Connellsville Pennsylvania Trail Town Assessment Conducted May 20th 2011 Yough County Symposium
Fayette County Cultural Trust 502 South Pittsburgh Street Connellsville, Pennsylvania 15425
www.fayettetrust.org
Traffic & Access Issues Assessment General Access between Trail and Town Yes
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T1
What is the distance between the business district and the trail?
T2 T3
Is it easy for visitors to find and access downtown from the trail? Is there an easy grade between trail and town?
5 6
Is there adequate signage for motorists to find the trailhead from town? Are there sign ordinances? Are Sign ordinances being enforced? Is there adequate signage from the trail leading to the town? Is there sufficient signage for finding businesses and services?
4 1
Not counting the trail, are there bike lanes or share the road signs in town? Are bike lanes and road shoulders free of potholes, kept clean and free of debris? Are the sidewalks in good shape? Are sidewalks wide enough to accommodate pedestrian traffic? Do curb cuts have a gentle slope? Are all sidewalks continuous (vs. stopping abruptly) in the central business district? Are crosswalks well marked? Do motorists generally respect pedestrians in crosswalks? Are there pedestrian walk/don’t walk signal? Do signals allow enough time for a child or older adult to cross the street? Are pedestrians highly visible to motorists at crossings? As a pedestrian, do you feel safe when walking through town?
No
6 Blocks 1
5 2
Signage T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
4
1 1
3 2 2 2 2
1
1
5
2
3
4
4 2 5 3
5 4 2 3
3 2 1
3 1 4 1
5 3 1 2
2 5
3 5
1 2
2 2
2 5 1
3 2 3
4 1
3 2 3 1
1 2 1
2
1
1 3
1
2
9 7
Safety T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17 T18 T19 T20
3
Parking (Vehicles and Bicycles) T21 T22 T23 T24 T25 T26 T27 T28 T29 T30
Is there sufficient on-street parking? Are off-street parking lots placed behind stores? Are curb cuts in front of businesses limited (in size and number), resulting in a continuous sidewalk? Are there bike racks near businesses? Are bike racks placed in easy-to-find places? Are bike racks well-placed to prevent interference with sidewalk use? Is there secure off-sidewalk, bike parking areas close to the business district? Are bike racks simple enough for the rookie rider to use correctly? Are there creative bike racks, e.g. Combo bike rack/bench or dual use of decorative metal fencing? Are there hitching areas for horses, if applicable to your community?
4 5 2 4
Traffic & Access Issues Assessment Notes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
No signs to explain downtown. Make sidewalks one way (north and south bound) over Crawford Bridge. Need more signs at Crawford and 3rd street to point out businesses. Need bike lanes on Crawford Avenue Bridge. Need curb cuts to get on and off Crawford Avenue Bridge. Crawford Avenue Bridge is too steep. Some sidewalks don’t have curb cuts. Need a sign on Crawford Bridge to direct bikers to bike loop. Signs at 1st street intersection are confusing. Crawford Avenue is dirty. Need a center stripe on bike trail. Cars parked on bike trail behind the Mile Marker. Crawford Avenue Bridge sidewalk is not wide enough for bikes and pedestrians. Need pedestrian cross walk signs. Need “Share the Road” signs for automobiles and bikers. Need traffic calming on Crawford Avenue. Bike trail behind St Rita’s is filled with dead brush. Needs to be swept.
Business Checklist Overall impressions Yes B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7
Is there a “gateway” point to enter/leave town (like a piece of art/mural/sign? Do business hours match customers’ needs (i.e. open on weekends)? Are downtown business clustered in a compact area? Are customers greeted warmly when they walk through the door? Are the merchandise and store clean and well kept? Are there window displays that show off the community’s heritage? Are window displays appealing and inviting?
-------5 1 2 3 1 1
No 6
3 8 3 6 2 4
3 2
Accommodating to Visitors B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13
Are there public-accessible restrooms in the businesses? Do business offer information on the town/region? Is there a tourism information or visitor center? Can employees answer questions about the town or region? Do employees answer questions in a friendly manner? Do shops carry souvenirs, especially related to the town?
3 3 3
2 1 4
1 1
3 3 2
3
3 2 3
5 3 3 4
3 3 2 1
1 3
1 3
1
3 2 1 1 1
Business Signs B14 B15 B16 B17
Are businesses’ signage’s clearly visible and well-designed? Do the signs clearly state what is being sold? Do businesses clearly indicate that they’re opened? Are business hours posted on front door or window?
Promotions B52 B53 B54 B55 B56 B57 B58
Does the town use special events to encourage people to come to town? Do businesses use clever marketing tactics to invite people in? (e.g. Free Ice Cream) Does the town organize or promote town-to-town bike rides? Is the trail linked to downtown events and happenings? Is the town linked to trail events and happenings? Do businesses cross-promote? Do businesses offer out-of-town shipping for large items?
6
1 1 1
1 3 1
Business Checklist Notes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Big Apple Gear building is an eyesore. Clean downtown building windows. Neighborhood Association? No Signs? Building at 164 West Crawford Avenue is in good shape but please clean windows. Some businesses need signs. Some benches would be nice in front of some businesses. Businesses need to be as close to the trail as possible. Buildings not being cared for need to be torn down or fixed up for ascetics and safety reasons. Need coffee shops, hotel, and more bed and breakfasts in area. Too many buildings are used for storage on the west side. West side has “toilets� on display in windows. Allow for home base business along the trail. Places to stay needs to be advertised more. Connellsville Chamber of Commerce is not very visible. Chamber window covered up by adds. Clean up Mongell property by Crawford Avenue Bridge.
Design Checklist Visual Appearance – Town & Storefronts
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5
Does the downtown feel distinct or special? Does the town appear economically healthy? Does your town feel safe? As a whole, are you enjoying your walk of downtown? Are walls and storefronts kept free of graffiti?
Yes 2
----2
2 5 1
6 2 3
No 6 10 2 3 5
Buildings & Parking D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11
In general, are vacant storefronts reasonably maintained? Does the community enforce building codes? Is there a solid strip of businesses? (e.g. not broken up by parking lots.) Are businesses situated at sidewalks? Are historic buildings restored and recognized? Are structures in town in a good condition overall?
1 3
2 1 5
9 1 9 1 7 8
1 1
Storefronts D12 D13 D14 D15 D16 D17 D18 D19 D20
Are store windows clean? Are store windows lit at night? Are storefronts maintained? (e.g. no broken glass, crumbling brick, peeling paint, etc.) Do stores have attractive window displays? Are there audible amenities – chimes, church bells, music, etc.? Are there banners? Are storefronts decorated with flowers or hanging baskets? Are there drinking fountains or sources for potable water? Does the town use decorative lampposts for night lighting?
1 2 2 4
2 3 4
7 3 5
4
4 5 3 4 7 1
3 1 1 3
Clean and Green D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30 D31
Are there enough benches? Are there picnic areas? Are the benches well-placed? (Are they in the shade, near high pedestrian traffic areas, etc.)? Are parks/green spaces easily accessible and welcoming to visitors? Do parks have adequate bike racks and benches? Are street trees used effectively? Are native plants used in green spaces? Are the sidewalks swept and kept neat and free of debris? Are there rain gardens or permeable surfaces in parking lots? Are there recycling receptacles in town? Are there sufficient trash cans in town?
2 5 3
1
6 4 5
5 1 6 6 1 1
1 1
3 2 1 1 4 6 6 7
2
1 3 3 3
Design Checklist Notes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Need more bike racks in town. Downtown feels distinct but not special. Historic buildings are in very bad shape, and take away from businesses. Lions Square is very nice. Connellsville B&B has a nice window display. Public art at the trail heads needs to be explained with a sign. Need more information kiosks directing bikers to town and businesses. Need to improve the looks of the West Side to be attractive to bikers. Areas along the trail need to be well groomed and inviting. Make some attractive rest areas along the trail and in the city. Bring the “heritage” of Connellsville into spotlight. Junk cars and car batteries are located on a lot next to Cindy’s Florist on the West Side. Need a Community Pride week?
Access Areas Signage and Information Yes D32 D33 D34 D35 D36 D37 D38 D39 D40 D41 D42 D43
Is there an attractive, well placed access area sign? Is there exit directional signage? Is there an informational kiosk or bulletin board? Are there directional signage indicating destinations to east/west or north/south? Is there a rule/regulation/courtesy sign? Is there interpretive information? Is there information on contributing or volunteering? Is there information on nearby town amenities or services? Is there a map of the town with businesses/services on bulletin board or kiosk? Is there a take-away map of the town with business/services listed? If the trail crosses any roadways, are the crossings safe? Are there signs to emergency facilities?
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4 1 1 2 3 4 7 4 4 1
No
2 3 4 2
5 2
2 2 3 2
4 4 5 2 3
1 3
4
4 2 4
Parking Lots D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49
How many parking spaces are in your trailhead parking lot? Do parking spaces have extra length for hitch-mounted bike racks? Does your parking lot have extra turning radius for shuttle vans? Does your parking area accommodate horse-carrying vehicles? Is there safe interface between trail users and parkers? Does parking lot fencing have convenient openings for trail access?
20-30 1 1
3
1 3 1
3 3 3 1 1
Amenities D50 D51 D52 D53 D54 D55 D56 D57 D58 D59 D60 D61
Are there flush toilet facilities? Is there a portable toilet? Is there a public water fountain? Are there trash receptacles? Is there landscaping to provide shade? Are there picnic tables? Are there pavilions or shelters? Are there bike racks? Are there benches? Is there security lighting? Is there a pay telephone? Is there cellular reception at the trailhead?
1 2 2 2 5 3 3 3 3 2 3
3 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
2
Access Areas Notes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Need signs to hospital. Need more parking at Yough Park to accommodate large numbers of bikers. Create a seasonal visitors center. Some signs along trail need to be updated. Some business no longer there. Some signs along the trail are not straight, but falling over. No directional signs to downtown. Some business do not have signs. Have a “map” program. Sign behind St Rita’s Church explaining park and do they allow visitors? Take down sign and clean up “britches and bows” building. Signs need to be a little bigger when entering town from both directions.