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PROPOSED TRAIL SYSTEM IIP PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE TRAILS The Elk River Master Park and Recreation Plan proposes an extensive system of trails serving all areas of the City and accommodating a wide variety of activities. The Community Survey indicated very strong support for a trail system and particularly a system developed for both pedestrian and bicycle use. The proposed trail system is essentially a networking of paths to connect the major parks and open spaces. By forming the connections between parks, trail loops are developed that offer a wide variety of experiences and distances,thereby accommodating differing user needs. The connections are very important to the city's park system because they provide convenient access to various park sites without having to drive to each destination and at the same time providing an enjoyable recreation activity. The proposed trail system will also provide safe pedestrian movements to non-park destinations. Most trails are proposed to serve both the pedestrian and the bicyclist, however, in heavy use areas, separate trails could be provided. Detached trails in their own right-of- way/corridor not associated with roadways, are preferred. The Plan recommends that trails be designed to the standards illustrated in the following sections as well as those standards described in the Appendix titled"Guide for Development of New Bicycle Facilities". Due to funding problems, it is anticipated that in the rural areas, at least temporarily, widened shoulders will need to serve as trails. These widened shoulders will need to be minimum of six (6) feet and preferably twelve (12) feet wide. It is recommended that a plan for funding development and maintenance of trails is prepared and implemented. Special consideration must be given to tying into regional trail systems such as the Mississippi River Trail. IIP 101