Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/09/2006

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CASE DISCUSS TRAIL LIGHTING By: Leonard Lintou, Civil Engineer Background: Subdivision lighting was discussed at the January meeting of the Public Works Committee. The history of subdivision lighting and the current policy were reviewed. The discussion grew to include the trail system. We have a pedestrian underpass on TH 47 that is lighted. We are proposing additional underpasses as the City continues to develop. We will have pools of light on' the trail interspersed with unlit areas. The Committee recommended the Park and Recreation Commission review trail lighting and forward a recommendation to staff for inclusion in the subdivision street lighting policy. Observation: Ramsey has trails along roads, through natural areas and adjacent to side and back yards. The trails adjacent to roads are lighted if the road is lighted. The trails through natural areas and yards are not currently lighted. Lighted trails would provide more time for trail use, particularly in the dark winter months. There are regional parks that provide lighted cross country ski trails, the parks require a permit to use the trails which helps fund the cost of the lights and trail maintenance. Trail lighting is not as critical in the summer months since the sunset is a lot later and the trails close at 11:00 pm along with the rest of the City Parks. Lighting trails may impact property owners adjacent to the trails with light and increased users. Trails along back lot lines generate a lot of conversation, case in point; the proposed trails along the Northwest Sanitary Sewer Extension. Many residents would not grant easements for a trail parallel to the sewer line. The trail would complete part of the link between Central Park and Elmcrest Park as well as providing maintenance access to the sewer. The residents felt the trail would be an invasion of privacy and provide a route for vandalism or other unwanted activity on their property. The City Council dropped the trail from the plan and all of the residents granted the easements for the sanitary sewer. Proposing to light the existing trails would most likely generate similar comments from the affected residents. The minutes of the Public Works Committee are attached. Installing the lights along the off- road trails will be expensive as noted in the Public Works case under the rural subdivision discussion; since wire is expensive and comprises a large portion of the cost. The funding for the installation of the lights could come from Park Fees since they are an improvement; however a different funding source should be determined for the operation and maintenance since the Park Fees are dependent on new development and as a district is fully developed new Park Fees will not be generated. The Commission should seek the input of their friends and neighbors regarding lighting trails; the policy should support the recreational preferences of the residents of Ramsey. 29