Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/13/2006

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Shryock, Olds, Erickson, Hansen, LaMere, and Lehman. Voting No: None. Absent: None. Case #4: Discuss Trail Lighting Civil Engineer 11 Linton explained 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. There is a pedestrian underpass on TH 47 that is lighted. They are proposing additional underpasses as the City continues to develop. There will be 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. Chairperson Johns thought on the whole, she is not in favor of lighting. Underpasses and bridges should he lit as a safety reason. She did not think they had any groomed trails yet for cross country skiing and such. Commissioner LaMere wondered if there were some residents asking for lighting. Civil Engineer II Linton stated this all started with subdivision lighting discussion and it carried over to the trails. He stated outside of the Town Center Area, there is not any lighting on trails. Chairperson Johns thought they would need to have lighting consistent on a trail because inconsistent lighting may be more dangerous. Commissioner Shryock agreed and did not think lighting on trails through back yards was necessary. She thought trails in the major parks would be nice to have lighting and transportation corridors would be nice to have lighting in order to encourage walking to and from work and for safety reasons. She did not think it would be out of line at some point to look into lighting certain transportation and major trail corridors. ~ Commissioner Lehman concurred and thought lighting throughout the trail system itself would take away from the uniqueness of the trails. He did not think it was necessary to light ail of the trails. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood suggested looking at lighting at mid block crossing of trails. Commissioner Olds wondered if there has been any thought regarding installing solar lighting because of the cost of connecting electricity and running power. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood stated they have experimented with solar lighting and they were not vandal resistant enough and the durability and technology is not there yet. Park and Recreation Commission/March 9, 2006 Page 4 of 7