Agenda - Council - 02/26/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Classification System The classification system recognizes that trail systems do differ according to the physical and social characteristics of various communities and planning.areas. For instance, Ramsey County, being largely developed, has a great need for biking and hiking trails. Rural Dakota County demonstrates a demand for snowmobile trails. Washington and Hennepin counties have a great need for horse trails. Therefore, the system as shown in Table I basically classifies by planning and level of government the general responsibilities and types of services that those different trail systems should be addressing. Classification System Definitions Terms designated in t~e classification in Table 1 are: Rural: The area as defined by Development Framework as the Rural Service Area or generally the area that will not be served by urban services prior to 1990. 2. Developing (Urban Service Area): The area designated by Development Frame- work in which public services will be provided as planned to 1990. 3. Urban (Fully Developed): The area designated by Development Framework which generally consists of the central cities and first-ring suburbs in which there is little land left for development. 4. Function: The primary purpose for a trail as serving either recreation or transportation needs or both. 5. Type: Single use; multi-use (corridor providing separate physical trail surfaces); multi-seasonal; a physical trail surface that provides for different uses according to season, (e.g. horseback riding during three seasons and snowmobiling in the winter) and roadside (e.g. a bike path on the shoulder of a road). 6. Location: ~ general description referring to natural or man-made features. a. Natural features: resource based corridors such as rivers, lakes, streams, drainageways. Man-made features: developmenus that provide corridors such as road and railroad rights-of-way, utility easements (power lines, gas lines and Telephone lines). Concept: A proprosed linear or looped trail corridor. Operation: Statutes, regulations and ordinances governing different trail classes. PART II. GOALS, OBJECTIVES A~ND POLICIES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM The regional trails system includes a variety of uses. The major potennial uses of a regional trails system are projected to be hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and river boating, As it is difficult to project other trail uses that may develop in the future, the regional trails system will center on these six uses, while not resiricTing The plan's f~exibility to accommodate other potential uses. Goal The overall goal of the Regional Trails Policy Plan Amendment is to establish a system of regional trails which will reasonably meet the regional recreational trail needs of the people in The Metropolitan Area. -3-