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148PARKS , TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />DRAFT Dec14-17 <br />for review only <br />General Guidelines for Greenway, Trail and Sidewalk Development <br />The following guidelines apply to Hugo's trail system: <br />1� Use the Existing and Proposed Trails Map (Map 6-5) as a general guide for trail development, but work with residents, landowners, <br />and developers in designing and constructing specific trails. This plan does not recommend acquiring land for trails through eminent <br />domain� <br />2� Provide trails that link important areas of the City� For example, provide trails that link major residential areas to schools, the <br />downtown area, parks, and regional trails� <br />3� Do not expect the City to design, fund, build, and maintain every trail in Hugo� Snowmobilers and equestrians, in particular, have <br />worked with private landowners to provide trails on private land and they should continue to do this� The City can help coordinate <br />planning efforts between the various organizations that are interested in developing trails in Hugo� <br />4� Design the trail system to be accessible to people with physical disabilities� Guidelines for developing accessible trails are available <br />from many sources, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources� <br />5� Provide trail loops of various lengths that allow users to return to their starting point without backtracking� <br />6� Although topography can add interest to a trail, avoid constructing trails in areas that will require extensive cut and fill. <br />7� Design and construct trails with proposed development� Do not wait until after development has already occurred� <br />8� Provide a maintenance program that ensures trails will be properly maintained� Poorly maintained trails are more of a liability than <br />an asset� <br />9� Trails should be planned to connect to other nearby regional trials and trails in other communities� <br />Sidewalks serve several purposes within a community, including <br />providing alternative transportation routes for individuals who choose <br />not to drive, provide safe routes for exercise, provide connections to <br />neighborhood parks and provide opportunities for neighbors to connect <br />with each other� The City should encourage sidewalks as part of new <br />developments within the urban area� <br />The City has completed an update to the existing Existing and <br />Proposed Trails Plan (see Map xx – Existing and Proposed Trails)� <br />This new plan shows the potential trail routes in the City that are <br />desired by the community� <br />Different trail types require different locational needs� Table 6-9 <br />(Locational Criteria for Trail Types) provides guidance on the most <br />desirable locations for different trail types�