The City of Lancaster will host the first Community Workshop for the Master Plan for Trails and Bikeways on Thursday, September 30, 2010. Residents of Antelope Valley, and all interested parties are encouraged to participate in this exciting and important planning process.
Highlights of the meeting include: a hands-on workshop which will allow attendees to draw on maps and provide input on areas of concern; presentation of the objectives and purpose of the Master Plan and solicitation of attendee input on needs; concerns, important issues and locations that need improvement; a slide show covering the elements of the plan and existing conditions in Lancaster, as well as what other cities are doing to encourage bicycling, walking, running, skating, horseback riding, or other non-motorized modes of transportation.
“These trails are not only a step toward a more fit, active and environmentally conscious community,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris. “They also enhance our sense of community by providing a way to see Lancaster and our citizens up close and in person, rather than from the isolated perspective seen when strapped inside a vehicle.”
The Master Plan was developed in response to citizen input received during extensive community outreach conducted during the process of creating the present General Plan and the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Comprehensive Plan. It is funded by a $240,000 grant awarded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for healthy living initiatives.
This grant has enabled the City to hire Ryan Snyder and Associates, LLC in association with Hogle-Ireland, Inc. and the Walkable & Livable Communities Institute to help prepare the Master Plan for Trails and Bikeways. Ryan Snyder has been a pioneer and advanced the field of pedestrian and bicycle planning. He is a Federal Highway Administration pedestrian design instructor, as well as a National Safe Routes to School and California Walkability Expert. Some of his most notable projects include the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Non-Motorized Transportation Plan Update, City of Long Beach Bicycle Master Plan, City of Yorba Linda Trails Master Plan and County of Riverside Design Guidelines for New Development.
The team also includes Hogle-Ireland, Inc. which brings in-depth knowledge of smart growth principles and sustainability concepts which will result in a planning document that provides for an attractive, livable and unique image for the community that will be used for years to come as Lancaster continues to develop and grow.
In addition, Dan Burden of the Walkable & Livable Communities Institute has joined the team. Burden, an internationally recognized authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, livability, sustainability and Smart Growth, addresses issues such as street design, bicycling, greenways, traffic calming, living streets, and public safety.
“We are excited to have assembled a team that brings with them years of experience in community planning for all types of trail systems including bicycling, pedestrian, equestrian, skating, multi-use pathways and spaces to meet our residents’ recreation and transportation needs,” said Mayor Parris. “There are even Americans with Disabilities Act and Safe Routes to School components to ensure safety and encourage active living in Lancaster.”
The workshop will meet at Lancaster City Hall, 44933 N. Fern Ave in the EOC room from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. For more information, please contact Elma Watson at (661)723-6100.
SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE 9/16/2010
