"Connecting Jefferson" Bike and Pedestrian Network Plan - Written Summary Report

Zoey Mauck - ISU Landscape Architecture and Planning Student Tom Neppl - Instructor Developed in partnership with the National Park Service’ Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Fall 2017

The “Connecting Jefferson’s Parks and Schools” project was a joint effort between the National Park Service’ Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, Jefferson Park and Recreation, and the Iowa State University Departments of Landscape Architecture and Community and Regional Planning. Beginning with initial site visits and preliminary meetings in August, the project has been shaped through weekly student/instructor meetings at Iowa State, monthly public meetings in Jefferson, and a variety of content reviews by Iowa State faculty, Jefferson community members, and collaboration with Vireo Landscape Architecture.

From August to December, the scope of the project has grown from a proposal strictly to create a trail system to connect parks and schools within Jefferson into a comprehensive bike and pedestrian plan to connect the entire community. If implemented, there is great opportunity for Jefferson to become a prime destination off of the Raccoon River Valley Trail and a model for other small towns when creating connectivity plans.

I would like to thank the following for making this project possible: Tom Neppl: Iowa State Course Instructor Vicky Lautner: Director of Jefferson Park and Recreation Brian Leaders: Landscape Architect with NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Rachel Oestmann: NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Intern Tom Bentley: Landscape Architect with Vireo Carlton Basmajian: Iowa State Community and Regional Planning Academic Advisor Michael Martin: Iowa State Landscape Architecture Academic Advisor And many other faculty and students who provided guidance along the way

This logo is an original design for the community of Jefferson, Iowa by Zoey Mauck

Table of Contents Vision Methods Understanding Jefferson: Parks, Schools, and Other Assets Understanding Jefferson: Uncomfortable + Missing Sidewalks Understanding Jefferson: Traffic Counts and Quiet Alternatives Design Development Network Map Infrastructure Terminology: Bike Lane Infrastructure Terminology: Multi-Use Path Infrastructure Terminology: Shoulder Path Infrastructure Terminology: Neighborhood Boulevard Infrastructure Terminology: Improved Crossing Individual Routes: Parks and Schools Individual Routes: Bike Routes Individual Routes: Community-Desired Connections Individual Routes: Route Overlaps Trail Amenities Route Overlap Locations New Connections New Connections - Total Mileage Final Vision Sources Large Network Map

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

VISION

CONNECT

E X PA N D

PROMOTE

This connectivity plan unites Jefferson’s parks, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and the Raccoon River Valley Trail with the goal of better connecting the community, expanding the current connection options, and promoting the importance of living an active lifestyle. Whether for transportation, exercise, or recreation, all community members and visitors should be able to access the many great destinations Jefferson has to offer via comfortable walking or biking infrastructure.

3

METHODS

Site Visits

Route Feedback

Infrastructure Preference

Community Meetings 4

UNDERSTANDING JEFFERSON

Parks, Schools, and Other Assets

Parks + Schools

Bike Amenities

Mapping the key areas to focus on in this network (parks, schools, and other community assets) helps to determine where routes should be considered for maximum efficiency and use.

Community Buildings

Business Areas

Landmarks

Comprehensive Assets

5

UNDERSTANDING JEFFERSON

Uncomfortable + Missing Sidewalks No Sidewalks

Mapping the missing and uncomfortable sidewalks reveals that the core of Jefferson is well-connected, but the surrounding neighborhoods in all directions are not.

One Sidewalk

Low-Quality Sidewalks

Comprehensive Sidewalk Inventory

6

UNDERSTANDING JEFFERSON VISION

Traffic Counts and Quiet Alternatives

Looking at traffic counts emphasizes that Lincoln Way and Elm Street are two major through-ways that should be avoided for a comfortable pedestrian experience. The pink lines indicate roads close to these major roads that could be considered as safer walking and biking locations.

Annual Average Daily Traffic (Iowa DOT)

Alternative Routes to Busy Roads

7

Design Development

Key

Bike and Pedestrian Network

Existing 2-Sidewalk Road Existing 1-Sidewalk Road Raccoon River Valley Trail Proposed Sidewalk Proposed Marked Crossing Propose Paving Road Proposed On-Street Bike Lane To Wild Rose Casino

es/

Proposed Off-Street Multi-Use Path

Key

Proposed Paved Shoulder Bike Path

Existing 2-Sidewalk Road

w, and feel

Existing 1-Sidewalk Road

Proposed “Node” or New Destination

Raccoon River Valley Trail

Proposed Neighborhood Boulevard

Proposed Sidewalk Proposed Marked Crossing

Proposed Bike Markings/ Signs

Propose Paving Road

Head Park

Proposed On-Street Bike Lane Joint between Head and Washington Park

Boulevard Treatment

Proposed Off-Street Multi-Use Path

Wash.

Park

Kum & Go

Head Park

Proposed Paved Shoulder Bike Path

End of Trail

Proposed “Node” or New Destination

Wash.

Park

T0wn

Hospital

Proposed Neighborhood Boulevard

Middle School

Square

Middle School

Russell Park

Russell Park

Kelso Park

Beginning of new trail

Chataqua Park

Kelso Park

To Scranton, IA Trails and Deal’s Orchard

Chataqua Park

Elementary School

Elementary School

Elementary connection to Raccoon River Valley Trail

Key

North Racco

Existing Connection

on River

Daubendiek Park

Proposed Sidewalk

To S

cra

nto n

, IA

Proposed Bike Lane Daubendiek Park

Proposed Multi-Use Path River Connection

Proposed Shoulder Path

High School

Proposed Neighborhood Boulevard Proposed Bike Markings High School

To Jefferson Community Golf Course and Henderson County Park

South to Raccoon River Valley Trail Loop

Proposed Traffic Calming Additions 0’

500’

1000’

2000’

Proposed Improved Crossing

© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA

Jefferson Community Golf Course

To Raccoon River Valley Trail Loop

Seven Hills County Park

September The initial map for the project began only with connections between the parks and schools.

To Henderson County Park

0’ 175’ 300’

0’ 175’ 300’

600’

October As the process continued, routes began connecting to the south and west neighborhoods.

600’

November Through community feedback and continued town analysis, a more comprehensive connection system was created for Jefferson.

8

NETWORK MAP

Wild Rose Casino

Hwy

Hwy

30

Highway 30

30

N Grimmell Rd

Syngenta Seeds

New Fut ur Dev e T el rail op E m xten en t an sion d Cas to in o

New Housing Development

4

Landus Cooperative

Elm St

Gelgotha Cemetery

Fareway

W Central St

E Central St

Water Tower

Head Park

Shopko

Key Existing Connection fic Railroad

Union Paci

Proposed Sidewalk

E Clark St

W Clark St

Paul Nally Park N Pinet St

Little League Fields

Proposed Bike Lane

Hy-Vee

N Grimmell Rd

E Adams St

Proposed Multi-Use Path

W Washington St

Town Courthouse Public Library

N Chestnut St

Hospital

N Walnut St

N West St

Wash.

Park

Proposed Shoulder Path

Square E Lincoln Way

W Lincoln Way Greene County Community Center

Softball and Baseball Fields

E Locust St

Jefferson Cemetery

W Monroe St

W Madison St

Proposed Bike Markings

W South St

Westwood Drive

Proposed Neighborhood Boulevard

Jefferson Fairgrounds

Elm St

W Lincoln Way

S Grimmell Rd

Post Office

Middle School

S Walnut St

4

Proposed Traffic Calming Additions

Russell Park W Park St

Kelso Park

Rd

Chataqua Park

Potential Trail Opportunity

S Grim mell

E Russell St

Elementary School Edgewood Ave

Flac

k Va

Daubendiek Park

Proposed Marked Crossing

Va lle

lle

y

S Chestnut St

er

Fla ck

coon Riv

y

North Rac

il

g

Tra

in

st

Exi

Regency Park

W Sunset Rd

Nursing Center

Sunset Rd

High School

To Scranton, IA Trails and Deal’s Orchard

Greenwood Rd

4 Jefferson Community Golf Course

Rac

coo

nR

iver

Valle

y Tr

Seven Hills County Park

9

To Henderson County Park

ail

To Raccoon River Valley Trail Loop

INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINOLOGY BIKE LANES

Designated space for cyclists on the street

Protected Bike Lane

Regular Bike Lane

Divided Bike Lane

Conditions:

-Streets wide enough to accommodate drive lanes, parking, and the bike lane -Streets with sidewalks

4’ Sidewalk

15’ ROW

6’ Bike Lane 6” Curb

8’ Parking

11.25’ Drive Lane

11.25’ Drive Lane

6’ Bike Lane

10’ Yard

1.5’ Buffer

10

INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINOLOGY MULTI-USE PATH: Bike and pedestrian traffic moved off the street

Conditions: -Enough space to accommodate a path, min. 10’ -Few driveways along the path

8’ Multiuse Path

11

8’ ROW

26’ Road

INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINOLOGY SHOULDER PATH: A path added to the shoulder of a roadway

Conditions: -Enough space to pave at least a 6’ path -Smooth pavement if added to existing paved shoulder

Varying Width ROW

6’ Bike Lane 6” Rumble Strip

25’ Road

6’ Bike Lane

Varying Width ROW

6” Rumble Strip

12

INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINOLOGY A low-traffic street with NEIGHBORHOOD BOULEVARD: traffic-calming strategies

Conditions: -Low traffic counts -Sidewalks for pedestrians -Low speed limit Dense Canopy

10’ Yard

4’ Sidewalk

11’ Drive Lane

15’ ROW 6” Curb

13

11’ Drive Lane

10’ Parking Lane 15’ ROW 6” Curb

4’ Sidewalk

10’ Yard

INFRASTRUCTURE TERMINOLOGY IMPROVED CROSSINGS: More attention drawn to pedestrians crossing the street

Conditions: -Busy street -Consistent and/or heavy bike/pedestrian use

14

INDIVIDUAL ROUTES Connecting Parks and Schools By taking into account traffic counts, sidewalk conditions, and input from the community, the quickest and safest routes between parks and schools have been established.

Routes between Schools

Routes between Parks

Routes between Parks and Schools

15

INDIVIDUAL ROUTES Bike Routes A variety of “bike loops” provide everyone the opportunity to bike recreationally, or commute throughout town.

North Loop - 3.5 Miles

Central Loop - 3.7 Miles

The Jefferson Loop - 8 Miles South Loop - 3.7 Miles

West Loop - 2.1 Miles

16

INDIVIDUAL ROUTES Community-Desired Connections In order to ensure that connections being made will be used and valued, it is important to listen to the community’s desires for the network.

Casino

Hospital

Maple Street

17

Golf Course

RRVT Expansion

Total Community Desires

ROUTE OVERLAPS The proposed routes were established through the exploration of more than one purpose. By combining the need for connections between parks and schools, additional connections to the Raccoon River Valley trail to provide expanded recreational opportunities, and the connections desired by the community, a comprehensive network is established. By stacking the proposed routes within each of these individual “networks� areas, the overlapping routes and nodes demonstrate which areas will be utilized the most and will serve as areas in need of additional trail and network amenities (displayed to the right) to accommodate the needs of the network-users.

18

TRAIL AMENITIES

Additional and New Types of Seating With an increased number of users on the proposed network, providing plenty of seating and rest opportunities will be key to attracting a wide audience of users.

Bike Wrenching Stations Placing bike wrenching stations in town will allow trail users to feel confident knowing they’ll have a place to make a quick repair.

Additionally, placing them at schools can provide an opportunity for bike maintenance education.

19

Places for Play Creating smaller “pocket parks� throughout the network will encourage further exploration of the network and provide opportunities for fun places to play along the route.

Street Trees Planting trees along the street creates a safe, enclosed feeling for network users, in addition to providing shade to make the street more comfortable.

Additional Bike Racks Bringing bike racks to the schools, parks, and major business areas will make sure network-users have a safe and reliable place to lock their bike each time they go out to ride.

Distance Signage With the addition of four smaller trail loops and one loop that ties together the entire community, tracking the distance you are traveling can make these trails more useful for those completing a workout.

ROUTE OVERLAP LOCATIONS

Parks and Schools

Golf Course

Maple and Elm

Casino

Stacking the proposed routes reveals which areas will be utilized the most and will benefit from streetscape amenities.

Additional Locations along the Network

20

NEW CONNECTIONS

Key

Key

Existing Network of Connections

Network of Connections

0’ 175’ 300’

Connections Before the Network

21

Added Connections

600’

0’ 175’ 300’

Connections after Network Completion

600’

NEW CONNECTIONS - MILEAGE 17.1 Miles of New Connections in Jefferson

Bike Lane +1.64mi

Multi-Use Path + 8mi

Sidewalk +3.43mi

Shoulder Path + 2.33mi

Neighborhood BLVD +1.7mi

22

CONNECT

E X PA N D

PROMOTE

This connectivity plan unites Jefferson’s parks, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and the Raccoon River Valley Trail with the goal of better connecting the community, expanding the current connection options, and promoting the importance of living an active lifestyle. Whether for transportation, exercise, or recreation, all community members and visitors should be able to access the many great destinations Jefferson has to offer via comfortable walking or biking infrastructure.

23

SOURCES Images Vision “Promote� image: http://www.traveliowa.com/trails/raccoon-river-valley-trail/59/ Methods: Community Meetings: http://raccoonvalleyradio.com/2017/08/recharge-wednesdays-are-back-at-thegreene-county-community-center/ Additional and New Types of Seating: http://www.eastonparkatx.com/park/hammock-garden/ Places for Play: https://www.promenyproskoly.cz/cz/inspirujte-se/fotogalerie/galery_show/13.html Street Trees: http://wfrc.org/image_library/ImageLibrary/Street%20Tree-Lined/2/med/Street_Tree_Lined_-_Salt_ Lake_City__1_.htm Bike Wrenching Stations: http://www.cyclehoop.com/product/pumps-stations/deluxe-repair-station/ Additional Bike Racks: http://intensecycles.co/bicycle-rack/bike-garden-bike-rack-outdoor-formssurfaces-withinbicycle-rack/ Distance Signage: http://www.envmt.com/?p=506 Infrastructure Preference Diagrams http://ruraldesignguide.com

24

W Lincoln Way

To Scranton, IA Trails and Deal’s Orchard

North Ra

River

Seven Hills County Park

ccoon

ific Railroa

d

Hospital

N Grimmell Rd

N Grimmell Rd

Daubendiek Park

S Grimmell Rd

Ex

is

g tin

il Tra

Water Tower

W Central St

Kelso Park

Wash.

Park

N Pinet St

y

Va lle

Edgewood Ave

Greenwood Rd

Shopko

Jefferson Community Golf Course

W Sunset Rd

ck

Fla

Chataqua Park

W Park St

W South St

W Madison St

Little League Fields

W Clark St

Head Park

N Walnut St

4

Elm St

Public Library

4

4

Middle School W Monroe St

Hwy

High School

To Henderson County Park

Regency Park

Russell Park

Square

Courthouse

Town

E Adams St

Nursing Center

Sunset Rd

Post Office

Hy-Vee

E Russell St

re T elo rail pm Ex en ten t a sio nd n Ca to sin o

ev

Ne Fu w tu D

New Housing Development

30

E Clark St

W Washington St

Fareway

Greene County Community Center

Elm St

Gelgotha Cemetery

S Walnut St

Westwood Drive

W Lincoln Way

Union Pac

S Gr

Rd immell

Syngenta Seeds

ey

Highway 30

Va ll ck

Hwy

Fla

30

N Chestnut St

25 S Chestnut St

Wild Rose Casino

Elementary School

E Lincoln Way

Paul Nally Park

E Central St

Landus Cooperative

Key

Jefferson Cemetery

rV alle y

Riv e

Trail

To Raccoon River Valley Trail Loop

Proposed Marked Crossing

oon

Rac c

Potential Trail Opportunity

Proposed Traffic Calming Additions

Proposed Bike Markings

Proposed Neighborhood Boulevard

Proposed Shoulder Path

Proposed Multi-Use Path

Proposed Bike Lane

Proposed Sidewalk

Existing Connection

Jefferson Fairgrounds

Softball and Baseball Fields

Network Map

E Locust St

N West St