Foothills Plan Evaluation
Phase I Review & Future Recommendations
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Due to public concern regarding trail building impacts and straying from the Plan, the City paused Phase I at approximately 85% completion, in addition to any future trail construction, to formally evaluate Phase I construction and ensure that future phases meet the Plan’s vision and goals. This Foothills plan evaluation and recommendations were developed by natural area recreation planner SE Group and their subcontractors, trail industry experts Kay-Linn Enterprises and Applied Trails Research.
This presentation has passed. You can view the recorded presentation here. For additional questions, please contact the project manager, Tyler Fonarow, at tyler.fonarow@slcgov.com
Foothills Trail System Plan Evaluation
Strengths
- Includes a significant amount of input from stakeholders and the public
- Identifies the desire and need for an expanded, managed trail system to increase accessibility, safety, and enjoyment for users and protection of the environment
- Identified the diversity of potential users in the Foothills and their needs
Areas for Improvement
- Clarify and elaborate on the environmental damage caused by the many existing unplanned trails
- More specific implementation procedures
- More extensive trail alignment planning to match desired user experiences
- More specific implementation strategies for managing natural and cultural resources
Phase I Implementation Evaluation
Strengths
- New trail corridors enhanced access of new and existing users to access desired Foothills destinations.
- Trail design and construction created user-specific trails (separate alignments for downhill bikes and hiking) meeting the Foothill Plan’s goals for increased safety and enjoyment.
- Closed eroding trail segments and replaced them with sustainably constructed alignments.
Areas for Improvement
- Trail development occurred in some areas constrained by both overly steep terrain and challenging soils.
- Construction quality of some segments was poor due to inefficient planning and insufficient oversight.
- Some trail segments were developed without a well-defined purpose.
Recommendations
These recommendations serve as a starting point for the development and assessment of management approaches for the Foothills. It is crucial to note that these recommendations do not constitute a comprehensive management plan. Instead, they lay the groundwork for future considerations. These recommendations are intended to support the 2020 Salt Lake City Foothills Trail System Plan vision and goals.
Recommendations to implement the Foothills Plan through a more balanced and environmentally sensitive planning process include:
Planning Processes
Conduct Restoration and Recreation Planning by Zone
Differentiated by natural features to better reflect landscape character, this approach allows for context-sensitive decision-making.
Full Recommendation
Adopt a Zone by Zone Planning and Implementation Process
Establish a more formal process through which Public Lands can thoughtfully implement trail rehabilitation, development, and access
projects.
Prioritize the Maintenance and Enhancement of Existing Facilities
The Foothills Plan does not provide an evaluation of the existing formal trails within the Salt Lake City Foothills. This is an important consideration for the future capacity to manage the overall system and provide high quality recreation experiences.
Communication Processes
Develop and Implement a Consistent Public Communication Strategy
Public Lands recognizes that maintaining a high-level of communication with the public is important and has
implemented a standard communication strategy.
Develop a Unified Wayfinding System
Improved wayfinding can help accommodate a growing number of users and preserve delicate ecosystems by routing visitors to designated trails and away from unsanctioned routes.
Management Processes
Increase Trail Count Date to Inform Decision Making
Salt Lake City has been maintaining trail count data throughout its networks since 2016. Continue to use the systems in place, but leveraging and utilizing that data through new partnerships, big data resources, and community surveys.
Develop Management Plan
A management plan should be developed which addresses the unique qualities and considerations identified for each FOSZ. The Foothills Natural area has never been actively managed, and the Foothills Plan and this evaluation processes have highlighted maintenance and management needs that must be addressed to preserve the Salt Lake City Foothills as a place for nature and recreation.