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MINUTES <br />PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION <br />OCTOBER 6, 2011 <br />COUNTRY Sanders presented a sketch of the Country Drive area showing a trail/ <br />DRIVE sidewalk improvement the entire length of Country Drive from Little <br />TRAIL Canada Road to Rice Street. Sanders reported that in order to improve an <br />off-street trail there are two small areas on the southern portion of this <br />stretch where additional right -of -way will be needed and a longer stretch <br />in the area of Dock 86 to Spruce Street. Sanders also noted that it will <br />likely be necessary to do a boardwalk trail where the Blacktern Pond is if <br />the trail is kept on the south side of Country Drive. Otherwise, the current <br />crossing at Spruce Street, diverting pedestrian /bike traffic to the north side <br />of Country Drive from Spruce to Rice Street, would be used. <br />Steinert asked how wide the trail would be. Sanders replied that it would <br />be more of a sidewalk than a trail — a sidewalk is typically about 6 feet <br />wide and a trail 8 to 10 feet wide. Keeping the width at 6 feet minimizes <br />the need for right -of -way. Slain asked if it makes a difference if this is <br />called a sidewalk or a trail. Sanders was not sure if it made a difference <br />with regard to the City's assessment policy. The Parks & Rec Director <br />noted that sidewalk versus trail issue was not discussed with the City <br />Engineer, but that the City has never assessed wither sidewalk or trail to <br />adjacent properties. <br />Lolmaugh commented that this improvement will be a good addition to <br />the City's trail /sidewalk system. She reported that she drives Country <br />Drive every morning and there are a lot of cars on that street. <br />Sanders noted that this is not a small project and the cost will be <br />significant, although he did not think right -of -way acquisition costs would <br />be huge. He pointed out that there are a few areas where it appears the <br />right -of -way line is out to the Country Drive right -of -way. These are <br />business properties, and it appears that an easement could be taken <br />without too much disruption. <br />The Director indicated that Sanders will identify the specifics of the <br />easements needed and do some calculations. Sanders stated that he would <br />put together some cost estimates and a feasibility report that can be given <br />to the City Council. The City Engineer will be involved in this work. <br />Fahey asked how the easements would be paid for. The Director stated <br />that the cost would likely be paid from the Park Land Acquisition Fund. <br />2 <br />