USER GROUPTA RG ET$
The C & D mu lti-use trail is designed to accommodate an array of non-motorized users including wa lkers. hikers. joggers, runners. bicyclists. in-line skaters, equestrians, bird-watchers, boat-watchers, anglers, nature lovers, and picnickers and be handicap-accessible . Wherever very different kinds of users share tra il faci lities, it is important to recognize and accommodate their differing needs or conflicts of use. Cycl ists moving at a fast speed easily startle horses, for example, creating potentiall y dangerous situations. Walker and wi ldlife may also be startled by cyclists. Walkers slowing suddenly may pose hazards to cyclists. The conflicts are inherent in mixed use and cannot be reconc iled by trail design alone. Often the conflicts are as much perceived as they are rea l. "Crowding was rated ... as the most important trail-re lated cause of conflict. In general, socia ll behaviora l factors were rated as being more important causes of conflict than were tra il-related factors." (Gambi l. Multi-Use Trail Management Po licy: User-Group Conflict and Resource Impact Issues,200S) Adequate trai l width, appropriate signage, surface material and adequate trai l maintenance are all critical considerations for a successfu l mu lti-use trail system. Stud ies have shown that there are programmatic solutions to reso lving trail conflicts. They include user-based programs such as; Bioretention cells are designed to function similar to rain gardens. except that they collect larger quantities of runoff. The cells are designed with more temporary storage and have more depth and structure than a rain garden.
Round washed aggregate Continuous trench backfilled ,tQ 'cre~tone gggregate rapped wittftilter fabric
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with filter fabric -.....,~~
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Slope
Note: Th ese options are not su itab le so lu tion s in a reas above or adjace nt to the extensive underdrain system already in place to prevent slope failures.
Bioswales or vegetated swales are an alternative to standard underground storm sewer systems. They intercept or receive impervious surface runoff and blend infiltration and s low conveyance of stormwater. The soil matrix of the swale can be amended to enhance infiltration and percolation of stormwater runoff. T hese swales can be engineered to hand le the high frequency. low intensity storm events wh ile providing vegetated filter ing. Bioswa les are discharged to groundwater, storm sewer intakes or directly to surface water.
CHESAPEAKE & DELAWARE CANAL
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TRAIL CONCEPT PLAN
I. Education of user-groups by user-group organizations and media on proper trail use and tra il etiquette 2. Education to be provided by tra il-managing agencies 3. Brochures, maps and other tra il-related information for dissem ination to tra il users 4. Commu ni cation between trai l-managing agencies and user-groups S. Patroll ing or monitor ing to reduce conflict on the ir mu lti-use tra ils - Vo lunteer patrols have been effective ways to reduce confl icts and enforce trai l etiquette 6. Involve user groups in the dec ision mak ing process and in tra il ma intenance programs
The trail design has accounted for the existing recreational activities that occur. Hunters and dog trainers are very active groups that have a long tradition of using the Canal lands. Th is plan is des igned so that hunters wi ll continue to have access to t heir current designated hunting grounds in both Maryla nd and Delaware. These activ ities do not presently take place at the first tier of service road, where the trai l is planned . Equestrians w ill have continued access to the trail, including the second level tier trails which wi ll be unpaved. Use of the first tier tra il wi ll be through separation by use of surface materials and signage. Where horses are all owed, a soft stone fines surface wil l be provided to accommodate their needs. During the Public Workshops in December 20005. several representatives of the Equestrian groups requested adequate parking for horse trailers, with pu ll through space and water availab le for both people and horses. Equestrians are an active user group along the Canal, where they presently enjoy over 30 miles of unpaved trail along the service roads and at Lums Pond State Park. Overall. the mu lti-use trai l is intended to meet the needs of the current user groups polled during the 'Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Recreation Study Public Involvement' public questionnaire as we ll as future needs as the trai l is constructed over time.
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