CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING A TRAIL SYSTEM IN TRACY HOW FUNCTIONAL AND MEMORABLE TRAIL SYSTEM?

We can start by identifying what we want to connect. This plan proposes the following priorities:

> Connect to major destinations including downtown, transit and mobility hubs, and high schools.

> Connect to key parks, recreation and open space destinations, including our community parks, sports complexes, and the nature park.

Branded Trails For Recreation Trail Criteria

> Connect to the river, valley and hills.

Opportunities For Trail Lines

Second, we identify opportunities for building the trail system on existing or planned infrastructure: bikeways, and rail, canal, and utility corridors.

1. Connect many destinations to one another

Our concept for a Trail system in Tracy shows how these criteria for trail corridors and a sense of identity for each trail (“branding”) might come together.

2. Use existing infrastructure for new trails (i.e. rails and canals).

3. Connect key open space and park destinations.

4. Connect to regional open space experiences outside of Tracy

NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTION

Connects the Tracy Hills Open Space in the south to Legacy Fields and the future nature park to the north.

Rail Trail To Durham Ferry

Connects the northwest and southeast areas of town, heading toward Durham Ferry. Downtown is the central node.

EAST-WEST CONNECTION

Connects the Old River to the route to Mountain House, using the irrigation canal easements along the way.

Rail Trail To River

Perpendicular to the first rail trail, this connects the Old River to the Patterson Pass. Downtown is the central node.

11F. Signage for Wayfinding, Interpretation, and Identity

Signage orients trail users to the trail system, communicates rules and precautions, provides directional guidance, and interprets the landscape. Signage also helps to create an overall identity for the trail system. Wayfinding signage will be especially critical at junctions and at major intersections and trail turning points.

The City will develop branding and a wayfinding and signage program for the trail system. Individual trails and trail systems may also have distinguishing trail signage which should be harmonized with overall trail system signage to the extent possible.

11G. Safety on Trails

It is critical that trails are designed and managed in a way that promotes safety. Trail safety will be ensured in the following ways:

Environmental Design. Safe parks can be achieved by creating natural surveillance and ensuring defensible space. This means maintaining good sight lines from public streets and buildings and creating clear entrances and clear boundaries.

Safe Crossings. Trails will also be designed to reduce hazards from vehicles and trains by establishing safe street and rail crossings and using planting and fencing as a buffer between trails and rails lines or roadways. Specific crossing design will be based on detailed, sitespecific analysis.

Lighting and Barriers. Lighting and barriers are critical to keep trail users safe and provide clear delineation between trails and adjacent properties. Lighting should be placed at trail entrances and along trail segments where significant early morning and late evening use is expected.

11H. Comfort on Trails

Tracy’s trail system will feature places to sit, bicycle racks, water fountains, waste receptacles, and places to gather in the shade. Seating should be placed periodically along trails and located to take advantage of views, shade trees, or other appealing conditions. Shaded gathering areas may be created at trailheads and scenic locations. Bike racks, water fountains, and waste receptacles should be placed at trail entrances.