Title
Resolution to Complete the Central Section of the Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail Between Fuller and Riverside Parks
Body
Whereas, The completion of a trail system along the Huron River valley through the string of city parks from Gallup to Barton has been master planned in the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Open Space (PROS) plans for decades, and the Ann Arbor river trail is now a major section of the Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail through Washtenaw County, which connects to the state-wide Iron Belle Trail, which also connects to the nation-wide North Country National Scenic Trail;
Whereas, Three trail gaps still exist, including the central section gap that requires trail users to cross one of the busiest intersections within the city at Fuller and Maiden Lane;
Whereas, The Fuller and Maiden Lane intersection is also a vital link between north and south campuses and the volume of pedestrians and bikers crossing this intersection is among the highest within the city;
Whereas, The intersection is a vital link to the hospital and vehicle traffic volume is also among the highest in the city and projected to grow necessitating improved options for safe non-motorized travel in the area;
Whereas, Non-motorized travel improvements at this intersection would maximize the benefits across three separate demographic groups: students, hospital staff and recreational users;
Whereas, The city has been studying ways to improve this intersection for over a decade;
Whereas, Facilitating non-motorized travel supports the city goals of reducing the city carbon footprint, increasing sustainability, improving non-motorized transportation, including bicycling, walking, and wheel chair travel;
Whereas, An attractive and well-designed greenway trail along the Huron is a major recreational park amenity accessible to many users of all ages and abilities;
Whereas, Of the three incomplete sections of the B2B Trail in Ann Arbor, the congested central se...
Click here for full text