Related Pages:
Resources and Library:
FUNDING TRAILS
Hosted by AmericanTrails.org
Trail Count 2011 shows an ongoing rise in use of San Jose, California trail system. A majority of trail users report that trails feel safe, secure, and well maintained.
From the Winter 2011 issue of American Trails Magazine
Download San Jose Trail Count 2011 (pdf 825 kb)
2011 San Jose trail count shows trail use continues to rise
From San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services
San Jose’s trail network is the foundation for its Green Vision
San Jose has conducted its 5th annual Trail Count for 2011. The count and survey of trail users was initiated in 2007 to show the Administration that special event closures in the downtown area had a big impact on usage and enjoyment of the City’s trails.
Since that first count, San Jose has initiated a trail closure policy that preserves access to the greatest extent possible and has increased awareness about the value of trails for both recreation and commuting. The regularly counting process also documents that trail usage has increased year after year – which helps to reinforce that trail development is a good investment.
This year’s count documents a 5.7% in increase in trail use along the Guadalupe River Trail at a station that has been in use since the first year. Trail Count has also made San Jose more competitive for grant funding, helped improve the planning of future trails, and has supported inclusion of trails in the City’s General Plan update as a transportation element.
San Jose’s trail network is the foundation for its Green Vision
The survey reveals that over 50% of trail users are commuting to and from Silicon Valley industry. Most responders say that longer trails and gap closures could attract more visitors to the trails.
A majority of trail users report that trails feel safe, secure, and well maintained.
Primary data collection objectives of the count and survey were to:
1. Ascertain daily usage volume.
2. Determine trail user needs, demographics, and perceptions.
3. Confirm that trails support both recreational and commute uses.
4. Determine the share of daily commuters.
Trail Count is conducted annually with the support of community and corporate volunteers, City staff,
and the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, and Five Wounds Trail Neighborhood/Communiversity.
The count of trail users was done on Wednesdays, September 14 and 28, 2011. Counts at six stations occurred along three trail systems and a future trail alignment. Four stations were staffed for 12 hours (7:00 am to 7:00 pm) and the remaining stations during peak travel periods (7:00 to 9:00 am, and 4:00 to 7:00 pm).
Trail advocates in other communities can find many tips and detailed guidance in the previous summary reports posted at http://www.sjparks.org/Trails/TrailCount.asp. For more information a copy of on the San Jose Trail Network visit www.sjparks.org/trails/ or call Yves Zsutty at 793-5561.
Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Cool
trail solutions
Trailbuilding
Wildlife
and trails
Planning
Maintenance
Volunteers
Products
& services
Need
trail skills and education? Do you
provide training? Join the National
Trails Training Partnership!
The NTTP Online
Calendar connects you with courses,
conferences, and trail-related training
Enjoy and share the new online, digital version of the American Trails Magazine!
Help us provide you more useful resources to keep you on the cutting-edge -- please join today!
We are advocating for your interests! Visit the Supporting Trails page to view the latest in legislative news, current issues, and opportunities, and to learn how to access funding.
Sign up for American Trails Action Alerts and Trail Tracks e-Newsletters.
Some
of our documents are in PDF format
and require free Adobe Acrobat
Reader software.
Download
Acrobat Reader
American
Trails and NTTP support accessibility
with Section 508: read
more.
