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Jean Sweeney Open Space Park – PROPOSED TRAIL PLAN

As the detailed planning begins for the main 22 acre parcel of the Jean Sweeney Open Space Park

(JSOSP) in Alameda, we, a group of local residents with a variety of experiences and interests in

recreational biking opportunities, have come together to create a JSOSP Trail Planning Group. We

believe that the foundation of any popular and successful park plan should include a comprehensive trail

network that encompasses the entire park and is intertwined with the other designated use areas. We

believe that the addition of multi-use trails would provide a recreational option that does not currently

exist in Alameda and a rare and unique opportunity to achieve the recreational portions of the City of

Alameda’s Bike and Pedestrian Master Plans.

VISION

The Trail Planning Group’s vision for the JSOSP is a network of mixed-use trails for recreation and

transportation, which encompasses the entire area and perimeter of the park, and includes trail types

and facilities for all trail user groups. The trail system should be integrated into the natural open space

environment and wind through other designated passive use areas within the park. The trail network

should enhance & preserve the park’s natural environment, create sustainable recreation opportunities

within in the park, and facilitate access to areas in and around JSOSP.

GOALS

The JSOSP trail planning group seeks to achieve the following goals:

Articulate a coherent and detailed trail design which includes the interests of all trail user groups

including road cyclists, off-road cyclists, joggers, hikers, walkers, and disabled vehicle users.

Provide city planners with information on modern, sustainable trail design that has a mixture of

Class 1 wide paved trails, narrow dirt trails, and technical trail features.

Create an active local group of volunteers who can provide labor and supplies to build the trail

system and provide long-term ongoing volunteer maintenance of the trail system.

Contribute to the fundraising and grant writing efforts to obtain the funding needed to build and

sustain the trail system.

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TRAIL NETWORK DESCRIPTION

We recommend a multi-use, multi-function trail loop network, with four main trail types and trail-

related recreational facilities:

1. A paved, Class 1, 15 foot wide throughway path that is divided for biking and walking.

This trail would also be a section of the proposed Cross Alameda Trail, running the

entire length of JSOSP and connecting to other bike transportation routes outside the

park.

2. A narrow-width 3 foot wide “single-track” one-way dirt trail for biking, jogging and fast

hiking, that loops around the entire perimeter of park. This trail would incorporate the

natural contours of the land, be made with a dirt surface, be twisty and undulating, and

contain challenging technical aspects. We would like this trail to be interspersed with

various “skill zones” that develop technique and provide interesting challenges to

bikers, runners and hikers. We suggest using fill from site excavation to build interesting

trail contours, obstacles, drop-offs, berms, and rollers, along with rocks, logs, narrows,

ladder bridges and wall rides along the trail. (see Appendix)

3. A narrower 4-6 foot wide flat dirt path for leisurely hiking, family hiking, bird watching,

and leashed dog walking. This trail would be closed to biking and would utilize the

natural contours and characteristics of the land. Ideally this trail would also be ADA

accessible.

4. A “pump track” or bike skills course. The course would include a progressive group of

skills areas for kids, beginners, intermediates and experts to learn technical biking skills

in a safe environment, and to provide a natural gathering area for bikers. (see

Appendix). A common size for a pump track is about 100’ x 100’.

All non-paved (dirt) trails should be built using sustainable trail design and techniques, meaning they are

constructed to require minimal maintenance, avoid erosion from water, and resist degradation from

user groups. Access to the trail system should be allowed from any perimeter cross street, so that one

can enter the trail system from any point around the park perimeter. Note that all technical trail

features would include a bypass for those who are unable or do not wish to attempt the technical skill

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feature. The park trail system should be linked with other bikeways, trails and transit corridors so that

locals and outsiders can come to the park without driving.

OPEN-SPACE NATURAL AREAS RESTORATION

We recommend that a long-term natural areas restoration project be implemented to provide a scenic

outdoor environment for trail users and habitat for

wildlife, and should include:

Native plant restoration and landscaping,

using primarily local native plants and trees

that have historically grown in Alameda.

We especially recommend re-creating an

oak woodland that could have existed in

Alameda prior to development. The

plantings would provide important food and

habitat for wildlife, would be drought

tolerant and would require little

maintenance or irrigation once established.

They will also provide a scenic outdoor environment for the trail users. Plant selection should

be determined by experts in local natural and historical ecology.

Invasive plant species removal.

A plant nursery for ongoing and sustainable cultivation and planting of native plantings.

Retention of some existing high-value non-native vegetation including blackberry patches for

community harvesting and animal habitat. We should maintain existing non-native plants that

provide important nesting, forage and cover for bird populations.

TIMELINE

The entire JSOSP and all of its planned uses will take many years to complete. We believe that the trail

system is the foundation of the park and should be built immediately after the soil remediation is

completed. A trail system is easier and less expensive to create than other park facilities, can be built

using volunteer labor, and will immediately bring users to the park. Much like streets are created for

access before housing is built, we believe that it is much easier to build the trail system first and then

put in the other park infrastructure. A strong user base attracted by trail access will facilitate and assist

the creation of the rest of the park. The natural areas restoration should also begin after the trail system

is established.

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BENEFITS OF THE TRAIL PLAN

By creating the multi-use trails plan that we are recommending, the City of Alameda would achieve

many different benefits:

Provide healthy, free and safe recreation for all Alameda residents. This would help to make our citizens healthier and would fight obesity and disease in our community. By promoting a mix of on and off-road trails for biking, hiking, walking, jogging and other non-motorized transportation, Alameda would uphold the “Healthy Parks Healthy People” initiative that is sponsored by the National Park Service (NPS).

Attract new visitors to Alameda to use the park and provide vital economic support to local businesses and Webster St. merchants. Part of Alameda’s 2008 Economic Development Strategic Plan is the provision of transportation and recreation facilities. The JSOSP would achieve this economic objective, as well as other stated objectives including increasing bicycle facilities and transit access to the business parks, continuing the development process for the recreational improvements of the “Alameda Belt Line” property, and implementing plans to use the corridor of the former Alameda Belt Line property for transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation. A complete trail network in JSOSP is key to developing the economic prosperity of Alameda businesses and can help attract top quality employees to the local business parks.

Achieve the main objectives of the City of Alameda’s established Bicycle Master Plan. The Alameda Bicycle Master Plan states as its primary vision, “The City of Alameda will implement policies, projects and programs to facilitate bicycling for riders of all abilities, for all types of trips throughout the City and to neighboring jurisdictions,” and, “the intent of the Plan (is) to focus on the needs of the entire Alameda community, to provide opportunities for a comfortable bicycling experience to a broad cross-section of residents, employees, and visitors. In addition, the City’s bicycle facilities will attempt to meet the needs of both commuter/utilitarian bicyclists as well as recreational riders.” One of the guiding principles of the Alameda Bicycle Master Plan is to Improve bicycle facilities to offer local opportunities for recreation. The complete JSOSP Trail Plan achieves the vision and guiding principles of the Bicycle Master Plan with its multi-faceted design.

Achieve the objectives of California’s “Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights” (COBOR). With concerns about youth detachment from outdoor activities, lack of physical exercise and

increased health risks, the California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism created the COBOR as a list of fundamental recreational experiences that every child should experience. By implementing all of the recommendations of this JSOSP TRAILS PLAN, within the context of the historic Beltline rail yard, Alameda can directly achieve 6 of the 10 stated COBOR goals for children:

o A safe place for play o Exploration of nature o Trails to follow o A place to ride bikes o Connection with the past o A place to plant a seed

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Provide safety within the park by increasing the user base and providing a watchful set of eyes to protect users from crime and to report illegal uses of the park.

Create a park within the City of Alameda which is aligned with the recreational and

environmental goals of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) master plan, including:

o Creation of a diverse system of

non-motorized trails to

accommodate a variety of

recreational users including

hikers, joggers, people with

dogs, and bicyclists.

o Both wide and narrow trails

designed and designated to

accommodate either single or

multiple users.

o Appropriate trail planning and

design, signage and trail user education to promote safety and minimize conflicts

between users.

APPENDIX

TRAIL SPECIFICATIONS

1. Class 1 Bikeway – divided use

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2. Narrow width multi-use off-road trail

3. Pedestrian only trail

TECHNICAL TRAIL FEATURES

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PUMP TRACK

SIMILAR TRAIL PROJECTS FOR REFERENCE

Woodward Park, Fresno, CA: http://www.woodwardmtbpark.com &

http://www.woodwardmtbpark.com/Resources_files/Woodward%20Mountain%20Bike%20Par

k%20Final%20Plan.pdf

Truckee Pump Track, Truckee, CA: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Truckee-Pump-Track-

Project-2012.html

Golden Bike Park, Golden, CO: http://www.cityofgolden.net/city-services/golden-bike-park/

Tamarancho Flow Trail, Fairfax, CA: http://www.bermstyle.com/the-tamarancho-flow-trail-aka-

endor-is-open-for-business/

Colonnade Mountain Bike Park, WA: http://evergreenmtb.org/colonnade/

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Markham Park, Miami, FL: http://www.markhamparktrailbuildingfund.org/Park/

Philadelphia Pump Track, Philadelphia, PA: http://www.phillypumptrack.org/

Rarangi Bike Park, New Zealand: http://bikeworks.co.nz/rarangi-pump-track/

POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES

Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) - LWCF grants may be used for statewide outdoor recreational planning and for acquiring and developing recreational parks and facilities, especially in urban areas.

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Caltrans - RTP annually provides monies for recreational trails and trail-related projects totaling over $3 million for the state of California.

http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/rtp-grants

Safe Routes to Schools (SRTP) – Federal and State programs

Bicycle Facility Program, Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) - Grants are available to fund the construction of Class I, Class II, or Class III bikeways, as well as bicycle parking.

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEM), CA Resources Agency - Projects must show how they mitigate the impacts of public transportation facilities. Funds are available for three types of projects: highway landscape and urban forestry, resource lands, and roadside recreational.

The North Face “Explore Fund” - http://www.explorefund.org

The National Environmental Education Foundation grants -

http://www.neefusa.org/grants/every_day_grants.htm

REI Grants Program - http://www.rei.com/about-rei/grants02.html Specialized Dealer Grants Program -

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/USAgrantGuide2012_Aug.pdf Bell Built Grants - http://www.imba.com/grants/bell-built CLIF BAR Trail Preservation Grants - http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/2013-imba-clif-

bar-grants

Competitivecyclist.com Trail Grants -

http://www.imba.com/resources/grants/competitivecyclist-trail-improvement-grants

Bikes Belong grants - http://bikesbelong.org/grants

Fox Bike Park grants - http://www.imba.com/resources-grants/2013-imba-fox-racing-shox-pump-track-grants

CONTACT: Aaron Thies – athies@yahoo.com – (415) 317-3753