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Regional Trails Plan

OVERVIEW

The population boom in Southern Nevada began in the 1800’s with settlers who arrived in the region by trail. The importance of trails in our community is re-emerging as our region has grown from an area containing modest settlements to an area that has several regional urban areas. As a successful economy, the area will continue to grow and face the problems of mobility and continued pressure on recreational facilities, both of which can be addressed to a significant extent with trails.

GOAL

The goal of this cooperative planning effort is to recognize and support the continued development of an interconnected regional trail system which provides an alternative mode of transportation.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Las Vegas Valley Primary Trail System Map should be consulted by each jurisdiction as they develop primary, secondary and other trails plans to minimize the chance of individual trail planning efforts straying from the concept of an interconnected regional system. Additionally, the Las Vegas Valley Primary Trail System Map should be consulted as part of any related transportation study. The Las Vegas Valley Primary Trail System Map will most likely require amendments as it is not the purpose of this map to set an intractable plan in place, but to strive for the development of an interconnected regional trail system.

 

BENEFITS OF A REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM

Safe Alternative Transportation: Our communities want a trail system that will safely connect homes to places where our people work, learn, shop and play. This commuter system or alternative transportation mode system is necessary to reduce our dependence on vehicles and reduce vehicle emissions; a major component of air pollution. Safe alternative modes are also vital to our children and the segments of our population who have limited financial resources and rely on walking, bicycling and public transportation.

Linkages: People want a trail system that will provide access to community features; linkages to our parks, libraries, schools, and other similar public spaces. Convenient, non-motorized, access to community features allows our citizens relief from the pressures of living in a fast-moving successful urban environment.

Open Space Access: Our citizens have indicated that they want a regional system which preserves historic trails and rights-of-way which allows them deeper access into our less traveled areas. The trail system will be used to create links to open-space features on public lands including our deserts, mountains, foothills, as well as our lakes and riparian areas. Well-planned trails provide opportunities to responsibly use and enjoy our more pristine and scenic areas while preserving our more ecologically sensitive natural areas.

Neighborhood Preservation: The creation of trails throughout the numerous rural neighborhoods in the metropolitan area can act to maintain the integrity of those neighborhoods and help preserve the established lifestyle.

Funding: Southern Nevada needs a method for financing the construction and maintenance of this trail system. Although that will not be the focus of this planning effort, our individual jurisdictions will work cooperatively to meet this challenge. This plan represents a step in that direction. It should be used as a guide to seek and allocate funding for the design and construction of projects within the plan area. Current and future Regional Transportation Plans and Transportation Implementation Plans should include project funds that will make the coincident routes a reality. Appropriate rights-of-way along flood control channels should also be acquired as part of facility construction. Public Land Management Act funds are designated for the acquisition of lands that will enhance and preserve the local environment; to that end they may also be used to develop our open space/trail network. In addition, various other state, federal and private grants can be sought to help develop the trail system.

PRINCIPAL CRITERIA FOR TRAIL ALIGNMENT SELECTION

To the extent possible, it is our recommendation that we use public rights-of-way in the development of a regional trail system. The criteria used for route selection was threefold:

  • First, consistency with existing adopted and proposed local plans was sought. All of the affected jurisdictions have initiated trail-planning efforts. These served as the base layer.
  • Second, additional routes were selected based on the potential to form a connected alternative mode transportation/trails network. These routes will create safe connections from new and existing neighborhoods to major commuter destinations as well as schools, parks and other public facilities.
  • The third major selection criterion was the route’s ability to create a connection to Federal Lands.

Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition Primary Trails System Map
PDF File at 1.95 MB

For information regarding this Plan, including obtaining a copy of the Las Vegas Valley Primary Trail System Map, please contact the Coalition Secretary by calling 455-5192 or e-mailing to pxb@co.clark.nv.us.