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#3 Hiking Trail in Riverside Park LEISURE SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM ~ TO: Steve Sheiffer, City Manager FROM: Mike Williams, Leisure Services Director "^'- SUBJECT: Approval of a Proposal from the Wisconsin Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation to Build a Hiking Trail in Riverside Park DATE: June 4, 2007 Introduction The Leisure Services Administration is requesting the City Council review and approve a project proposal for a volunteer group to build an extension of the Wisconsin Ice Age Trail through a section of Riverside Park known as Davit's Staircase. City Council review and approval of this project is being requested because the Administration plans to make an exception to existing City Ordinances. Furthermore, Administrative Policy #7. Construction Projects, states that projects of this nature will be presented to the City Council. Praise! Proposal The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (IAPTF) will organize a group of volunteers to construct a 1.0 mile hiking trail from the north end of Riverside Park, along Devil's Staircase and terminate at N. Washington Street or County Highway E (see attached map). The IAPTF will request a Mobile Skills Crew who has experience building trails in National Parks. They plan to have approximately 150 volunteers build the trail with support from the Rock County Chapter of the IAPTF, the Rock Trail Coalition and the Friends of Riverside Park. At N. Washington Street there will be a designated street crossing allowing hikers to cross the street at a specific location, enter the Arbor Ridge Subdivision and then continue west to the Janesville Arboretum. As a part of the Arbor Ridge development, the Engineering Division has designed and will be modifying this section of N. Washington Street in the fall of 2007 (see attached map). Northridge Drive is a new street being extended from Arbor Ridge Subdivision to create a new intersection with N. Washington Street. The alignment of N. Washington Street will be modified to provide improved visibility and a safer approach to the railroad abutment. The speed Trail Specifications The hiking trail will follow the natural terrain of Devil's Staircase and will have a native soil base with no surface treatment such as gravel or bark. The volunteers will build a 3. wide trail which will involve clearing vegetation, moving soil, building small retaining walls and possibly some safety railings. The new trail will generally follow the existing hiking paths in Devil's Staircase. The trail surface and width will only accommodate hikers. Bicyclists using the Kiwanis Trail/lee Age Trail will be directed to follow the street network from the south end of Riverside Park, along Edge Hill Drive to N. Washington Street and then north to the Arbor Ridge subdivision entrance. Timetable The IAPTF plans to build the hiking trail from Thursday, July 19 to Sunday, July 22, 2007. Fundinq The estimated cost to construct the trail is $15,000. The IAPTF plans to use some of their funding and apply for a grant from the National Park Service. They also plan to seek local donations. No City funds will be required for this project. Liability All volunteers will execute registration forms with the IAPTF and sign liability waiver statements to protect all of the agencies involved. Committee Review This project proposal has been reviewed by the Leisure Services Advisory Committee, the Golf Course Advisory Committee and Crown Golf, the golf course lessee. Because of the steep terrain on the north end of Devil's Staircase, it will be necessary for a short section of the trail to cross the edge of Riverside Golf Course. The trail will circle around the rear of #3 green, cross the railroad tracks at the same location that golfers do and proceed to the rear of #4 tee (see attached map). It will be necessary to install special signage in this area so hikers understand that golfers have the right-of-way. The two committees and the golf course lessee have reviewed this project and have endorsed its construction. Exceptions to City Ordinances The IAPTF is requesting an exception to two City Ordinances. Because volunteers will be coming to Janesville from allover the country, the IAPTF would like permission for camping to take place in the north end of Riverside Park. Campers will use tents only and will be on site for three nights, the planned duration of the project. City Ordinance 12.60.220 Camping Prohibited - Exceptions states "No person shall use any park or other public grounds as a camping grounds except when written permission has been previously granted by the Superintendent of Parks." We have granted permission in the past for camping in our parks for groups such as the Boy Scouts and the National Guard. City Ordinance 12.60.160 A. Parks Hours states "No person or vehicle shall be allowed on park premises between the hours of 11 :00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., except those persons using the through streets in such parks, or by special permission granted in writing by the Superintendent of Parks for specific use thereof." We have granted permission in the past for park hour extensions related to community special events in the parks. Because the tent campers will 2 be in Riverside Park after 11 :00 pm, the Leisure Services Administration intends to approve both of these requests in accordance with the City Ordinances. Summary The Leisure Services Administration believes this is a beneficial project because it enhances the Janesville trail system, it provides a wonderful partnership of National, State and local organizations and it is being accomplished with volunteers and donations thus not requiring any financial support from the City. It is in the best interest of the City of Janesville to approve and support this improvement to our park system. We respectfully request the City Council support and endorse this community project. A motion to accept the donated trail and waive the Camping and Park Hours Ordinances would be in order. cc: Herb Stinski, Director of Administrative Services/Assistant City Manager Jack Messer, Public Works Director Tom Presny, Park Director 3 " .' ---- -~~ ~ '- '" ,\ .' - ,f, \~} "~.j! 1Jf,< "k~ " '.' '.. " .f ... - - '- , "'l .~ ) "'~, " '.... .. iI>, '.\~, ~"_\~'~' -'~, .-. .;t . _ct._, ill'- -. <:~:;~'~7ri~~ ,',,\t:s L._...",. """ , , . -.'.'-'.' , ~..,:> ,,~ . 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