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Title: On the Trail: A Path Towards a Better Trail System in Saratoga County

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2017

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Abstract: Americans are increasingly favoring walking and biking as a means of getting around. However, because American suburbs, towns, and cities lack infrastructure that support walking and biking, many Americans still rely on automobiles. Within the last few years, multi-use trails have emerged as a solution to retrofit the suburbs for greater walkability and bikeability, and make towns and cities more connected to the outdoors for both recreation and commuting. Saratoga County is a good reflection of this national trend with over 1,000 miles of trails and very active trail planning. We sought to evaluate the Saratoga County trail system based on several conditions previously studied throughout the United States such as connectivity, safety, presence of adequate maps and signage, trails supporting multiple uses, and the level of public input into the planning process. Our research addressed the following questions: How are people using trails in Saratoga County? What is the planning process for trails? What is the level of communication between the public and the trail planners? and How can the Saratoga County trail system be improved? To conduct our research, we sent out a public online survey, conducted semi-structured interviews with municipal planners and community influentials, attended community trail planning meetings, and conducted a spatial-analysis of connectivity using GIS. Our public survey indicated a desire for greater trail connectivity, better maps and signage, and a consolidated trail map. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation revealed strong communication between the public and trail planners during the planning process and challenges trail planners face during the planning and development process.

Url: https://www.skidmore.edu/wri/documents/9-JacquieJacobCaroline.pdf

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Authors: Carames, Jacqueline; Lightman, Jacob; Tuttle, Caroline

Publisher: Skidmore College

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Land Use/Urban Organization, Other

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