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Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br />Building Highly Valued Trail System <br />Four guiding principles provide the foundation for developing a highly - valued trail /pedestrian -way system, including: <br />Principle #1 : Incrementally fill in gaps and otherwise improve the pedestrian -level public infrastructure to enhance <br />safety and encourage the use of alternative forms of transportation within neighborhoods and along routes to school. <br />Principle #2: Focus on interconnections between local and regional trails as the trail system continues to expand. <br />Principle #3: Improving the overall quality of experience trail users have. <br />Principle #4: Allow for four - season use of trails where feasible. <br />Trail Classifications <br />The trail system plan consists of a variety of trails <br />and pedestrian- ways /sidewalks defined under various <br />classifications. Each classification helps translate the <br />aforementioned personal values and principles into an <br />implementable form, with each serving a particular <br />purpose in meeting local needs. The distinction between <br />classifications is important due to the variability in their <br />value, which in turn greatly affects the importance <br />of the system to residents and the degree to which <br />the various trails, sidewalks, and bikeways will be <br />used. The classifications applied to Elk River should be <br />consistent with the MN DNR's Trail Planning, Design, <br />and Development Guidelines (2007), albeit modified to <br />accommodate some local nuances. <br />108 / Chapter 10: Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space <br />