if the I-40 connecting trail proves unfeasible.
5. The Town should work with NCDOT to assure that any expansion and/or replacement of the Erwin Road Bridge over I-40 include sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
Man-Made Corridors
This Plan has
assessed the potential of five six Man-Made Corridors for
inclusion in the Chapel Hill greenway system: Public Service of North Carolina
gas transmission rights-of-way, Duke Power cross-country transmission
rights-of-way, the Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the Interstate 40 corridor, portions
of NC 54, and the Meadowmont development.
It is the current policy of Public Service of North Carolina, Inc. to prohibit the shared use of its gas transmission line rights-of-way for recreational or trail purposes. At this time, the use of gas transmission corridors is not a viable option for Town greenways.
Recently,
Duke Power has more strictly enforced its prohibition of allowing facilities
such as roads and trails to be built within the easements. They generally allow
uses that cross easements but not ones that follow the course of an easement.
Any use of these easements would require permission from the utility. Cross-country transmission rights-of-way
controlled by Duke Power Company may provide a viable opportunity to locate
bicycle trails or pedestrian paths as part of the Town greenway system. There
are several public trails currently located within Duke Power transmission
corridors in municipalities around the state. Shared uses proposed within
transmission corridors in Chapel Hill would be evaluated by Duke Power Company
on a site specific basis.
The Town should explore the feasibility of utilizing these transmission
corridors to augment its planned greenways to the greatest extent allowed by
Duke Power. Several options within Chapel Hill are currently being
assessed by Town staff.
For example,
there are two overhead power line corridors which exhibit rather typical
characteristics and are located in the northwest part of Town. They could
serve as a desirable pedestrian link, roughly paralleling Airport Road between
the Timberlyne Shopping Center area, adjacent office development and several
residential neighborhoods.
Stateside
Drive to Kingston Drive
This corridor
is somewhat narrow, ranging from 50 to 68 feet in width, and is comprised
predominantly of dry, stable soils. The corridor is of a moderate gradient.
Steep slopes occur at some of its intersection with existing roads. It is
predominantly cleared, grassed, with some young tree growth encroaching on its
sides. There are 24 private property owners within the corridor. Several lawn
areas, gardens, fences and small structures exist within the transmission
easement, at times creating an impediment to clear passage. Many of the single
family homes are quite visible from the corridor and would require significant
buffering to assure their privacy should a public trail be considered.
A natural surface path
has been formed by bicycle and foot traffic already using the corridor near the
Kingston Drive crossing. This path is however, interrupted by several fences
placed within the corridor.
Kingston
Drive to Weaver Dairy Road
This corridor
segment is relatively open, flat, and well maintained with a grass cover.
Fourteen private property owners, a mix of office and single family residences,
are directly within the corridor. These properties are somewhat better
buffered from the clearing than those in the southern segment. Assuring
adequate screening and privacy would still be of considerable importance.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should further investigate the potential for shared use easements with Duke
Power
2. These
options to incorporate power transmission corridors into the greenway system
should be studied further by the Town, recognizing the potential difficulties
in resolving privacy issues.
Proposed Man-Made Corridors
There are three
four Man-Made Corridors currently proposed or built within the Chapel Hill greenways system - the Rail Trail, North Trail, portions of NC 54, and
Meadowmont Trail. These trail corridors have the potential to provide
significant trail opportunities as well as potential linkage with planned
greenways in neighboring municipalities and regional trails.
Bicycle paths were added to both sides of NC 54 in conjunction with the development of Meadowmont. The paths could be continued both to the east and to the west to increase bicycle and pedestrian use of this important corridor. Westward extensions could serve the UNC campus. Eastward extensions to the Town Limits could provide eventual links to the New Hope Corridor and the American Tobacco Trail.
Potential for Trail Development
The existing paths could be easily extended eastward to the extent of the Town’s jurisdiction and the beginning of Durham’s jurisdiction, especially if extensions are completed as part of new development or re-development of property.
The paths could also be extended to the west. The trail could be extended relatively easily on the south side of NC 54 to Glenwood Square. The north side of the road presents greater problems due to pre-existing development.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Pre-existing development would make extensions difficult in some areas west of Meadowmont.
2. The Highway 15-501/NC 54 intersection is busy with numerous turning movements by vehicles, often at high speeds. This situation lessens the viability of the corridor as a bicycle/pedestrian corridor to the UNC campus and the downtown area.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Eastward expansion to Durham’s jurisdiction would be relatively easy to accomplish.
Recommendations
1. Require extension of the existing paths with each new development or re-development along NC 54.
2. When appropriate, the Town and NCDOT should perform a study of the NC 54 corridor to determine if changes can be made to increase safety and bicycle/pedestrian access to the UNC campus and the downtown. See page ????
NORTH TRAIL (INTERSTATE TRAIL)
The presence of Interstate 40 in the northern portion of Chapel Hill offers a unique opportunity to preserve an approximately five miles long buffer along the Interstate highway and to construct sections of bicycle and pedestrian-only trails adjacent to the highway right-of way. The greenway corridor is almost entirely free of development at this time, and only one subdivision, Chandler’s Green, has constructed dwelling units within the corridor.
A greenway
corridor could be preserved along the entire length of I-40, from the Town
limits to the intersection of I-40 and Highway 15-501. It is possible to build
a trail from the site of the proposed Town Operations Center in the
northwest quadrant of Town the western Town limits north of Eubanks Road to the junction of Interstate 40 and Erwin Road. The greenway corridor could
provide additional buffering between the highway and present and future
residents and businesses. This corridor could also preserve the wooded
appearance of Interstate 40 and benefit travelers using the highway. The
corridor is identified in this report as being a 100-foot or wider strip of
land adjacent to the south side of the I-40 right-of-way.
Development of a trail along most of the Interstate would be relatively easy. Much of the land has reasonable topography with few steep or wet areas to contend with. The trail would not be suited for nature study due to the noise level next to the highway. However, portions would be ideally located for a paved trail to provide bicyclists and pedestrians a safe route to travel across the northern portion of Town. The trail would cross only three major roads: Erwin Road, Sunrise Road, and NC 86 (Airport Road). In addition, the trail could connect to several other trails including the trail planned by Durham County as recommended by the New Hope Corridor Master Plan. This trail is discussed in the “Dry Creek” section, page ?????. The Durham trail would also be a paved trail accessible by bicycles.
ΠNORTH TRAIL:
Town Limits Millhouse
Road (Town
Operations Center) to NC 86
This section
begins north of Eubanks Road at Millhouse Road and the Town Operation Center. The corridor would follow the Interstate east to NC 86.
Resource Protection
The Town
currently controls the site of the Town Operation Center. Other properties
would be required. none of the corridor. The Town's greatest opportunity for
land acquisition will come as the corridor is developed. It would be
beneficial to reach an agreement with the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) which would allow the trail to occupy the Interstate
right-of-way in areas where additional land could not be obtained.
Potential for Trail Development
This section of
the trail corridor would present no unusual difficulties to trail development.
An opportunity exists to tie the North Trail into the Rail Trail north of Eubanks Road. at the Town Operations Center. The primary difficulty would involve
crossing NC 86.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Over 5,000
feet of land Land acquisition east of the Town Operations Center would be required. All of the required land is in private ownership.
2. It may be
difficult for trail users to safely merge the trail with cross
NC 86.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are few physical constraints to trail construction.
Recommendations
1. Easements and land should be acquired as opportunities arise.
1. A study should be undertaken to determine the best method for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross NC 86. It appears that a crossing utilizing a pedestrian refuge and pedestrian activated signals may be the most likely method of crossing this wide and busy road.
2. The Town
should work with NCDOT to acquire rights to develop within the Interstate
right-of-way.
3. Once the land rights are acquired, the Town should build a Class 6 trail.
NORTH TRAIL:
NC 86 to Sunrise Road
This section would stretch from NC 86 at its junction with I-40 to Sunrise Road. There are no current or planned developments within the 100 ft. greenway corridor. Segments of the trail, or spur trails, could be located south of the 100 ft buffer within easements provided by developers. This section of greenway is important as a potential transportation route for pedestrians and bicyclists. The proposed trail could provide safe transport to proposed shopping and business facilities along NC 86, Cedar Falls Park on Weaver Dairy Road, and residential developments that border the corridor. The potential exists for allowing numerous multi-family condominiums and apartment complexes to build private trails that would connect directly into the trail. The Circle-the-Triangle Trail is proposed to connect to Chapel Hill via Sunrise Road, thus providing the North Trail a direct tie-in to a larger regional trail system.
Resource Protection
The Town
currently controls only one segment of the corridor, an easement that is 100
feet wide. The easement begins
Future trails have been provided for at only two locations at this time. The
first lies on property owned by the Carol Woods Retirement Community and begins
at Sunrise Road. and It stretches approximately 2,500 feet to
the west along the I-40 corridor. The second is located on the Vilcom
Development property. The Town's greatest opportunity for additional land
and easement acquisition will come as the corridor is developed. It may be
possible that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) would
allow the trail to occupy the Interstate right-of-way in areas where land could
not be obtained.
Potential for Trail Development
This section of the trail corridor would present no unusual trail building difficulties.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Over
5,000 feet of Some additional land acquisition would be required. All
of the required land is in private ownership.
2. It may be
difficult to safely merge the trail with NC 86. It would be difficult to
join the segments of the North Trail that would lie east and west of NC 86.
3. The trail intersection with Sunrise Road is at a very steep fill slope where Sunrise Road crosses over the Interstate. ADA compliance may be difficult.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Few physical limitations to trail construction exist within the corridor.
Recommendations
1. Easements and land should be acquired as opportunities arise.
2. The Town
should work with NCDOT to acquire rights to develop within the Interstate
right-of-way.
3. Explore potential acquisition of land or easements beyond the 100 ft. corridor on either side of Sunrise Road in order to negotiate the fill slope.
4. Once the land rights are acquired, the Town should build a Class 6 trail.
Ž NORTH TRAIL:
The proposed corridor and trail would continue in much the same fashion as those sections further west, except that the trail would be built to a Class 3 standard. From Sunrise Road, the trail would continue over easy ground to Erwin Road. The section has few topographic problems; however one major development has already been built within the 100 ft. greenway corridor. The trail would allow current and future residents and businesses the opportunity to access Cedar Falls Park and the proposed regional, Circle-the-Triangle Trail.
Resource Protection
The Town
currently controls little of the corridor only the eastern end of the
corridor. The Town's greatest opportunity for addition land and easement
acquisition will come as the corridor is developed. It may be possible that
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) would allow the trail to
occupy the Interstate right-of-way in areas where land could not be obtained.
Potential for Trail Development
No unusual trail-building difficulties for trails up to Class 3, exist within the 100 ft. corridor, although this segment is characterized by a long, rather uniform slope. The Chandler's Green subdivision has built units within the 100 ft. corridor. In order to bypass Chandler's Green, it may be necessary to build the trail within the NCDOT right-of-way. The trail could connect into several other trails including a proposed trail along Dry Creek, Durham's proposed trail along Dry Creek on the north side of Interstate 40, the Circle-the-Triangle Trail, and the Rail Trail.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Over 7,000
5,000 feet of land acquisition would be required. All of the
required land is in private ownership.
2. It may be difficult to secure a public access along the section controlled by Chandler's Green.
3. The long sustained slope may make ADA compliance difficult.
4. The trail intersection with Sunrise Road is at a very steep fill slope where Sunrise Road crosses over the Interstate. ADA compliance at this crossing may be difficult.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. There are some
few physical constraints to trail construction if the proposed trail
is constructed at a Class 3 level.
Recommendations
1. Easements and land should be acquired as opportunities arise.
2. The Town should work with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to acquire rights to develop within the Interstate right-of-way.
3. Explore potential acquisition of land or easements beyond the 100 ft. corridor on either side of Sunrise Road in order to negotiate fill slope.
4. Once the land rights are acquired, the Town should build a Class 3 trail.
NORTH TRAIL:
This area is described as part of the Dry Creek Trail. See page ???.
The proposed
corridor would continue until it merged with Highway 15-501.
Resource
Protection
The Town
currently controls none of the corridor along this section. The Town's
greatest opportunity for addition land and easement acquisition will come as
the corridor is developed.
Potential
for Trail Development
The extent of
low-lying, flood-prone areas and wetlands will make trail construction in this
corridor difficult.
Summary of
Constraints for
Potential
Trail Development
1. Over
4,500 feet of land acquisition would be required. All of the required land is
in private ownership.
2. There are
extensive physical constraints to trail development.
Recommendations
1. Easements
and land should be acquired as opportunities arise.
2. Once the
land rights are acquired, the Town should preserve the corridor as an unimproved
Class 1 greenway.
The proposed
Meadowmont Trail alignment does not follow a specific natural feature of the
land, but is was planned as a man-made corridor. The alignment
of the corridor is proposed to be shaped by the urban pattern of roads
and lots created within the Meadowmont subdivision plans. It would
provide provides an important transportation and recreational link
within Chapel Hill’s largest proposed mixed-use business and residential
development. The Meadowmont Trail would be was constructed by
the developer of the project.
Resource Protection
The Chapel Hill Town
Council has approved a greenway corridor as part of the master land use
plan for Meadowmont. In addition, the developer dedicated a ????? acre park
that is primarily stream bottom and open space with some natural surface trails
and a 22 acre school site that is home to the Rashkis Elementary School and two
athletic fields operated by the Town. has agreed to dedicate a
22.04-acre middle school site and a 71.9-acre park site. The future Town-owned
park would allow allows for the protection of extensive wetlands
and steep slopes.
Potential for Trail Development
The trail has been
completed. It The greenway
corridor is proposed to extend
extends from the future Town park site near Little Creek, through
the future Rashkis school site, continue southward through
the nearly 425-acre planned community and cross crosses NC 54 to
access the remainder of the development. The trail crossing at NC 54 would
require is accomplished via a tunnel to be constructed. Connections
to the proposed Little Creek Trail were also provided are also
possible.
Proposed The developer also built bicycle paths
lanes along NC 54. These could eventually be part of a complete
an eastward connection with future Durham trails, including possible links
to the New Hope Corridor and the American Tobacco Trail as well as a segment
of an eventual bicycle connection to UNC campus and the Chapel Hill downtown.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should continue to work with the developer to assure the trail is constructed
to proper Class 6 design standards.
2. The As
opportunities arise the Town should pursue extensions of the bicycle paths a
connection with proposed bicycle routes paralleling both sides of NC 54. These
extensions should be encouraged to the east toward the American Tobacco Trail
and to the west toward UNC campus. and their potential connection with
future Durham trail development as it occurs.
A spur of the Norfolk Southern Railroad leaves the main rail line near Hillsborough and trends southeast to Chapel Hill. The line serves the needs of the University of North Carolina co-generation plant and extends over 4.1 miles along this potential greenway.
ΠRAIL TRAIL:
Estes Drive Extension to Homestead Road Chapel Hill High School
This section of the proposed trail would start at the end of Chapel Hill’s planned Bolin Creek Trail and the beginning of Carrboro’s proposed Bolin Creek Trail. The segment would provide direct access to several neighborhoods and the University’s proposed Carolina North Campus. Side trails could serve Seawell Elementary School, Smith Middle School, and Chapel Hill High School. It would end at Homestead Road.
This section
of the proposed trail would provide pedestrian and bicycle access for students
of Seawell Elementary School and the Chapel Hill High School. The trail would
also serve future University facilities within the Horace Williams Tract and
future neighborhoods.
Resource Protection
The University currently controls most of the land outside
of the railroad right-of-way, and may develop the majority of the 1,013-acre
Horace Williams Tract at some future date. The University has recently
completed a conceptual master plan for future land uses on this property. Over
1.25 miles of the proposed Rail Trail is within the Horace Williams Tract. See
Figure ???.
The legal status of the railroad right-of-way should be watched carefully. If the Norfolk Southern Railroad ever moves to abandon the spur, the Town should be prepared to move quickly to have the easement banked for future rail use. Banked rail easements can be used for trail purposes until such time as they are required for rail purposes.
Potential for Trail Development
The physical limitations of trail development are few, but the legal and ownership problems are many. The trail would most likely be developed on the east side of the tracks either on the railroad right-of-way or on land that is owned predominantly by the University. At one or more points, it would cross the tracks to gain access to Seawell Elementary, Smith Middle, and Chapel Hill High schools.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. Over 7,000 feet of land or easement acquisition would be required. Most of the required land is owned by the University.
2. It would likely be necessary to negotiate access with the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Crossings of the tracks might require expensive safety precautions.
3. The best location for an exit onto Homestead Road is uncertain at this time.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. Except for the area immediately adjacent to Estes Drive Extension and the Ironwoods Subdivision, the grade is less than 5%.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should work with the University to ensure that the University builds its
segment of the Rail Trail as part of the construction of the Carolina North
campus. acquire all necessary easements along the right-of-way.
2.
Negotiations with the Norfolk Southern Railroad to acquire rights to develop
within the railroad right-of-way should be started when the Town is prepared to
develop a trail.
3. In the event that the Norfolk Southern Railroad attempts to abandon the railroad spur, the Town should work to see that it is banked and used for trail purposes until a need for a rail use arises in the future.
4. The Town should be flexible in its approach to locating the best point for accessing Homestead Road. All possible locations should be preserved as properties are developed. One likely location could be through the University’s frontage on Homestead Road. Another location could be through lots east of the rail corridor. A third possibility would be via a crossing of the rail line and an extension of the trail trough Town property to Homestead Road.
5. The project should include crosswalks and a pedestrian refuge to allow safe crossings of Homestead Road.
RAIL TRAIL:
Chapel Hill High School to Eubanks Road the
Chapel Hill Line
The trail would continue from Homestead Road past a Town owned recreation/open space area, a proposed connector trail to the Upper Booker Creek Trail, the Greene Tract, and several neighborhoods to Eubanks Road.
This section
of the proposed trail enters an area that is relatively undeveloped. The
tracks pass over Homestead Road and Eubanks Road until they leave the Town
jurisdiction. It is anticipated that these areas will be developed at some
future date.
Resource Protection
The Town
controls almost all none of the land along the tracks. Only
one parcel is currently missing. The Town can likely preserve a trail corridor
on that tract when the property is developed in the future. The Town
should be prepared to act swiftly to preserve the corridor in the event that
the railroad should abandon the line.
Potential for Trail Development
The physical
limitations of trail development in this section are few, but legal and
ownership problems abound. Trail development could take place on either
side of the tracks once past Homestead Road. An important connection could be
made from the Rail Trail to the North Trail in the vicinity of Old Field Creek.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. All of
the required One parcel of land is in private ownership.
2. It would be necessary to negotiate access with the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Crossings of the tracks to access the Greene Tract might require expensive safety precautions.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. The land has little topographical relief.
2. Most of the corridor is in Town ownership.
Recommendations
1. The Town
should work with the one remaining owner or developer developers
to acquire the last required easement. all necessary easements along the
tracks.
2. The Town
should work with the Norfolk Southern Railroad to acquire rights to develop
within the railroad right-of-way.
3. In the event that the Norfolk Southern Railroad attempts to abandon the railroad spur, the Town should work to see that it is banked and used for trail purposes until a need for a rail use arises in the future.
Ž RAIL TRAIL:
Eubanks Road to Millhouse Road
The trail would continue from Eubanks Road through the Town’s northern park and ride lot to the Town Operations Center. The trail would terminate at Millhouse Road just south of I-40.
Resource Protection
The Town controls almost all none of the land in this section. Only one parcel is currently missing. The Town can likely preserve a trail corridor on that tract when the property is developed in the future. The Town should be prepared to act swiftly to preserve the rail corridor in the event that the railroad should abandon the line.
Potential for Trail Development
The physical limitations of trail development in this section are few. An important connection could be made from the Rail Trail to the North Trail in the vicinity of Old Field Creek.
Summary of Constraints for Potential Trail Development
1. One parcel of land is in private ownership.
2. It would be necessary to build a portion of the trail on the existing park and ride lot property.
2. It would be necessary to negotiate a crossing access with the Norfolk Southern Railroad to allow trail access to Millhouse Road.
Summary of Factors Favorable for Potential Trail Development
1. The land has little topographical relief.
2. Most of the corridor is in Town ownership.
Recommendations
1. The Town should work with the one remaining owner or developer developers to acquire the last required easement.
2. The Town should work with the Norfolk Southern Railroad to acquire rights cross the railroad right-of-way at Millhouse Road.
3. In the event that the Norfolk Southern Railroad attempts to abandon the railroad spur, the Town should work to see that it is banked and used for trail purposes until a need for a rail use arises in the future.
Connector Trails
Connector Trails are important components to the Chapel Hill greenway system providing continuity to open space corridors and increasing overall accessibility to Town’s trails. Connector Trails may be major trails or minor neighborhood connectors. They may help link the greenway network with other Town recreation areas, public facilities and residential areas.
As greenway trails along the primary stream corridors become developed and evolve into major recreational amenities, it will become increasingly important to ensure pedestrian access to neighboring residential areas. Connector trails along minor tributaries, creeks and other linear features may provide such a means. Effective connecting routes may also be made by utilizing abandoned road rights of-way, sidewalks, bridges, pedestrian tunnels or designated bicycle routes to complement the greenway trail system. Efforts to preserve, acquire and develop these important connectors should be given high priority.
Future connector trails leading to the major greenway corridors or other Town facilities should be reviewed on the following criteria:
· The desire of neighborhoods to be connected.
·
The existence of
land or sidewalk facilities available for connection.
As part of the Town’s subdivision approval process, all Connector Trail corridors should be required to be on Town-owned property or be controlled by a homeowners association, rather than on easements crossing private residential lots. Recent history has shown that many easement situations have become unworkable over time and inaccessible to the public.
Major
Connectors
Completed,
Class 3 natural surface trail located within the 51-acre Cedar Falls Park. The trail totals approximately 1.2 miles and provides important neighborhood connections
to the park’s recreational facilities as well as passive recreation
opportunities.
The main loop
trail has some steep slopes and rocky areas and a boardwalk section over a
creek tributary. It merges with the park’s internal network of unpaved paths
and paved accessways. One of these paths is the .6 mile long Jo Peeler Nature
Trail. The nature trail was dedicated in 1980 and is jointly maintained by the
Town and the Lake Forest Garden Club.
Trail spurs
to the main Cedar Falls Trail loop connect the Lake Forest neighborhood at Lakeshore Lane and Cedar Falls neighborhood at Roundtree Road, Cedar Fork Trail and Village Lane. The trail and park offer an open space link northward to the campus of East Chapel Hill High School. (See page 21. Also Figure 2).
Old Field
Creek is a small stream, with many branches, which drains a compact area north
of Eubanks Road and southwest of Interstate 40. The over one-half mile stream
corridor is mostly undeveloped and surrounded by woodland and some
agriculture. The creek flows northward; under I-40 into Orange County where it joins the upper reaches of New Hope Creek.
Old Field
Creek, with trail development along its entire length of less than one-half
mile, could act as an important connector between the proposed Rail Trail and
North Trail. This connection would not only create a vital link between the
system’s longest Man-Made Corridor trails, but would indirectly connect the
Bolin Creek Greenway network with the Booker Creek Corridor. (See pages
51-57. Also Figure 10).
Recommendations
1. Acquire
easements and land as opportunities arise.
2. Once the
Rail Trail and the North Trail are completed, a connector trail along Old Field
Creek should be constructed.
3. The trail
should be built as a Class 6 trail.
As greenway
trails along the primary stream corridors become developed and evolve into a
major recreational amenity, it will become increasingly important to ensure
pedestrian access to neighboring residential areas. Connector trails along
minor tributaries, creeks and other linear features may provide such a means.
Effective connecting routes may also be made by utilizing abandoned road rights
of-way, sidewalks, bridges, pedestrian tunnels or designated bicycle routes to
complement the greenway trail system. Efforts to preserve, acquire and develop
these important connectors should be given high priority.
Future
connector trails leading to the major greenway corridors or other Town
facilities should be reviewed on the following criteria:
·
The desire of
neighborhoods to be connected.
·
The existence
of land or sidewalk facilities available for connection.
As part of
the Town’s subdivision approval process, all Connector Trail corridors should
be required to be on Town-owned property or be controlled by a homeowners
association, rather than on easements crossing private residential lots.
Recent history has shown that many easement situations have become unworkable
over time and inaccessible to the public.
PARK Trails
Previous greenway related documents did not deal directly with the importance or existence of trails within parks. Park trails provide important resources for neighborhood connectivity and recreation. Following is a list of current and planned trails within parks:
Completed, Class 3 natural surface trails located within the 51-acre Cedar Falls Park. The main trail totals approximately 1.2 miles and provides important neighborhood connections to the park’s recreational facilities as well as passive recreation opportunities.
The main loop trail has some steep slopes and rocky areas and a boardwalk section over a creek tributary. It merges with the park’s internal network of unpaved paths and paved accessways. One of these paths is the .6 mile long Jo Peeler Nature Trail. The nature trail was dedicated in 1980 and is jointly maintained by the Town and the Lake Forest Garden Club.
Trail spurs to the main Cedar Falls Trail loop connect the Lake Forest neighborhood at Lakeshore Lane and Cedar Falls neighborhood at Roundtree Road, Cedar Fork Trail and Village Lane. The trail and park offer an open space link northward to the campus of East Chapel Hill High School.
Recommendations
1. Cedar Falls is criss-crossed with numerous informal, unmarked trails. The large number of these trails coupled with the generally poor soils has produced erosion in several areas and an unattractive look. The Town should close redundant trails and sign those that remain.
2. Erosion and drainage problems should be addressed.
Completed. A short Class 3 natural surface trail links the active recreation area of the park to the rear of the adjacent Community Church and Purefoy Road.
Recommendations
1. The trail should be re-routed so that it exits onto Purefoy Road at a location that is more acceptable to the church.
2. Problems caused by repeated storms, erosion and poor drainage should be addressed.
Completed. A one mile long Class 3 natural surface trail circles the Library. Volunteers are used on a regular basis to upgrade sections of the trail. The long range plan envisions the trail system to be part of a passive park. The plan also envisions a significant public art component to be included throughout the park including the trail system.
Recommendations
1. Continue upgrading the trail as volunteers are available.
2. Complete the trail system and install art as soon as possible. This work would likely be tied to decisions related to expansion of the Chapel Hill Library and the adjacent Siena Hotel.
Completed. Currently a 1.5 mile long Class 3 natural surface loop trail circles the property. When the park is developed some of the old trail system will likely be replaced with a paved greenway trail that will allow park users to access the various park amenities.
Recommendations
1. Extend the existing Fan Branch Trail to at least Dogwood Acres Drive as part of Phase I of the park development.
2. Improve the remaining Class 3 trails to eliminate erosion and drainage problems.
3. Add Class 3 trails as need dictates after completion of Phase One of the park.
CURRENT CAPITAL RENOVATION NEEDS
The following existing trails have large enough maintenance needs that they exceed that ability of the Town’s Public Works Department to address the issues as part of routine maintenance. Rather the costs would be large enough to fall within the realm of capital expenditures. Most of these trails are natural surface, which tend to have greater maintenance needs than paved trails.
ΠBATTLE BRANCH TRAIL
Most of the bridges and boardwalk sections on this trail are nearing the limit of their useful life span. In addition, some areas have excessive erosion that could be controlled with proper drainage.
BOLIN CREEK TRAIL
The trail suffers from damage related to several storms. Although not severe in any one place the repair of all erosion areas would constitute a capital renovation project if dealt with in one effort.
Ž CEDAR FALLS PARK TRAILS
The park requires a complete trail renovation effort including a variety of solutions depending on location that include: relocation, closure, and renovation. After work is complete proper signage would make it easier to walk the trails and manage the property.
TANYARD BRANCH TRAIL
This trail contains several areas impacted by excessive erosion that could be controlled with proper drainage. The damage is severe in places and has resulted in the loss or near loss of steps.
Trail Intersection Recommended Solution
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Bolin Creek |
Airport Road |
Underpass- use existing culvert if possible. Install new pedestrian culvert if necessary
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Bolin Creek |
Bolin Creek |
Underpass. If underpass is not technically feasible provide pedestrian refuge.
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Bolin Creek |
Pritchard Avenue and Umstead Drive |
The potential need for underpasses or other solutions should be determined in the concept plan study anticipated to start in 2005.
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Fan Branch |
Dogwood Acres Drive |
Transfer control of road from NCDOT to the Town in order to allow traffic calming and lowered speed limits.
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Dry Creek |
Erwin Road |
Provide pedestrian crossing and pedestrian refuge at the point the Dry Creek Trail crosses Erwin Road.
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Dry Creek |
Erwin Road and I-40 |
Expand the Erwin Road Bridge over I-40 to include sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
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Lower Booker Creek |
Franklin Street |
Underpass to link WCHL tower property with Eastgate Shopping Center
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Lower Booker Creek |
Elliott Road and Fordham Boulevard |
The best solution would be a rebuild that would eliminate the Elliott Road culvert and would provide a pedestrian underpass of Fordham Boulevard. A temporary solution for pedestrian crossing should include a pedestrian refuge.
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NC 54 Bicycle Paths |
Fordham Boulevard and NC 54 |
An engineering study should be performed to determine what improvements related to bicycle and pedestrian safety could be made to the intersection and the approaches to the intersection.
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North Trail |
NC 86 and Eubanks Road |
An engineering study should be performed to determine what improvements could be made to allow safe pedestrian/bicycle crossings of NC 86. An at grade crossing utilizing pedestrian activated signals and a pedestrian refuge may be the most feasible method of crossing the road.
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North Trail |
I-40 between Sunrise Road and Erwin Road |
Secure permission to build a Class 3 trail within the I-40 ROW to avoid private property of Chandlers Green.
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North Trail |
Sunrise Road |
Pedestrian/bicycle crossing with pedestrian refuge.
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Rail Trail |
Seawell School Road |
Pedestrian/bicycle crossing with pedestrian refuge.
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Rail Trail |
Homestead Road |
Pedestrian/bicycle crossing with pedestrian refuge.
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Rail Trail |
Eubanks Road |
Pedestrian/bicycle crossing with pedestrian refuge.
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Regional and Local Coodination
Linkage with Regional and Local Trail Systems
The proposed Chapel Hill trail network can be extended beyond the borders of the Town by connecting into regional and statewide trail systems being planned by other agencies and organizations. The major trails being planned include:
Town of Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro, in its 1994 Recreation and Parks Comprehensive Master Plan, identifies three
potential greenway linkages with the Chapel Hill system. In addition,
new opportunities have been identified since the adoption of the 1994 Report.
Carrboro is currently in the process of revising its master plan.
Carrboro’s proposed Morgan Creek Greenway is envisioned to extend approximately 3 miles along the banks of Morgan Creek. The Carrboro trail would connect with Chapel Hill’s Morgan Creek Greenway at Smith Level Road and present an opportunity to link University Lake with Merritt Pasture.
It might be possible to provide a link from the Fan Branch Trail in Southern Village in Chapel Hill to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools third high school site in Carrboro.
Proposed extension of
the The Bolin Creek Greenway is
planned to stretch approximately seven miles through Carrboro, connecting
various future park sites. The trail would connect with the Town of Chapel Hill Bolin Creek Greenway at two locations: Seawell Elementary School and at Estes
Drive Extension.
It would be possible to connect the Bolin Creek Trail system to Carrboro via Chapel Hill’s Tanyard Branch Trail. Recently acquired Chapel Hill property would allow the Town to extend a portion of the Tanyard Branch Trail into Carrboro’s portion of the Northside neighborhood.
CHATHAM COUNTY
Currently, Chatham County does not have an active greenways plan or program. In the event that Chatham begins such a program the Town should be in a position to discuss options.
DURHAM CITY-COUNTY URBAN TRAILS AND GREENWAYS SYSTEM
Greenway connections linking Chapel Hill’s system with the Durham City-County Urban Trails and Greenways System are possible in two locations: Dry Creek and along Highway 54.
Dry Creek Connector: As described in the New Hope Corridor section above it would be possible to link Chapel Hill’s trail system with Durham’s via Dry Creek. If both jurisdictions make critical linkages it would be possible to access the New Hope Trail which lead toward the Korstian Division of Duke Forest and the proposed Hollow Rock Trail access area. The proposed Mud Creek Greenway would provide a connection with Duke Forest and the proposed Erwin- Cornwallis Regional Park. Sandy Creek Greenway would offer potential connection with the Durham Division of Duke Forest and the Third Fork Greenway, once built, would extend northward to downtown Durham.
Highway 54 and the American Tobacco Trail: The American Tobacco Trail is a partially completed off-road bicycle trail that would be located on the abandoned Norfolk Southern railroad corridor. It will eventually run for approximately 30 miles in a north to south direction connecting downtown Durham (at the Durham Athletic Park) to its terminus at the Chatham County Line. Connections are proposed to various parts of the Durham Urban Trail and Greenways system and the New Hope Corridor Trail. We believe the best way to tie Chapel Hill to the American Tobacco Trail would be off-road pedestrian/bicycle paths along Highway 54. The Town has provided the first phase of this facility as part of the Meadowmont development.
American Tobacco Trail
In 1992, the
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy sponsored a public-private partnership to
assemble a master plan to determine the feasibility of the proposed American
Tobacco Trail. The American Tobacco Trail is a proposed off-road bicycle trail
that would be constructed along the abandoned Norfolk Southern railroad
corridor. It would run for approximately 30 miles in a north to south
direction connecting downtown Durham (at the Durham Athletic Park) to its terminus at the Chatham County Line. Connections are proposed to various parts of
the Durham Urban Trail and Greenways system and the New Hope Corridor Trail.
Subsequent to
that study, the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has proposed the potential
for creating a link with the Chapel Hill greenway system, specifically along
Little Creek and Bolin Creek.
New Hope Corridor
In 1989, the Town of Chapel Hill agreed to share the costs of a study of the New Hope Creek corridor. The intent of the study was to investigate the entire New Hope Creek, Mud Creek and Dry Creek corridors, stretching from Duke Forest north of Chapel Hill and southward along Durham County’s western boundary to Jordan Lake.
The study made recommendations to preserve certain key portions of the corridor as open space, including the historic Leigh Farm near the intersection of Interstate 40 and NC 54 as well as recommendations for trail development. Proposed is the acquisition of over 1,800 acres of land and the construction of approximately 20 miles of recreational trails
The only trail
connection identified in the New Hope Open Space Master Plan that was directly
relevant to Chapel Hill was along Dry Creek, from its juncture with New Hope
Creek to its headwaters in Chapel Hill. The Dry Creek Trail Advisory
Committee has recently completed conceptual plans for this corridor. A
detailed description of the connection is available in the trail descriptions
of the North Trail and the Dry Creek Trail. (See pages ????).
The Town has acquired all land needed to complete the Town’s portion of the project except for one tract north of I-40. The Town has purchased or accepted donations over 201 acres of land along Dry Creek.
The Town has also started to build trails in the corridor. The Dry Creek Trail is now complete from San Juan Road to Perry Creek Road. The trail is also expected to be completed from San Juan Road to East Chapel Hill High School by 2005. A bridge could be installed as early as 2005 that would allow trails to be developed eastward to Erwin Road.
Connection
to Durham City-County Urban Trails and Greenways System
Greenway
connections linking Chapel Hill’s system with the Durham City-County Urban
Trails and Greenways System are possible via the New Hope Corridor. Beyond the
immediate connections to the proposed New Hope Trail itself, will be
intersecting trails leading to the Durham network. These include spurs of the
New Hope Trail which lead toward the Korstian Division of Duke Forest and the
proposed Hollow Rock Trail access area. The proposed Mud Creek Greenway would
provide a connection with Duke Forest and the proposed Erwin- Cornwallis Regional Park. Sandy Creek Greenway would offer potential connection with the
Durham Division of Duke Forest and the Third Fork Greenway, once built, would
extend northward to downtown Durham.
Circle-the-Triangle Trail
TRIANGLE GREENWAY COUNCIL
This regional
trail network is being planned, promoted and partially constructed by the
Triangle Greenways Council, a private, non-profit, group of Triangle citizens
who work on this ambitious project on a volunteer basis. The Council secures
land, builds trails, and coordinates its efforts with various greenway
agencies.
This private, non-profit organization is promoting the concept of a regional trail network throughout the Triangle. The system would link the various trail systems of each governmental jurisdiction in order to have trail interconnectivity through the region. The Council secures land, builds trails, and coordinates its efforts with various greenway agencies. Chapel Hill is an integral part of this proposed trail network.
A portion of
the proposed Circle-the-Triangle Trail is proposed to run from Duke Forest to the Chapel Hill greenways system. At this location, the trail would be sidewalk
and bicycle lanes. The Sunrise Road connector would allow hikers to gain
access from the Duke Forest section of the Circle-the-Triangle trail to the
North Trail and the trails in Cedar Falls Park. Hikers could then walk a short
distance on Town streets to gain access to the Booker Creek Trail.
Recommendations
1. Acquire
easements for bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
2. Require
developers to construct bicycle lanes and sidewalks as land is developed.
3. Complete the
sidewalk and bicycle lanes when resources are available.
1. Complete as many connections to neighboring jurisdictions as possible.
ORANGE COUNTY
Orange County has developed an active program of open space acquisition and trail planning since the adoption of the Town’s 1998 Greenways Master Plan. The Parks Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1988. Revisions to the plan were made in 1999 (Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Group report) and 2001 (Lands Legacy Action Plan. These plans have identified a possible series of trails that would link to the Town’s Rail Trail in Chapel Hill’s northwest area and into the Bolin Creek Trail that would serve the County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill. An update to the Parks Element is scheduled for 2005 as part of the larger Natural and Cultural Systems Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
Other Neighboring Jurisdictions
Orange County and Chatham County do not
currently have greenways trail programs. However, Chapel Hill should maintain
a cooperative approach in case these jurisdictions develop trail programs in
the future and provide greenway connections that are mutually beneficial.
Connections with Town Alternative Transportation Plans
As additional land in Chapel Hill is pressured by residential and commercial growth, transportation rights-of-way expanded to accommodate road widenings and extensions, and formerly “leftover” tracts of land within subdivisions become developed, the use of sidewalks, bicycle lanes and dedicated paths as part of the overall greenway system will become increasingly important.
The role of sidewalks and bikeways as interconnecting routes within the greenway system cannot be overstated. Providing useful links of neighborhoods to parks, other neighborhoods, schools and public buildings, these connectors are fundamental to providing pedestrian and bicycle access throughout Town. The acquisition of greenway easements and construction of sidewalk and other connector paths should be closely coordinated among Town departments.
Chapel Hill produced its first Bikeway Plan in 1977 and has since developed roadside bike paths and bike lanes. The first off-road bicycle path in Chapel Hill was built parallel to Fordham Boulevard near the Rainbow Soccer fields. Phase I of the Bolin Creek Greenway, created the first multi-use, combined bicycle and pedestrian greenway in Town. Existing bikeways have been mapped in relationship with the Town’s existing and planned greenways.
In 1993, Chapel Hill, as part of the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, adopted “The Regional Bicycle Plan for Durham and Orange Counties”. The plan presented options for bicycle connector routes throughout the area, including urban and rural bicycle routes. Connections from Chapel Hill to Durham, Research Triangle Park and Hillsborough were proposed utilizing a combination of roadside bicycle lanes and off-road bicycle paths.
Several major trails within the Chapel Hill greenways system are planned for pedestrian as well as off-road bicycle use. Potential connections with the planned Booker Creek Greenway as well as the continued development of the Bolin Creek Greenway create the most immediate opportunities for the Town greenway system to link with Town and regional bicycle planning initiatives.
There are several
specific linkages which may potentially increase connectivity among the Town’s
greenways and bikeways. Future off-road pedestrian/bike paths along NC 54
could provide valuable connections between the proposed Little Creek Greenway
and proposed Durham trails. (See pages ?????). Proposed bike paths
paralleling Fordham Boulevard may present future opportunities to connect the Morgan Creek and Bolin Creek greenways. Planned bike lanes to be constructed as
part of the current NC 86 improvements may link with existing bikeways allowing
a north-south connection between the Bolin Creek and Booker Creek greenway
systems. Continued development of Town bikeways could present additional
alternative transportation options.
Since the
publication of the Regional Bicycle Plan, additional Chapel Hill greenways
proposed for dual pedestrian and bicycle use, such as the Rail Trail and North
Trail, present an increased potential for greenway connections to be made with
broader bicycle / alternative transportation plans.
The Town is currently reviewing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan that presents a comprehensive look at non-motorized transportation in Town. The plan includes an overview of the greenway system as well as sidewalks and bicycle facilities. If it is adopted by the Council it will become the chief planning document for non-motorized vehicle transportation.
Cooperation with the University of North Carolina
The largest
single landowner within the Chapel Hill planning district is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The University controls significant
landholdings along the proposed Rail Trail, Bolin Creek, Booker Creek, Morgan Creek, Chapel Creek, and Meeting of the Waters Creek corridors. Because of the
tremendous amount of land involved, a complete, town-wide trail system would
require cooperation with the University. The University controls
significant landholdings along the proposed Rail Trail, Bolin Creek, Booker
Creek, Morgan Creek, Chapel Creek, and Meeting of the Waters Creek corridors.
The University has directly cooperated with the Town on one trail project, allowing the Town to construct a bridge and a short boardwalk for the Battle Branch Trail within Battle Park.
Carolina
North (formerly known as the Horace Williams Tract), Battle Park, and Mason
Farm The Horace
Williams and Mason Farm properties
are major undeveloped tracts of University-owned land, which may present
opportunities for cooperative University/Town, open space and greenway
interests to be pursued.
The Horace Williams
Tract is planned for a mix of University academic and support facilities. The
Mason Farm property is planned to remain primarily as a biological preserve.
As development plans for these satellite campus areas become formulated, the
Town is encouraged to take a proactive role in pursuing opportunities for
greenway linkages.
Carolina North is proposed to be a mix of University academic and support facilities. This property appears to be the most significant University tract in relation to the construction of a unified and contiguous trail system. Failure to provide trails across this large and vital property would result in a severed transportation system. If the University provides a trail connection across the property for the Rail Trail a trail of about 4.1 miles in length could be built that would link almost all of Chapel Hill from the Millhouse Road/I-40 intersection to Pinehurst Drive. Failure to secure trails across the property would result in a bisected trail system.
Battle Park currently contains the Battle Branch Trail, a class 3 trail that has served the area for over 40 years. The trail currently requires capital renovation at a minimum. Discussions have also addressed the possibility of paving the trail to serve as a transportation link to the UNC campus. The Town and the University are the two landowners that share the Battle Branch Trail. A cooperative effort should be made to first determine the level of improvements that would be suitable. Once the level of desired improvements is agreed upon the two entities should then develop a joint plan to implement improvements.
The Mason Farm property is planned to remain primarily as a biological preserve. If opportunities for trail development arise the Town should work with the University to implement trail development to serve non-motorized vehicle transportation needs.
The Department of Facilities Planning and
Design at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has prepared a
document which describes the University’s greenway and open space preservation
efforts. This report outlines several long-term planning studies and describes
campus open spaces and outlying properties whose missions support the
objectives of the Town’s Greenways Program – that is, to provide quality recreational
facilities, preserve open space and offer transportation alternatives to the
automobile. The report entitled, “1998 Update to the Greenways Commission”, is
attached as Appendix C of this Master Plan.
IMPLEMENTATION POLICIES
The Chapel Hill greenways program has two ambitious goals. First, the program would preserve an extensive network of open spaces. Second, the program would provide walking and bicycling trails within some of these linear open spaces.
The public perception of a greenways program is often that of a trail building effort only. In Chapel Hill, the Town Council appointed the Greenways Commission to work toward achieving the above goals which encompass the preservation of land, water, quality of life, wildlife, and the charm of Chapel Hill as a community that lives well with the natural environment.
Trail building and land acquisition are inherently interrelated. Without adequate land, trails cannot be built. However land that deserves protection of important ecosystems may not be the best land for recreational trails. Trail building is an exciting aspect of the greenways program, and is one that requires coordination with a variety of goals set forth by the Council. Further, the greenways program will find itself in perennial competition for allocation of funds needed for park land, athletic fields and other public purposes.
A consistent approach to the acquisition of public land and easements is important for the creation and preservation of greenway corridors and connectors and the creation of urban trails. The Town should be prepared to sustain a long-range land acquisition program until the goals of the greenway program have been met.
In its efforts to acquire land and easements for greenways, open space, and trail building, the Town must deal with land availability, high land costs, and competitive bidding with private developers. Chapel Hill has one of the most expensive real estate markets in North Carolina. Land in Chapel Hill tends to be in high demand for private development, which results in premium real estate prices. These high prices tend to remain elevated even during periods of relative recession.
The Town's ability to compete for land depends on its ability to raise or maintain the cash reserves necessary to purchase key parcels of land as they come on the real estate market. If cash reserves earmarked for the purchase of land are low, the Town may not have the financial means to purchase land at the critical moment that it is available for sale. In such a case, the land may be lost to private development.
Substantial tracts of land and easements are needed to complete the greenways system. While outright purchase is the only practical method for the acquisition of some lands, many other acquisition options exist. It is fortunate that the very types of lands that are important for greenways and trail development are often considered marginal or unusable for private development. Lands needed for the Town's greenways system may be located in the Resource Conservation District (RCD), or on steep slopes. Such lands may on occasion constitute a tax burden to some landowners. The Town may take advantage of this situation by the use of alternate land acquisition methods that could benefit the Town and the private landowner. Several important acquisition methods are listed below:
1. Fee simple Purchase
The outright purchase of
property is an important method for acquiring greenway land. When possible,
land purchases should be made in advance of development in order to take
advantage of lower prices.
2. Mandatory Dedication of Recreation Areas
The Town's
Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO)
Development Ordinance requires developers of major subdivisions, as
stipulated in Section 17.9, to dedicate a portion of a project's dry and
flat land for active recreation purposes. Greenways land may be substituted
for high and dry land when appropriate. The Town has been very successful in
acquiring land and protecting greenways through the provisions of the
Development Ordinance (which predated the LUMO). Several creative
methods of using the Development Ordinance LUMO exist:
A.
Payment-in-Lieu - The Development Ordinance LUMO
contains a provision that allows payment of money in-lieu of dedication of
land. Under certain conditions the Town may not desire the dedication of land
on certain construction sites. In some cases the Town would be better served
if money were received in-lieu of land dedication. The money received from
payment-in-lieu could be used to buy land in other nearby locations or
make improvements. The payment-in-lieu option outlined in the Development
Ordinance LUMO has been used in only a few isolated cases.
B.
Off-Site
Dedication - The Development
Ordinance LUMO contains a provision that allows developers to
dedicate land off-site. With this method the developer would provide land of
equal value at another location. In many situations, the developer of a tract
may own land that is dry, level, and entirely developable. If the property is
near a park; has little or no importance as open space, greenways, or park
land; or would be difficult to develop as a park or greenway due to size or
configuration constraints, it may be in the best interests of the developer and
the Town to consider off-site dedication. The Town greenways program has
already benefited from this method by acquiring important parcels along the Dry
Creek, Bolin Creek and Tanyard Branch greenways. The Town should encourage
off-site dedication when appropriate.
3. Gift
In the past, the Town has benefited greatly from gifts of land or easements. A North Carolina State tax credit is available to persons donating land to governmental agencies. Gifts should be pursued whenever possible. In some cases gifts may come with simple or extensive conditions for use of the land.
4. Exchange of Land
In some cases, it may be possible to exchange unused Town-owned land for private property or property held by other governmental agencies. In this way, the Town may be able to trade idle land for property, which is desired for open space, greenways, and parks purposes.
5. Purchase or Gift of Easement
Easements are legally recorded rights to use land in a specific way; such as the right to locate sewers, electric power lines, gas lines, roads, and other purposes. Three types of easements are of special concern to the greenways program:
•
Conservation
easements are usually given by landowners to prevent development.
•
Pedestrian, motorized
wheelchair, and non-motorized vehicle easements are granted to allow the public
to walk or ride wheelchairs and bicycles across private land.
• Construction easements are usually temporary and allow access for construction activities.
It is important to realize that one form of easement does not automatically include another use. For instance, sewer easements cannot legally be used for public pedestrian purposes unless that right is specifically given to the public by the owner of the property.
The donor or seller of an easement retains title to the land, pays taxes on the property, and may use the land for any purpose not inconsistent with the use of the easement. For example, the owner of the property may not build a fence across a public pedestrian easement. Easements may be given for a specific number of years or in perpetuity. A person donating an easement may be eligible for substantial tax benefits from both the state and federal governments.
The Town has acquired many public pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle easements on various greenways segments. By acquiring easements, the Town can avoid the costly process of buying land. Easements leave the lands in private hands for private purposes, allowing the Town to continue to receive taxes on the property. Some landowners are more receptive to the idea of donating or selling easements rather than selling fee-simple title to land.
6. Reserved Life Estate
Reserved life estates are gifts of land that the donor may use until he or she dies. In most cases, donors continue to live on a tract of land until their death. Reserved life estate agreements are usually structured such that heirs may not inherit or use the property after the donor’s death. This form of gift has tax benefits, but is generally used only by persons who are absolutely certain they do not wish to pass on property to relatives or friends after their death. This method has not been used in Chapel Hill as of this time; however it has been used by other governmental agencies with some degree of success.
7. Bargain Sale
In this form of sale, the owner of the property sells it at a price below market value. The lost capital gain, which is the appraised value less the sale price, is taken as a tax deduction. Persons interested in aiding the greenways program may do so and benefit from a reduction in taxes. North Carolina State tax credits can be used with bargain sales under certain conditions.
8. Rent and Leaseback
It may be possible to purchase land well in advance of its need as a park or greenway. In some cases it may be possible to lease or rent the land back to its previous owner, or another party, for use until it is needed. The activity allowed under the lease should be consistent with its future use as park or greenway. For example, several houses on the Pritchard Park property were rented after purchase by the Town. The Town should take advantage of rent or leaseback opportunities whenever possible.
9. License to Use
The Town may wish to use or protect a property for a short period of time. A license to use may provide a temporary easement until such time as the Town can raise the necessary funds to purchase the land.
10. Condemnation
The Town of Chapel Hill has the right of eminent domain by which it may condemn a piece of property or an easement if all other attempts to acquire the land have failed. This process is adversarial and requires the Town to force the owner of a property to sell against his will. The process requires that both parties submit evidence and allow the judicial system to set the price at which the land will be sold. The nature of the process makes it a difficult, time consuming, and expensive way to purchase land. The use of condemnation should be used only after all other possible solutions have proved unsuccessful.
11. Tax Foreclosures
Occasionally lands useful for open space and greenways may be foreclosed due to failure of the private landowner to pay property taxes. This method may allow the Town to purchase land at a very low price.
FINANCING THE GREENWAYS PROGRAM
The establishment, growth, and maintenance of the Chapel Hill greenways system, its land and facilities, require both capital and operational funding. The extensive program of land acquisition and development of trails proposed in this Master Plan will entail large capital investment. Operation and maintenance will require annual budgeting of additional sums. Because of the magnitude of financial resources required, no single source of funds may be adequate and participation by a variety of entities and funding sources may be required.
Traditionally, financing for greenways property, easements and trails have come from the Town’s general Capital Improvement Fund, bond initiatives, grants from various State agencies and programs as well as from contributions from Town citizens. In addition to these sources, the demands placed by future building programs will require the Town to explore alternative programs and combinations of sources to meet future demands.
From FY
1985-86 until FY 1997-1998 the Chapel Hill Greenways Program has received
funding, or commitments for funding in the amount of $1,804,150. These funds
include Town capital improvement funds, general obligation bonds and grants.
In November 1996, the voters of Chapel Hill approved the sale of $3 million in
general obligation bonds for the purchase of open space land.
Funding
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*
These funds were appropriated from the $2.5 million 1986 Parks and Open Space
bond.
**
These funds were appropriated from the $5 million 1989 Parks and Open Space
bond.
***
The organization "Friends of Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation, and
Greenways" applied for and received State funding for
a maintenance project on the Battle Branch Trail.
****
The Sierra Club applied for and received funding for construction of Phase II
of the Bolin Creek Trail.
From FY
1985-86 until FY 1997-1998 the Chapel Hill Greenways Program has received
funding, or commitments for funding in the amount of $1,804,150. These funds
include Town capital improvement funds, general obligation bonds and grants.
In November 1996, the voters of Chapel Hill approved the sale of $3 million in
general obligation bonds for the purchase of open space land.
Following are charts showing potential funding for the greenways program over the next few years. Chart ??? shows anticipated funding amounts by calendar year. Chart ??? shows anticipated funds by category. Chart ??? shows anticipated funds by project.
Funding Agency Source Purpose Amount
|
Town of Chapel Hill |
Capital Improvements Fund 1
|
General Greenway Development |
$540,000 |
|
Metropolitan Planning Organization
|
Direct Allocation Funds 2 |
Dry Creek Trail ($624,000) Morgan Creek Trail ($720,000) Upper Booker Creek Trail ($640,000)
|
$1,984,000 |
|
Town of Chapel Hill |
Open Space Bonds 3 |
Purchase open space property and easements
|
$1,300,000 |
|
Town of Chapel Hill |
2003 Parks Bonds 4 |
Bolin Creek Trail ($2,308,000) Dry Creek Trail ($289,000) Morgan Creek Trail ($2,235,000) Upper Booker Creek Trail ($168,000)
|
$5,000,000 |
|
Orange County
|
2001 Parks Bonds |
Bolin Creek Trail
|
$1,000,000 |
|
Total Funds by Agency |
|
|
$9,824,000
|
Project Source(s) Amount
|
Bolin Creek Trail Phase (III) |
Orange County 2001 Parks Bonds ($1,000,000 Chapel Hill Parks Bonds ($2,308,000)
|
$3,308,000
|
|
Dry Creek Trail Phase (II) |
Chapel Hill Parks Bonds ($289,000) Metropolitan Planning Organization ($624,000)
|
$913,000
|
|
Morgan Creek Trail |
Chapel Hill Parks Bonds ($2,235,000) Metropolitan Planning Organization ($720,000)
|
$2,955,000
|
|
Upper Booker Creek Trail |
Chapel Hill Parks Bonds ($168,000) Metropolitan Planning Organization ($640,000)
|
$808,000
|
|
Open Space Acquisition 1
|
Chapel Hill Open Space Bonds ($2,308,000)
|
$1,300,000
|
|
Miscellaneous Small Projects 2 |
Capital Improvement Program |
$540,000
|
|
Total Funds by Project
|
|
$9,824,000 |
1. The original bond authorization was $2,000,000. About $700,000 of Open Space bonds have already been spent.
2. CIP funds are usually used for capital maintenance, grant matches, small new trail construction, and materials for volunteers.
The protection of most undeveloped greenways corridors has been accomplished at no cost to the Town because of a variety of existing development regulations. The Town has adopted regulations that limit the development of floodplain areas, steep slopes, entranceway areas, and a corridor along Interstate 40. Although this protection is not perfect, and limited development and clearing may be allowed in these areas, the degree of protection is very high considering that it is achieved at no cost to the public. As long as these regulations remain in force, the majority of the Town's greenways corridors should remain relatively protected.
If the courts, the federal government, or the State legislature take actions that weaken the Town's ability to regulate development, these lands may once again be subject to development pressures. Only a small percentage of the Town's greenways are in Town ownership or direct control. The cost to acquire them in fee simple would likely be beyond the ability of the Town.
The following protection and acquisition methods can maximize preservation of greenway corridors:
• Continue to rely on Town ordinances to protect stream corridors, steep slopes, entranceways, and the Interstate corridor.
•
Use the provisions of
the Development Ordinance Land Use Management Ordinance
(LUMO) to acquire greenway lands and easements wherever developments occur
along identified greenways.
•
Use the payment-in-lieu
of recreation area provision of the Development Ordinance Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) where appropriate to raise money for the
purchase of greenway land and easements.
•
Use of off-site
dedication provisions of the Development Ordinance Land Use
Management Ordinance (LUMO) where appropriate.
•
Encourage donations
of land and easements.
• Trade unneeded Town land for needed easements or property.
No-Cost
Trail Construction
Trail Construction Costs Paid by Others
The Town's
development requirements have also contributed to the number of trails
available to local residents. Most of the trails built as requirements of the
development process are located on property owned by local homeowners
associations. Some of these trails are or will be public. For example, the
developers of the 300+ acre Southern Village and the 400+ acre Meadowmont
projects constructed agreed to construct and then deed to the Town,
paved greenways suitable for bicycle traffic. These trails will enhance
and add value to the private developments while simultaneously adding to the
public greenway system.
Low-Cost Trail Construction
Short segments of less intensively used unpaved trails and small connector paths have been implemented by volunteer groups in cooperation with the Town. In these efforts by groups such as Boy Scouts of America, the Town’s obligation is typically limited to the cost of construction materials only. These initiatives are encouraged by the Town with proper coordination to assure compatibility with the Town’s greenway planning goals and construction standards.
Funding Land Acquisition and Trail Construction
Existing development regulations cannot provide for all costs of trail development and land acquisition. In most cases the cost of new trail construction cannot be passed on to land developers. A trail project in an already developed area usually requires funds for land, labor, materials, planning efforts, a citizen input process, and maintenance. At the present time most of these costs have been borne by the Town and by agencies willing to provide construction and maintenance grants.
In order to allow the trail development program to expand, different funding sources must be explored. This is especially true if additional paved trails such as the Bolin Creek Trail are to be built; but even primitive trails may have high costs associated with the need to build boardwalks or bridges.
Possible sources for trail construction and land acquisition include:
Dedicated Funding Source
The Greenways
Commission has recommended that a permanent funding source be located that
could be used to fund greenways land acquisition and trail construction. The
Commission has recommended that a special tax be levied to fund the program. The
Commission has not identified a potential source of the proposed tax. For
several years the Council earmarked cell tower lease funds for the greenways
program. This brought in about $50,000 per year. In FY 2004-05 the cell tower
money was diverted from the Greenways portion of the Capital Improvement
Program to pay debt service on parks bonds.
General Obligation Bonds
The greenways
program has received $550,000 from the 1986 and 1989 Parks & Open Space
bonds. Bonds are excellent sources of funding for large capital projects. The
1996 bond issue will provide $3 million in funding for the purchase of
additional open space land.
In 2003 Chapel Hill voters approved the sale of $5,000,000 in Parks bonds
(designated by the Council for Greenway development) and $2,000,000 in bonds
for purchase of open space. These funds should allow new construction of
greenways until about 2009. Open space bond funds are likely to be expended
sooner if willing sellers of open space can be found.
Capital Reserve
Capital reserve funds
have traditionally been used for capital repair and renovation projects and for
grant matches. The program has
benefited from appropriations from the Capital Improvements budget. These funds are raised through the General Fund. The
greenways program must compete for these funds with other Town capital needs
including parks, sidewalks, building improvements, capital construction, and
purchase of capital equipment.
Grants
The Town's major source of
funding for paved trails has been through the the Bolin Creek project
has come from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT)'s
Bicycle Program. These funds are requested thorough the Town's
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) each year. In addition the Town
has received a NCDOT Enhancement Program grant. The Town currently has two three
active outstanding TIP NCDOT projects requests:
Booker Creek Linear Park and the Morgan Creek Trail Upper Booker
Creek, Lower Booker Creek and Lower Bolin Creek Trails.
The
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, or ISTEA, provides
federal-aid funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities through a number of
state and local programs. The NCDOT Bicycle Program has received moneys from
this funding source. However, consistent with recent policies of fiscal
restraint at the federal level, ISTEA funding is being closely scrutinized.
The Town should monitor the program to see if ISTEA moneys will remain a viable
source of funds in the future.
The North Carolina Park and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant program is available to all
counties and municipalities in the state. Annual 50% matching grants up to
$250,000 are possible for land acquisition, park and greenway projects. In
1997, an estimated $5 million within the PARTF program is available for the
entire state.
Construction by Private Developers
The Town has
required developers to provide trails within some large planned developments.
It would be in the best interest of the Town if greenway trails proposed as
part of major private developments were constructed to standards established by
the NCDOT Bicycle Program and the American Association of Safety and Highway
Traffic Officials (AASHTO). The trails planned for construction built
within the Meadowmont and Southern Village developments follow this
precedent.
It should also
be a goal of the Town to require a time commitment for the construction
of trails as part of the development plan approval process. This requirement
would be similar to the current requirements that require developers to extend
sewers and roads to their property lines. This method of financing
construction may warrant further exploration by the Council.