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Home My WebLink About2023-002 Pecan Creek Regional TrailDate: January 6, 2023 Report No. 2023-002 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Pecan Creek Regional Trail Master Plan BACKGROUND: City Council adopted the Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan (PRTSMP) on March 1, 2022. The PRTSMP identifies trails as one of the community's main priorities and mentions a future trail along the Pecan Creek Corridor. Hence, on May 17, 2022, City Council approved a professional services agreement with Halff Associates, Inc., for professional design services for the Pecan Creek Regional Trail Master Plan. The City of Denton owns a significant amount of land within the Pecan Creek corridor. The proposed path will go through both private and City land. The regional trail length is estimated to be between seven to ten miles long. The trail's starting point is from the DCTA Rail Trail/Fred Moore Park, with the endpoint providing a connection towards Lewisville Lake. The life cycle for a park master plan consists of the stages below. The project is currently in stage five: 1. Hire Consulting Firm 2. Assessment & Rendering Creation 3. Community Engagement & Workshop Meetings 4. Board & Commissions Engagement 5. Final Adoption of Master Plan 6. Construction Document Creation 7. If applicable, Grant Writing/Application 8. Funding Allocation 9. Procurement Process/Construction 10. Grand Opening The contract scope entails creating a 30% schematic design to provide the primary alignment/blueprint of the trail. Over the last eight months, staff conducted steps two through four of the master plan life cycle to identify the recommended scope of the project for a final plan. DISCUSSION: From June to August 2022, Halff Associates, Inc. and Parks and Recreation staff held numerous meetings and on-site visits in collaboration with City staff from the following departments: Environmental Services and Sustainability, Capital Projects/Engineering Department, and the Development Service Review Team (Planning, Engineering, Wastewater, Solid Waste, Fire, Transportation). Through this process, Halff understood the trail limits, hydrology, and surrounding ecological barriers that may exist. With this information, Halff provided an initial conceptual alignment graphic for community feedback. Date: January 6, 2023 Report No. 2023-002 Engagement Process On August 30, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) started the community engagement phase by conducting a virtual community input meeting to seek feedback on the conceptual alignment. As part of the community engagement process, staff attended numerous events highlighted in Chart A below. These events were beneficial in achieving the final conceptual plan. The feedback received was positive, and residents agreed with the proposed alignment. In addition, most of the comments received were more specific to details that will be accomplished in future public meetings as the trail design approaches the 100% design plans. Below are some of those comments:  Trail surfacing  Construction timeline  Connection to DCTA Rail Trail  Shade along trail  Park furnishings: Benches, water fountains, E-bike chargers, bicycle maintenance stations, and workout stations along the trail. Chart A: Public Engagement Recap Date Event Location Estimated Attendance 08/30/2022 Virtual Input Meeting Zoom 23 09/14/2022 Preserve at Pecan Creek HOA Committee Preserve at Pecan Creek Clubhouse 6 09/29/2022 PARKing Day Downtown Square 250 09/29/2022 National Night Out Wolff's Park 500 10/03/2022 1st Park Board Presentation Civic Center 10/04/2022 National Night Out Joe Skiles Park 250 10/05/2022 Denton 360 North Branch Library 18 10/05/2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff's Park 125 10/07/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 800 10/08/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 2500 10/09/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 1500 10/15/2022 Dia de Los Muertos MLK Rec Center 25 10/20/2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff's Park 100 11/17/2022 State of the City Embassy Suites 25 12/06/2022 ALH Lunch Discussion American Legion Hall Sr. Center 12 12/08/2022 SED Community Meeting MLK Jr. Recreation Center 16 TOTAL EVENTS: 16 ESTIMATED TOTALS 6,150 Discuss Denton.com Engagement Website Visits Subscription (Following Project) Comments /Posts 236 91 4 Date: January 6, 2023 Report No. 2023-002 Based on all the findings, Halff Associates and PARD staff identified a final alignment plan that will feature the following as depicted in Exhibit 3:  Seven to eight miles of the primary trail.  Minimum of ten-foot-wide concrete trail  Identified potential trailhead locations (Park & Walk/Park & Bike)  The trail plan is portrayed in segments (phases) for flexibility of implementation. Cost Summary Halff Associates Inc. contract is funded by Parkland Dedication and Development fees for the total amount of amount $145,000.00. Staff is looking at ways to reduce costs by making adjustments such as eliminating bridge crossings with at-grade crossings in certain sections. This will be looked at further as designs documents progress. The provided cost incorporates the installation of bridge crossings. PARD staff intends to submit grant applications through various organizations that offer grant funding for further design and construction of trails. Currently, $1,000,000 is allocated to this project from Park Dedication/Development and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. PARD staff anticipates using this funding to potentially receive a competitive matching grant for further design and construction of trails Halff provided additional estimated costs regarding anticipated design and annual maintenance costs. Next Steps: If Council approves the final plan, Halff Associates will finalize the 30% schematic plan. The 30% milestone will provide PARD with documents for grant funding consideration. PARD staff intends to submit grant applications through various organizations that offer grant funding for further design and construction of trails, such as:  North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)  Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD)  Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). PARD staff anticipates submitting a preliminary application for a Transportation Alternative Grant through TXDOT in January 2023. If TXDOT authorizes approval of the initial application, the main application will be due in June 2023. Halff Associates will need three to four months to complete the 30% schematic plan, which meets the TXDOT grant deadline window. CONCLUSION: Please provide input to the City Manager’s Office on this master plan by 5 p.m. on January 13 , 2023. Staff will utilize Council input in a future meeting requesting approval and adoption of the Pecan Creek Regional Trail Master Plan Date: January 6, 2023 Report No. 2023-002 ATTACHMENTS: 1. Public Input Presentation 2. Final Presentation (Draft) 3. Initial Conceptual Master Plan 4. Final Pecan Creek Trail Alignment 5. Public Engagement Report STAFF CONTACT: Chris Escoto Park Planner chris.escoto@cityofdenton.com (940) 349-8232 REQUESTOR: Staff Initiated PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Parks and Recreation STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: Parks and Recreation Department 1 hour CITY OF DENTON PECAN CREEK LINEAR TRAIL MASTER PLAN PUBLIC INPUT MEETING AGENDA •PROJECT BACKGROUND •ENGAGEMENT •PROJECT TEAM •TRAIL DEFINITION •TRAIL ALIGNMENT •Q/A •PARKS, RECREATION SYSTEM MASTER PLAN ADOPTED MARCH 2022. TRAIL IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE PLAN. •SCOPE OF PROJECT CONSISTS OF 30% SCHEMATIC LEVEL (PROJECT ALIGNMENT) •INTENT OF PROJECT IS TO IDENTIFY THE TRAIL ALIGNMENT AND PURSUE THE REMAINING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION THROUGH GRANT FUNDING. •SEVERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FEDERAL, STATE, AND REGIONAL (NPS, TPWD, NCTCOG, TXDOT) •THIS STAGE WILL MAINLY FOCUS ON ALIGNMENT AND TYPE OF EXPERIENCE FOR THE TRAIL. MINIMUM 10FT (CONCRETE, NATURAL, BIKE/PED BRIDGES, BOARDWALKS, ETC.) •LATER ALONG THE PROCESS WE WILL CONDUCT ADDITIONAL PUBLIC MEETINGS TO SEEK INPUT ON DESIRED AMENITIES, COMPONENTS OF TRAIL. PROJECT BACKGROUND ENGAGEMENT PROJECT KICK-OFF WITH CITY STAFF/CONSULTANT JUNE 2022 ON SITE TRAIL ASSESSMENTS WITH URBAN FORESTER, ENVIRONMENTAL, ENGINEERING STAFF, JUNE -JULY 2022 PRESENTATION AND PROJECT INFORMATION POSTED TO WWW.DISCUSSDENTON.COM HELD VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING ON AUGUST 30, 2022 PRESENTATION TO THE PRESERVE AT PECAN CREEK HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2022. PARK PLANNING STAFF ATTENDING VARIOUS SPECIAL EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER. PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF •GARY PACKAN, DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION • •FINCE ESPINOZA, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PARK PLANNING & OPERATION •JOHN WHITMORE, PARK PLANNING MANAGER •CHRIS ESCOTO, PARK PLANNER •HAYWOOD MORGAN, URBAN FORESTERPROJECT TEAM ADDITIONAL CITY STAFF •NATHAN GEORGE, SR. PLANNER BICYCLE, PEDESTRIAN, ADA COORDINATOR •CHRISTI UPTON, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES & SUSTAINABILITY •DEVELOPMENT SERVICES REVIEW TEAM (ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL, FIRE, PLANNING, REAL ESTATE, SOLID WASTE, W/W) CONSULTANT •HALFF ASSOCIATES INC, DAVID BUCHANAN, PROJECT MANAGER WHAT IS THE PECAN CREEK LINEAR TRAIL MASTER PLAN? UNDERSTAND ANALYZE LISTEN ALIGNMENT STUDY•PROJECT FRAMEWORK •VISION AND GOALS •NATURAL •BUILT •PROJECT SITE •ALIGNMENT REFINEMENT •CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT •BOARD/ COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT •ALIGNMENT FINE TUNING •IDENTIFYING PROGRAM •EXPLORATION OF COST WHERE WE ARE GOING START •PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN WHERE HAVE WE BEEN •DENTON PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN •PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS •IDENTIFYING PRIORITIES FOR THE CITY PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED 1.TRAILS WERE IDENTIFIED AS A PRIORITY IN OUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS FOR THE CITY’S PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN 2.GREENBELTS BECOME A FOCUS FOR LIMITED INTERRUPTED CONNECTIVITY 3.PROMOTE CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY 4.DESIGN FOR ALL USERS TO PROMOTE SAFETY, EXPLORATION AND SOCIAL BENEFITS •PROJECT LIMITS •CONSTRAINTS & OPPORTUNITIES UNDERSTAND PROJECT FRAMEWORK DOWNTOWN DENTON DENTON CITY LIMITS UNDERSTAND PROJECT FRAMEWORK •PROJECT LIMITS •CONSTRAINTS & OPPORTUNITIES MAYHILLDCTA TRAIL RAIL TRAIL PRESERVE AT PECAN MCKINNEY STLOOP 288WOODROWMORSE FRED MOORE PARK WOODROW PARK CARL YOUNG SR PARK MORSE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT DENTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE TOWNSEND GREEN PAULIE UNDERSTAND VISION AND GOALS CREATE A SAFE, ACCESSIBLE CONNECTION FROM DCTA RAIL TRAIL TO THE CITY’S EASTERN LIMITS1 REVEAL THE CORRIDORS NATURAL BEAUTY2 PRESERVE EXISTING ECOLOGY LIMITING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT3 CONNECT THE COMMUNITY4 TYPICAL TRAIL BRIDGES ROAD CROSSINGS TRAILHEADS UNDERSTAND VISION AND GOALS TRAIL ALIGNMENT ANALYZE •SITE ASSESSMENT •NATURAL SYSTEMS •BUILT SYSTEMS CHARACTER TEAM ASSESSMENT CONNECTIVITY SAFETY ANALYZE WE WANT THE TRAIL TO BE USABLE AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE!!! HYDRAULICS PROPERTY OWNERSHIP X WE WANT TO BE ON PUBLIC (CITY OWNED) PROPERTIES PRIVATE PROPERTIES PUBLIC PROPERTIES •SITE ASSESSMENT •NATURAL SYSTEMS •BUILT SYSTEMS ANALYZE •SITE ASSESSMENT •NATURAL SYSTEMS •BUILT SYSTEMS HYDRAULICS HYDRAULICS PROPERTY OWNERSHIPS 10 YEAR FLOODPLAIN 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN PRIVATE MUNICIPAL RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURAL PUBLIC WORKS X X SEGMENT A –DCTA A TRAIL RAIL TRAIL TO WOODROW ANALYZE TRAIL ALIGNMENT MORSE PRAIRIE WOODROWWILSON RUDDELLLAKEYBRADSHAWBUSHEY ANALYZE TRAIL ALIGNMENT WOODROWLOOP 288DUCHESS SEGMENT A –WOODROW TO LOOP 288 ANALYZE TRAIL ALIGNMENT MORSELOOP 288MAYHILLGLEN GARYSEGMENT C –LOOP 288 TO PAULIE ANALYZE TRAIL ALIGNMENT GRISSOM ORRGLEN GARYSEGMENT D –PAULIE TO TOWNSEND GREEN ANALYZE TRAIL ALIGNMENT PEDERSON CRKWATERS EDGESEGMENT D –TOWNSEND GREEN TO PRESERVE AT PECAN AND MCKINNEY PLAN PROJECT UNDERSTANDING CONSTRAINTS OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS LISTEN ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES •PROJECT ROADMAP •PROJECT FRAMEWORK •BOARD/COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT •CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT •NATURAL •BUILT •PROJECT SITELISTEN •BOARD/COUNCIL ENGAGEMENT •CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT ALIGNMENT STUDY •FINDING THE BALANCE •ALTERNATIVE ROUTING ALTERNATE ALIGNMENT 1 PREFERRED ALIGNMENT FEASIBILITY COST SAFETY ACCEPTANCE ALTERNATE ALIGNMENT 2 ALTERNATE ALIGNMENT 3 THANK YOU! FOR ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK, PAST PRESENTATIONS AND FUTURE COMMUNICATION PLEASE GO TO WWW.DISCUSSDENTON.COM CORRIDOR MAP MAYHILLDCTA TRAIL RAIL TRAIL PRESERVE AT PECAN MCKINNEY STLOOP 288WOODROWMORSE FRED MOORE PARK WOODROW PARK CARL YOUNG SR PARK MORSE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT DENTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE TOWNSEND GREEN PAULIE Pecan Creek Trail Master Plan (Draft) Parks and Recreation Project Background Location:Pecan Creek (Starting point DCTA Rail Trail/Fred Moore Park heading east towards Lewisville Lake) Consultant: Halff & Associates City Staff: Parks and Recreation, Environmental Services, Engineering, and Development Services Review Team Project Kickoff: June 2022 Project Scope: Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan adopted March 2022. Pecan Creek Trail was identified within the plan. First trail project from plan. •30% schematic level & project cost estimations. •This is the blueprint and will identify the trail alignment. •Intent of project is to identify the trail alignment and pursue the remaining Design & Construction through grant funding. (Federal, State, Regional Grants) Master Plan Process 1.Hire consulting firm 2.Assessment & Rendering Creation 3.Community Engagement & Workshop Meetings 4.Board & Commissions Engagement 5.Final Adoption of Master Plan 6.Construction Document Creation 7.If applicable, Grant Writing/Application 8.Funding Allocation 9.Procurement Process/Construction 10.Grand Opening Project Vision & Goals 1.Trails were identified as a priority in our public engagement meetings for the City’s Parks, Recreation and Trails System Master Plan GOALS: •Create a Safe, accessible connection from DCTA Rail Trail to the City’s eastern limits towards Lewisville Lake. 2.Greenbelts & Easements become a focus for limited interrupted connectivity GOALS: •Reveal the corridors natural beauty •Preserve existing ecology limiting environmental impact 3.Promote connectivity and accessibility GOALS: •Design for all users to promote safety, exploration and social benefits •The main trail path will consist of a minimum of 10 ft. wide concrete trails with secondary access points such as granite, asphalt, etc. DOWNTOWN DENTON DENTON CITY LIMITS TEAM ASSESSMENTSAFETY CONNECTIVITY C H A R A C T E R CHARACTER Examples of Trail Corridor TYPICAL TRAIL BRIDGES ROAD CROSSINGS TRAILHEADS MAYHILLDCTA TRAIL RAIL TRAIL PRESERVE AT PECAN MCKINNEY STLOOP 288WOODROWMORSE FRED MOORE PARK WOODROW PARK CARL YOUNG SR PARK MORSE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT DENTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE TOWNSEND GREEN PAULIE Initial Alignment Public Engagement -Summary Date Event Location Estimated Attendance June-July 2022 Field Assessments with Urban Forester, Engineering Staff On-Site Field Assessment 7 staff & 4 Consultant Aug. 30, 2022 Virtual Community Meeting Zoom 23 Sep. 14, 2022 Preserve at Pecan Creek HOA Preserve at Pecan Creek Clubhouse 6 Sep. 29, 2022 PARKing Day Downtown Square 250 Sep. 29, 2022 National Night Out Event Industrial St./Wolff’s Park 500 Oct. 3, 2022 Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board Meeting Civic Center Oct. 4, 2022 National Night Out Event Joe Skiles Park 250 Oct. 5, 2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff’s Park 125 Oct. 5, 2022 Denton 360 North Branch Library 18 Oct. 7-9, 2022 (3 days)Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Civic Center Park 4,800 Oct. 15, 2022 Dia De Los Muertos MLK Jr. Recreation Center 25 Oct. 20, 2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff’s Park 100 Nov. 17, 2022 State of the City Embassy Suites 25 Dec. 6, 2022 ALH Community Lunch ALH Senior Center 12 Dec. 8, 2022 SED City Community Meeting MLK Jr. Recreation Center 16 June-December 2022 Discuss Denton.com Engagement Online In-Person Statistics Total Public Events: 16 Estimated Total Attendance: 6,150 Online Statistics Website Visits:236 Subscriptions (Follow Project):91 Comments/Posts: 4 Engagement Feedback •Overall, comments about the alignment were positive. •Most comments are specific to the timeline and related to the amenities residents want to see featured. •Unfortunately, these specifics aren’t necessarily known yet, but will be identified in the future plans for this project. (I.E) •Construction timelines •Park furnishing/amenities along trail Final Alignment Estimated Costs •Overall Trail Cost (2022): $18,816,752.50 •Segments give the City the flexibility for a phased approach. •Phase 1A: $2,822,105.00 •*Alternative-Phase 1B: $2,240,485.00 (At Grade Crossings) •Phase 2: $2,240485.00 •Phase 3: $4,445,870.00 •Phase 4: $4,679,155.00 •Phase 5A (Townsend Green): $885,235.00 •*USACE Approval-Phase 5B (Preserve at Pecan Creek Crossing) 2,740,530.00 •Anticipated Annual Maintenance Cost: $109,712.38 •Further Design Cost: (Shovel Ready): $2,840,248.13 Next Steps •If approved, Halff Associates will finalize the 30% schematic plan. •The 30% milestone will provide PARD with documents for grant funding consideration. •Halff Associates anticipates submitting a preliminary application for a Transportation Alternative Grant through TXDOT in January 2023. If TXDOT authorizes approval of the initial application, the main application will be due in June 2023. •Halff Associates will need three to four months to complete the 30% schematic plan, which meets the TXDOT grant deadline window. Thank you! ±0 2,0001,000FeetLEGENDPecan Creek Proposed TrailRoadsDenton Pecan Creek TrailStatus UnknownDoes Not ExistExistingFundedPlannedInfrastructureInstitutionalMunicipalPrivateResidential100-Year FloodplainJEFFREY DRLAKEY STKIMBERLY DRWILSON STSWISHER RDE HICKORY STE PRAIRIE STKERLEY STDUTCHESSDRLANE STS WOOD STBUSHEY STNEWTON STANGELBENDDAWNOAKSDRL A K E V IE W BLVDBISHOPPINERD MORSESTS RUDDELL STSPENCER RDEMICKNNEYS TL EW ISVILLE PADD LINGTRAILCO O PER C R EEKTRAIL35E377288LEWISVILLE LEWISVILLE LAKELAKEMINGOTRAILDCATRAILTRAILVILLAGES OF CARMEL PROPERTY TRAILMCKINNEYTRA ILSOUTHLAKESTRAILSTEASLEYTRAIL2499TRAILLILLIANMILLERPKWYBELLAVENLOCUSTSTMILLS RDS TRINITY RDWOODROWLNAUDRALNSHADYOAKSDRCOLORADOBLVDUNICO RNLAKELOOPTREATMENTPLANTRDMAYHILLRDMAYHILLTRAILMAYHILLRD12346891112135710±LEGENDPECAN CREEK TRAILPhase 1Parks0 1000 2000 3000FeetPlanned TrailsExisting Trails100-Year FloodplainFunded TrailsStatus UnknownPhase 2Phase 3Phase 4Phase 5Phase 6Phase 7Phase 8Roads Event #Date Event Location Est. Attendance 1 8/30/2022 Virtual Community Meeting Zoom 23 2 9/14/2022 Preserve at Pecan Creek HOA Preserve at Pecan Creek Clubhouse 6 3 9/29/2022 PARKing Day Downtown Square 250 4 9/29/2022 National Night Out Wolff's Park 500 5 10/3/2022 1st Park Board Presentation Civic Center 6 10/4/2022 National Night Out Joe Skiles Park 250 7 10/5/2022 Denton 360 North Branch Library 18 8 10/5/2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff's Park 125 9 10/7/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 800 10 10/8/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 2500 11 10/9/2022 Arts & Jazz Festival Quakertown Park 1500 12 10/15/2022 Dia de los Muertos MLK Rec Center 25 13 10/20/2022 Twilight Tunes Wolff's Park 100 13 11/17/2022 State of the City Embassy Suites 25 15 12/6/2022 ALH Lunch Discussion American Legion Hall Sr. Center 12 16 12/8/2022 SED Community Meeting MLK Jr Rec Center 16 TOTAL 6150 Pecan Creek Regional Trail - Engagement Report City staff from the Parks and Recreation Department and consultants will host the virtual meeting to provide residents an opportunity to review the proposed trail alignment and provide feedback on the future regional trail. Proposed Master plan reveal YOUROpinionMatters MASTER PLAN For details on how to participate and register for the virtual community meeting, visit www.cityofdenton.com/virtualcommunitymeeting. Join us on Zoom Tuesday, August 30 at 6 p.m. 8/8/2022 • ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com Staff Assessment & Public Engagement Photos