ABQ Trail Connect

ABQ TRAIL CONNECT

A NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED INITIATIVE CONNECTING COMMUNITIES TO TRAILS

Produced by Talal Saint-Lôt CRP 503 – Community-based Planning and Practice Professor Claudia Issac December 2011

Introduction

The City of Albuquerque has been working to encourage walking and cycling by enhancing the coverage and quality of its walkway and bikeway network through a combination of on- and off-street projects throughout the city. The Albuquerque Bikeways and Trails Master Plan Update initiative was launched in early 2010 to update the decade old existing plan. The planning document will serve as a guide in coming years and seeks to design a multi-use trail system that considers the needs of equestrians, pedestrians, and cyclists. Design guidelines outlined in the document address existing deficiencies voiced by survey participants such as good access to the path, path maintenance, path safety, and path amenities. Today, the majority of path users are cyclists with the highest counts occurring in the University of New Mexico area. While the plan concentrates particularly on the needs of bicyclists, walkers and joggers were reported the second most prevalent users of the multi-use trails. This proposal takes the City’s initiative one step further, calling for the City to commence efforts towards linking bordering neighborhoods to multi-use trails where no formal connectors currently exist. Analysis of current patterns in neighborhood connectivity to multi-use trails reveal tremendous disparities in access to multi-use trails among neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic status along particular sections of the pathway system. In response, the vision and purpose of this project is to diminish, and eventually eliminate, disparities in neighborhood access to Albuquerque’s multi-use trail system. The project aims to achieve this goal by seeking to accomplish four primary objectives: 1) Encourage the use of multi-use trails through educational programming targeting all communities including minority and low-income neighborhoods; 2) Establish an inviting and accessible connecting path to residential areas near multi-use trails that do not currently possess such connectors; 3) Enhance and increase amenities along the multi-use trail; and 4) Improve safety for bikers, walkers, and runners.

A Collaborative Effort Including:

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The Problem – A Mini-Needs Analysis

Unequal access to multi-use trails among low-income, low-education, and minority communities is a problem in of itself, but it is not the only problem this project is seeking to address. Several studies find that living in areas that lack recreational facilities and walkability is a risk factor for obesity. Though it is difficult to gauge how much disparities in access to activity-friendly environments might explain existing health disparities among race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, research provides substantial evidence that access to parks and other recreational facilities is lower in low-income, low-education, and minority communities. Thus, the problem is compounded as unequal access to activity-friendly environments contributes to widening health disparities among the same groups; reinforcing the preexisting social inequities that continue to plague society. Bosque Trail/Bridge Crossing

Montgomery/Carlisle

Figure 1: Green represents residential parcels and the multi-use trail is in red. Areas without connections to the multi-use trail are circled.

Missing Links Albuquerque is home to nearly 400 miles of multi-use/bike trails that continues to expand and link key destinations throughout the city. The 2010 Project Priority List enumerated 487 projects of which 90 were designated for the multi-use trail, which is projected to surpass 250 miles of coverage by 2030. The Paseo del Bosque and North Diversion Channel Trails combine to form a 24-mile multi-use loop, connecting UNM to Paseo del Norte to Tingley Beach. Despite the existing connectivity, there still remains significant transit gaps between residential neighborhoods that lie opposite of the drainage canal in certain stretches of the multi-use trail. Residents of nearby neighborhood are forced to use unmarked dirt paths to reach the trail. Examples include: Montgomery/Carlisle, Candelaria/North Diversion Trail, and Barelas Neighborhood/Bridge Boulevard crossing (Figure 1).

Dirt Path @ Montgomery/Carlisle

Dirt Path @ Bosque Trail/Bridge Crossing CRP 503 – Community-based Planning

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Rising Obesity Rates Currently, the City of Albuquerque’s Health Department does not have any programming directly addressing the fact that New Mexico and Bernalillo County report increasing rates of obesity among adults and youth. The 2011 New Mexico State of Health report advocates for a comprehensive effort to reverse the obesity and overweight rates in the state. The same report reveals that morbid obesity rates in New Mexico have doubled over the last decade and that the rise in obesity could possibly contribute to the rise in diabetes prevalence and arthritis hospitalization rates. Obesity in adolescents is associated with diseases like hypertension and type 2 diabetes, negative psychological and social effects, and an increased risk in adult obesity. Easy access to unhealthy food and lack of physical activity are the primary contributors to rising youth obesity rates; while lack of activity plays a leading role in climbing obesity rates of adults. The 2009 New Mexico Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that among high school students: Obesity • 13% were obese • Boys were more than two times as likely to be obese than girls Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors • 79% ate fruits and vegetables less than five times per day during the 7 days before the survey • 73% ate fruit or drank 100% fruit juices less than two times per day during the 7 days before the survey. • 83% ate vegetables less than three times per day during the 7 days before the survey • 30% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop at least once during the 7 days before the survey Physical Inactivity • 16% did not engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the 7 days before the survey • 77% were physically active at least 60 minutes per day on less than 7 days before the survey • 50% did not attend physical education (PE) classes in an average week when they were in school • 70% did not attend PE classes daily when they were in school • 33% watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day • 21% used computers 3 or more hours per day on an average school day

Research indicates that residents who have better access to recreational facilities are more likely to be physically active and less likely to be obese. Social Inequity Substantial research has shown that access to parks and other recreational facilities is generally lower in low-income, low-education, and minority communities. Unequal access to the multi-use trail prevents several adjoining neighborhoods along the trail from having direct, paved access to the multi-use trail system while allowing direct access for higher income, newly established neighborhoods. The majority of disconnected residential areas are lower income neighborhoods, apartments, condominiums, or mobile home parks.

Condominiums @ Carlisle/Montgomery

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Apartments @ Carlisle/Montgomery

December 2011

The Project

ABQ Trail Connect aims to create city-wide neighborhood based initiative that inserts community participatory processes in an overall effort to link neighborhoods to the existing multi-use/bike trail system. Anticipated participants include neighborhood associations, apartment resident groups, condominium homeowner associations, and mobile home owner associations. Since this is a neighborhood-based initiative, a component of the project will be focused on building community capacity within community leaders to educate their communities about the effects of physical activity on health and the potential benefits of biking, jogging, and walking. The City’s two relevant committees, the Greater Albuquerque Bicycling Advisory Committee (GABAC) and Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trail Advisory Committee (GARTAC), will administer the application and funding processes. Upon extended programming and depending on the number of applications the City can choose to create a separate entity to oversee the application and funding process. Bike ABQ, a local bicycling advocacy non-profit, will oversee the implementation phase and will manage the community planning and engagement aspect of the project. The City must first conduct a thorough needs assessment that will assist in identifying target areas where there are opportunities to link neighborhoods to the existing multi-use trail. Once neighborhoods and representative organizations have been identified, Bike ABQ will reach out to the community leaders and assist them with the application and planning process. In areas where no representative organizations can be identified, the City may choose to forgo the community planning process and applications can be completed by Bike ABQ on the neighborhoods behalf. Applicants will be judged based on criteria agreed upon by the applications board; however, special consideration will apply to neighborhoods where the majority of the residents are low-income, loweducation, and/or minorities. Once accepted, that particular neighborhood will be put on the priority list for consideration by GABAC and GARTAC during the upcoming capital improvement cycle. The community planning process, guided by Bike ABQ, enables community leaders to engage residents in planning where construction of paths, renovation, signage, and amenities should be placed. The plans will be submitted along with budgets to the GABAC or GARTAC. Depending on the estimated project cost, amount of city resources required to see the project to completion, and projected impact on the local community the project can be expedited. Goals Three overall measurable goals will guide the success of the pilot project: 1) Successfully engage and “link” three neighborhoods 2) Increase walker/jogger usage on bike/multi-use trails by residents who live nearby 3) Create aesthetically pleasing multi-use trails and trailheads that attracts users Objectives The project sets three primary objectives that will guide its programming in order to achieve its goals. Educate Residents Currently, the City of Albuquerque works with local non-profit partners to provide educational workshops covering topics such as trail etiquette to bicycling mechanics. Since 1996, the City has hosted over 15,000 bike rodeos for elementary school students, targeting 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders. Community leaders will work with partners to establish neighborhood specific educational programming that will be offered at local schools, community centers, and churches. Also, a series of interactive workshops

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encouraging trail use and educating residents on trial safety and etiquette can be offered at the local community center, park, or newly established trailhead of the neighborhood. A Family Bicycling and Trail Use program, like the one in San Francisco, can help parents figure out how to safely transport children by bicycle and help children learn bicycle skills. The primary purpose of the educational initiative is to make residents aware of newly established connecting paths and to encourage residents to use them. In addition, the Safe Routes to School program currently serves three schools in Albuquerque based on a “5 E’s” approach using Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, and Evaluation strategies to improve safety and encourage children walking and biking to school. Walking and bicycling education and encouragement programs at these schools include the distribution of suggested route to school maps, International Walk and Bike to School Day, Walk & Roll Day incentive programs, bike rodeos, safety tips in newsletters, and walking school buses. The programs are usually run by a coalition of city government, school and school district officials and teachers, parents and students, and neighbors.

Safe Routes to School Program encourages safe & courteous use of trails

Bike to Park programs can help improve community health, decrease vehicle congestion and parking demand at parks, and encourage their use.

Increase Sense of Safety Educational initiatives will create more aware and responsive trail users, but physical modifications or additions to the existing multi-use trail will allow for an increased sense of safety and broaden the hours of usage. Illuminating especially dark areas of the path in places like underpasses or wall-lined sections will deter vagrants and loiterers and allow for better biker/pedestrian visibility. Sections of the path near neighborhoods or where high walker/jogger counts are recorded should incorporate signage warning speeding bicyclists to be extra aware of pedestrians so that pedestrians feel safer walking on the path. Improve Access Improving the number and quality of paths that link neighborhoods will be the first step towards engaging neighborhoods to take advantage of the growing metropolitan multi-use trail system. Locating trailheads near parks will entice park users to also become trail users. In a few areas, improving access is as simple as including signage and path markers; though, in other places creating a linking path can involve extensive planning and inter-cooperation of various municipal authorities. Further, trail maintenance usually decides if bikes can access the path or not. In areas that are not well maintained, trash and dust will accumulate, not only creating an eyesore but also a physical barrier.

CRP 503 – Community-based Planning

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Major Stakeholders Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee The GARTC acts as an advising arm for several city authorities on issues concerning plans, programs, and standards for recreational trails. Its mandate also calls for the committee to work with organized and non-organized constituent groups to make recommendations that will meet the needs of all recreational trail users. In addition, the committee is responsible for recommending appropriate levels of trail maintenance and is also charged with helping constituent groups establish volunteer maintenance programs as appropriate. The GARTC will play a leading role in assisting communities in getting their trail-linking projects in the City’s capital improvement pipeline as high priority projects. Greater Albuquerque Bicycle Advisory Committee The GABAC plays an important role in overseeing and providing valuable input on issues that relate to all aspects of Bicycling in Albuquerque. The committee’s activities involve a wide range of topics including; Policy Review, Project funding, Street Improvement Projects, Bicycle Programs, Private Development Project Review, Enforcement issues, Emergency Response, Encouragement, and Education. Further, the GABAC is responsible for advising governmental entities including the Transportation improvement Program and Capital Improvements Program. Therefore, GABAC will also play a leading role in ensuring that community trail-linking projects are inserted into the City’s capital improvement program. Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) Several neighborhoods have informal dirt trails that run along storm water ditches leading to City’s the multi-use trail. In many cases, the land that the dirt trails are on is owned by AMAFCA. AMAFCA and was established more than four decades ago to maintain flood control structures throughout Albuquerque and today owns and maintains 69 miles of channels. In total, AMAFCA controls about 4,000 acres of land which it has customarily made available for joint use such as bike trials, recreational fields, equestrian areas, open space and other uses. Bike ABQ As local non-profit and bicycle advocacy group, this organization’s mission is to increase the number of bicyclists in Albuquerque for transportation, health, and recreation. The organization provides education, advocates for cyclists rights, and works to create and preserve safe biking environments. Bike ABQ’s participation is vital to the success of this project. Resident Representative Organizations Organized and non-organized constituent groups that represent a neighborhood or community are considered resident representatives for the purpose of this project. The project teams ability to work with and engage non-organized groups will be crucial when reaching out to communities that comprise of apartment complexes and/or condominiums. Since a major focus of this project is to help reduce inequalities in access to the multi-use trail, it should be expected that exceptional efforts will need to be made in engaging resident representative organizations.

CRP 503 – Community-based Planning

ABQ TRAIL CONNECT ONLINE

December 2011

Moving Forward

This proposal sets the framework for the ABQ Trail Connect program that aims to create a win-win situation by building upon existing city infrastructure and leveraging community/municipal resources to create healthier and happier communities. As the multi-use/bike trail system in Albuquerque continues to grow and attract more users, it is conceivable that in the far future this system will become the primary means transportation for residents to localized services. By shifting the multi-trail’s function from serving primarily bicyclists to serving a wide range of users including walkers, joggers and shoppers, the City of Albuquerque will not only be serving a wider population, but it will also be providing a lowcost service that has extensive economic, health, and social benefits.

References 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.health.gov/PAguidelines/pdf/paguide. Accessed September 27, 2010. Albuquerque Bikeways and Trails Master Plan. City of Albuquerque. Gannett Fleming West, Inc. May 2011. Albuquerque Bikeways and Trails, Preliminary Project Priority List. City of Albuquerque bikeways and Trials Master Plan Update. December 2010. Albuquerque Biekways and Trails Master Plan Design Guidelines. City of Albuquerque. Gannet Fleming West, Inc. December 2010. City of Albuquerque Biking Website – www.cabq.gov/bike Sallis, James F. Karen Glanz. Physical Activity and Food Environments: Solutions to the Obesity Epidemic. The Milbank Quarterly, Vol. 87, No. 1. 2009. Pp. 123-154 The State of Health in New Mexico 2011. New Mexico Department of Health. 2011. The Obesity Epidemic and New Mexico Students. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Division of Adolescent and School Health. www.cdc.gov/healthyouth Trends in the Prevalence of Physical Activity 2001-2009. Youth Risk Behavior Survey. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Working Paper #5: Existing and Recommended bicycle Education and Outreach Programs. City of Albuquerque. Gannet Fleming West, Inc. December 2010.

CRP 503 – Community-based Planning

ABQ TRAIL CONNECT ONLINE

December 2011