The Design Standards and Guidelines section of the Master Plan provides a set of parameters for implementing a consistent physical character for Chapel Hill greenway system. The guidelines address the following design issues:
· Corridor Width Guidelines
· Trail Classifications
· Special Trail Needs
· Trail Locations
· Trail Amenities
· Parking Areas
· Accessibility
· Naming Trails
· Signage
Greenway design standards and guidelines can help elected officials, advisory board members, and staff make decisions involving the expenditure of public funds and the enhancement of public safety. Decisions related to amounts of land or easements to be purchased, the types of trails to construct, and the location of trails can be facilitated by incorporating standards and guidelines in the greenways planning and decision-making process.
Greenway corridors in Chapel Hill vary in width according to the topography of the area, the amount of existing development, the existence of significant biological areas, and patterns of property ownership. The following guidelines are intended to balance the needs to preserve greenway corridors and connectors, provide enough land for trails when appropriate, and to provide privacy for existing residences.
The Town should make reasonable attempts to protect the following greenway corridors by restricting development, requiring greenway dedications, and purchasing land or easements.
Stream Corridors:
Stream corridors may vary in width depending on the stream and the site specific characteristics of the land itself. Corridor widths should generally be as wide as can be acquired to help assure the privacy of adjacent property owners and the environmental quality of the site. Several factors which often contribute to increased corridor widths of stream-associated greenways include adjacent sanitary sewer easements, 100-year floodplain land and areas within the Town’s Resource Conservation District.
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Connector Trails:
Greenway connectors not located along streams should be a minimum of 100 feet in width, if possible. This width should allow for sufficient buffering between neighborhoods, placement of trails, and adequate area for the free movement of wildlife. Smaller corridor widths, however, may be necessary in order to create trail connections between lots in subdivisions.
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Greenways as Parks:
Wider greenways may be needed if the land is to be developed as a park. Parks require more land than is typically acquired for a linear greenway. Parks and greenways can share the same land, although the needs of the park may require additional lands outside of the greenway corridor.
Developed Areas:
Greenway corridors or connectors should not be used for trails within areas that are currently developed if placement of a greenway trail would severely impact the privacy of existing residences. An exception would include areas where approval of the development foresaw the construction of a trail. An example is the Parkside II neighborhood where a connector trail corridor was preserved relatively close to homes. In this case the planning and land acquisition was complete prior to the construction of the first home.
Utility Easements:
Pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle easements should be coupled with utility easements when possible.
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Trail Classifications
Trails proposed within the Chapel Hill Greenway System can range from primitive woodland paths designed for low intensity pedestrian travel to paved bike paths designed for bicycle and wheelchair use.
The following
class system identifies different levels of trail development that were
assigned to greenway segments in Part 4, “Strategic Planning”. Essentially, it
is a 6-level hierarchy of trail development ranging from unimproved greenways,
to soft, natural surface trails, to paved trails of varying widths to
accommodate different trail uses and intensity of use.
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Class 2 Primitive trails created by wildlife or citizens, not maintained by the Town.
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Class 4 Unpaved access drive with gates or bollards to prevent casual vehicle use. Suitable for pedestrians or mountain bicycle use. This class is usually a road built for other purposes and used as a trail.
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Class 5 Paved trail less than 10 feet wide.
This class of trail can be used to improve short sections of Class 3-4 trail
suffering from severe erosion problems. This class can also be used for
pedestrian or bicycle only trails which are signed against other uses
bicycle use. However, in situations of difficult terrain, this class of
trail can be employed for pedestrian and bicycle use, but only if signage is
displayed to warn users of possible conflicts.
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Class 6 Paved trail 10 feet in width or wider for mixed bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Short sections may be less than 10 feet wide if difficult construction problems exist, however these should be well signed with adequate sight-distance in order to assure the safety of trail users.
The Town's goal for all its paved trails is to be compliant with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards as much as is practicable. All Class 6 trails should be designed and constructed to the standards for off-road bicycle trails as published in the AASHTO “Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities” and the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s, “Bicycle Facilities Planning and Design Guidelines”. The editions of these publications which are current at the time of trail construction should be used by the planning team. These guidelines address design standards for trail alignment, design speeds, paving widths and clearances, slope restrictions, bridge structures and safety railings.
Class 6 trails should be designed to comply with ADA standards where possible. In attempting to provide access to the greatest extent possible for the greatest number of people, the Town’s Class 6 greenways will allow handicap, elderly and very young users to more fully utilize the trails.
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There are some special trail needs that may be considered by the Town for various reasons. Some uses such as hiking and mountain bicycling may not be compatible on the same trail. Specialty trail needs should be addressed if funds, land, and public support are assured. Examples of special trail needs are listed below:
Mountain Bicycle Use
Class 3-4 trails should be designed for the use of mountain bicycles whenever possible. The extent of possible environmental damage by bicycle users should be considered on every project. Mountain bicycle use may have to be curtailed on occasion to allow natural regeneration of heavily eroded trails. Signs should be placed at all Class 3 and 4 trailheads requesting mountain bicycle users to yield to pedestrians and to refrain from using the trails in wet conditions.
Sidewalks and Public Streets
In some cases, trail
connections will be on sidewalks and along public streets. In the event that
off-street bicycle paths merge onto streets, provide appropriate signage and
pavement markings to help safe merging. The provision of designated bicycle
lanes is desirable. Where a public street provides a link in a pedestrian path,
sidewalks should be provided where possible.
Interpretive Trails
Trails can meet
many different needs including education. Many trails can be converted to dual
recreational/educational use by placing interpretive signs and stations along
the pathway. Interpretive signage may identify or provide explanations of
special natural features, geographic, historic or other points of interest. Interpretive
trails should not be built in conjunction with trails that are anticipated to
have moderate to heavy bicycle traffic.
Fitness Trails
Fitness
trails have stations that are used for various exercises. Users often run from
station-to-station in order to work a variety of muscle groups. These features
can be incorporated into many existing trails. Fitness trails must be well
maintained with pathways that are free of obstacles. The various fitness stations
must be placed well off the actual trail. Fitness trails should not be built
in conjunction with trails that are anticipated to have moderate to heavy
bicycle traffic. It should be noted that public fitness trails, as a
recreational amenity, have decreased in popularity over the past several years.
Measured Trails
Many individuals enjoy recreational walking and running. It is possible to measure sections of trails and to mark them for persons wishing to monitor their mileage. This type of activity is suitable on most trails, although, for fitness walking, the path surface should be relatively stable and free of obstacles.
The location of trails within greenway corridors is of vital importance to greenways planners, trail users, and the citizens who must live and work in the vicinity of these trails. Greenway planners should consider the following trail location guidelines:
1. Trails should generally be located as far from residential structures as is reasonable in order to preserve privacy of nearby residents and the experience of trail users.
2. Trails of Class 5 or higher should be located no closer than 25 feet from any perennial stream bank unless absolutely necessary and no other practical location for the trail exists. Trails should be located further than 25 feet from streams if there is evidence that stream banks are eroding.
3. Stream crossings should be avoided when possible.
4. Trails should be located to ensure that minimum disruption of the trail would result from the repair or replacement of utilities.
5. Street crossings should be grade separated if possible. At grade, street crossings should be planned so that trail and road users have the greatest sight distance possible.
Certain amenities may be planned to provide for the comfort and safety of trail users and area residents. The Town may provide the following amenities within greenway corridors:
Bollards
These devices prevent automobiles from driving on greenway trails. Bollards are commonly used on trails of Class 5 or higher. Bollards should be locked so that emergency vehicles, police cars, and maintenance vehicles have access to the trail.
The current standard for a locking bollard is one with a recessed three-sided hydrant nut that can be opened with a hydrant wrench.
Keys to
bollards should be provided to the Chapel Hill Parks & Recreation
Department, the Chapel Hill Police Department, Chapel Hill Fire Department,
South Orange Rescue Squad and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority, as
appropriate.
Observation Decks
Observation decks can be built overlooking scenic areas. These structures should not be built within floodplains, in places where they may compromise the privacy of nearby residents, or in areas not readily accessible to maintenance vehicles.
Gazebos
These small structures can be provided to allow trail users to enjoy passive recreation activities such as resting, picnicking, or reading. These structures should not be built within floodplains, in places where they may endanger the privacy of nearby residents, or in areas not readily accessible to maintenance vehicles.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables can be located along greenway trails, however past experience has found that these amenities should not be placed at random. Picnic tables are more likely to be used when placed in conjunction with some other attraction such as a play area. These structures should not be built in places where they may compromise the privacy of nearby residents, or in areas not readily accessible to maintenance vehicles. Picnic tables should always be accompanied with litter receptacles.
Benches
Many potential users of greenway trails are elderly or physically challenged. Benches should be placed where needed throughout the greenway trail corridor. Special care should be taken to place benches at the top of steep sections of trail.
Although one of the primary purposes of greenways trails is that of providing non-motorized transportation, many individuals will use the trails for purely recreational purposes. In order to accommodate recreational users, provision of small parking areas should be a goal and should be pursued when possible. In many cases, existing parking lots within Town parks can be used.
The design of greenway facilities and trail amenities should provide accessibility in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to the greatest degree practicable. Many trails, however, will not be wheelchair accessible due to the constraints of existing terrain or due to the nature of soft, natural surfacing. The design process for each trail should address the priority of accessibility and provide the appropriate accommodations.
Greenway corridors and trails should be named after the most prominent natural, or in some cases, man-made features in the immediate area of the trail. Trails located along streams should be named after those watercourses. In the event that non-contiguous sections of the same trail are developed it may be necessary to adopt temporary names for trail sections. As the links are joined, the temporary names can be abandoned. Procedures set by the Council should be followed prior to naming or dedicating a trail or greenway corridor for an individual.
Signage
A coordinated and consistent signage program is important to the safety and aesthetics of Chapel Hill’s greenway system. Signs serve to identify trails, orient the greenway user and assist in way finding, but also have a great collective impact on the overall visual quality of the greenway system.
Signage should be used in a consistent, selective and strategic manner so as not to clutter nor dominate the visual character of the greenway. Signs are generally to be small and unobtrusive.
Entrance Signage
Main entrance signs marking points of entry to each greenway should identify the name of the trail and display the Chapel Hill greenways program logo. The main entrance sign should be consistent in color throughout the Town system and should be constructed of a wood relief panel, wall-mounted, or attached to wood or recycled material posts.
Additional signs located at the entrances should inform users of several key facts: where the trail ends, the distance to the end of the trail, and what activities are not permitted while using the trail. Signs marking Town greenways may not be placed on University of North Carolina property.
Signs located along the course of the trail should inform users of the locations of side trails, interesting features, proper direction of travel should confusing options occur, and in the case of paved trails, directions for safe trail use.
Informational and directional signs at pedestrian-only trails may be of wood panel construction mounted on wood or recycled material posts. Signs should be located at significant decision points and positioned to provide a clear line-of-sight from the point of desired reading, free from obstructions.
Bicycle Routes
Paved Class 6 trails designed for multiple uses will generally require more signage than pedestrian-only trails. These signs are used in the same manner as vehicular signage, but should be down-sized to remain in scale with the greenway. These signs are typically constructed of metal panel and placed on wood or recycled material posts.
Adequate signs and markings are essential to alert pedestrians and bicyclists to potential hazards and convey regulatory messages to vehicles at greenway crossings. Signs and pavement markings at Class 6 multi-use trails should follow the guidelines published in the “Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD).