Town of Banff TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Nov 26, 2014
INTRODUCTION • This Trails Master Plan will guide planning, development and management of a sustainable trail network within the Town of Banff. • The last Trail and Open Space Study was completed in 1992 and many of the recommendations and initiatives have already been completed. • This Plan excludes Parks Canada trails, but will consider things like connections to trailheads and opportunities for coordination (e.g. signage and maps, access, promotion)
WHY IS A TRAIL PLAN NEEDED?
• Trails are increasingly popular for both recreation and commuting • The range of activites on trails is expanding • Trails in Banff need to serve both residents and visitors effectively • Enhancing trails can help reduce traffic and parking issues • Trails can help improve community health and wellness • New trail designs, connections, and management strategies are needed to address the increase in demand and range of activities • Trails can have economic benefits and support local businesses • The Trails Master Plan will help prioritize future capital projects
PROJECT PROCESS AND TIMELINE PHASE 1 Startup & Background
PHASE 2 Trail System Evaluation
August
September
Many Banff residents make use of trails for active commuting
PHASE 3 Community Consultation
PHASE 4/5 Draft Master Plan + Community Review
November
Rickshaws are a relatively new addition to trail use in the Town
LEES+Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
PHASE 6 Final Master Plan
PHASE 7 Capital Projects + Implementation
December
Designated on-street routes provide an important connection to off-road trails
Town of Banff TRAILS MASTER PLAN WHAT WE HEARD
Nov 26, 2014
151 questionnaires were completed by Banff residents (80%), Visitors (13%) and Seasonal Employees (7%)
Public Questionnaire Summary Key findings • Most people use trails daily (26%) or weekly (37%) • The most popular activities are walking and hiking (96%), cycling (80%) and trail running (54%) • Top reasons for using the trails are recreational use and exercise (72% each)
• The most popular destination is Downtown (90%) followed by Central Park, The Banff Centre and Bow Falls
• Weather, lack of winter maintenance and lack of lighting are top 3 barriers to more active commuting
• Horses on trails can have a negative impact on trail experience (52%) with horse manure being the primary reason
• 82% use trails in the winter • Improved linkages, all season use of trails and new trails are the top priorities for trail improvement
Town of Banff - Trails Master Plan Stakeholder Workshop Input Summary Stakeholder - Sept 8, 2014
Map Activity Legend:
= Wayfinding required = Potential new trail location = Bike parking needed
15
Legacy Trail connections
F
Important transit/ bus zone Winter access to Rec centre
13
I
Add trail on NE side of road
F
H
8
G
Very steep/winter maintenance
A
Info/decision point for Fenlands
Sidewalk/narrow bike route on road
2
Conflict zones at bridge access
5
Too narrow for bikes and peds Potential nature loop around stables
14
Stakeholders provide input at a workshop
Improve sightlines
Winter route to Banff Centre
F
Middle Springs
7
Trail connection to Cave & Basin
10
Signage to Fenlands BO W R
Better access & signage required
Trail difficulty/rating signage needed
C
Key decision point for peds/bikes
12
C
789 35%
4 1
A
Key Destinations: 1. Banff Centre 2. Banff Mineral Springs Hospital 3. Banff Springs Hotel 4. Bow Falls 5. Canoe Dock 6. Cave and Basin National Historic Site 7. Central Park 8. Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre 9. Cascade Gardens / Parks Canada Admin. 10. Recreation Grounds 11. Sulphur Mountain: Rimrock Resort Banff Gondola Upper Hot Springs 12. Surprise Corner Viewpoint 13. Tunnel Mountain Campground 14. Holiday on Horseback 15. Industrial Compound Parks Canada Trailheads: A. Fenlands Loop Trail B. Spray River Loop / Goat Creek Trail C. Hoodoos Trail / Bow River Trail D. Sundance Canyon Trail E. Sulphur Mountain Trail F. Tunnel Mountain Trail G. Tunnel Mountain Bike Trails H. Legacy Trail (West) I. Legacy Trail (East) Town of Banff Trails (off road): Antelope Connector Bow River / Fenlands Trail Bow Falls Trail Cave and Basin Trail Ken Madsen Trail (to Banff Centre) Middle Springs Trails Pedestrian Bridge Recreation Grounds Trails Whiskey Creek Trails
433 20%
The Banff Centre
Safety concerns for peds/bikes
VE
9
RI
D
295 13%
1
Widen trail for bikes
6
Daily Average Trail Users
Improve trail? Horse only? Winter route?
3
722 32%
B
B
LEGEND 1
Key Destinations
A
Parks Canada Trailheads
11
E
Schools Bike Rental Locations Multiuse Trails Pedestrian Only Trails On-Road Routes Sidewalks Roads Town of Banff Boundary
LEES+Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
LEES+Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
Bow River Trail
Bow Falls Trail
Trail counters were installed at key points with the chart above showing results for August and September.
Town of Banff TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Nov 26, 2014
KEY ACTION ITEMS - DETAILED • Key action items are shown in blue on the maps below Action 2: Improve on-road conditions under the south end of the Banff Ave bridge, using road paint and bollards to define a 2-3 meter walking and cycling path.
Action 3: Upgrade selected trails in the Middle Springs neighbourhood to 2 meter wide gravel surface and reduce steep grades. Jasp
er
Action 14 and 15A/B: Improve on-road routes to Tunnel Mountain and The Banff Centre by creating a defined road shoulder with paint and bollards on the uphill side. Tunnel Mountain Road:
Example
Gl
Banff Avenue
ac
Midd
le Sp
ier
Existing trail (typical)
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Birch Av
enue
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Mo
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B
Av
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Example
venue
A Cave
A) Buffalo Street (B) St. Julien Rd:
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t
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ee
A
us
Str
M
Elk
Example
Str t
ee
12
Action 17: Close degraded
Option 2 - Muskrat/Elk
Option 3 - Muskrat/Elk
Banff Ave
riverbank trails that parallel the Bow Falls Trail; restore with native vegetation and 2-3 three viewpoints to access the river.
cycling greenways on Muskrat and Elk Streets to connect the pedestrian bridge, Legacy Trail, and schools to Downtown. Option 1 - Muskrat/Elk
lo
Banff Avenue
Wolf Street
ffa
Action 12: Provide dedicated
B Bu
Banff Avenue
Rd
12
n
12
lie
The Fenlands
Ju
11
Wolf Street Banff Avenue
ff A
n Ba
ue
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St.
2-way cycling route on Banff Avenue to provide a safe connection from the Legacy Trail East to Muskrat Street.
Muskrat Street
Action 11: Provide a dedicated
Existing trail
Sp e
nu
ve yA ra
Action 21: Work with CP Rail to provide a pedestrian overpass to the Industrial Compound.
Action 28: Widen the Bow River Trail from the Pedestrian Bridge to the Canoe Dock to 3 meters and ensure it is fully accessible for those with mobility aids Existing trail
nff
Ba
Muskrat Street
Marmo
t Cr.
Banff Avenue
Wolf Street
agreements with commercial operators, including a requirement for immediate waste clean-up (such as horse manure and litter/signage from events).
Action 51: widen from 2 to 3 meters
Consider lighting certain key trails.
e
nu
e Av
Action 44: Establish trail use
Dark-sky friendly bollards
LEES+Associates Landscape Architects and Planners
Town of Banff TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Nov 26, 2014
KEY ACTION ITEMS - OVERVIEW MAP N
Action 11 Action 21
21
11
14
12 12
Action 28
Action 14
28
Action 12
12
15B
15A
Action 2
2 W
BO R
VE
RI
17
3
Action 15A/B
Action 17
Action 3
Legend Existing Trails / On-Road Routes Proposed Trails Parks Canada Trails Roads
LEES+Associates Landscape Architects and Planners