Aaron Hanson Thesis Book.pdf - NDSU - North Dakota State ...

theoretical premise researchAnother recreational opportunity for waterfronts is a water trail. A watertrail is “a stretch of river, shoreline, or ocean that has been designated toprovide educational, scenic, and challenging nature-based experiences torecreational boaters” (Otto et al., 2004, p. 91). Water trails are valuablefor a healthy economy and can protect vital natural areas while providinga close experience with nature. People can become inspired by watertrails, and they are a good opportunity for educational and classroomdevelopment.When incorporating recreational uses to riverfronts, designers shouldcombine river trails and greenways that provide riverfront enhancementsand infrastructure. According to Smith and Hellmund (1993), properlydesigned greenways and river trails can protect floodplains and providewildlife migration corridors between otherwise isolated “patches” of nativehabitat (as cited in Otto et al., 2004). They can also provide buffer zonesfor filtering stormwater and provide alternative transportation. Promotingalternative transportation can limit carbon emissions by connectingriverfront paths with businesses and homes. For example, a 60 milegreenways system in Boulder, Colorado, links neighborhoods to schools,jobs, and shopping. Even though only 12% of Boulder’s populationcommutes by bike, it is about 12 times the national average (Otto et al.,2004).Greenways usually include riverfront parks. These areas are importantbecause if properly designed, they can minimize or mitigate stormwatereffects on the natural environment. It is critical to build greenways to workwith sensitive areas like wetlands, meadows, or eroded banks so users don’thave a negative impact on them (Otto et al., 2004). A greenway can alsoincorporate pedestrian bridges that allow for movement around privatelyowned land while permitting an intimate and closer connection to thewater. A successful riverway trail system may increase public support forriver protection, tributary restoration, and trails while encouraging a socialconnection between communities (Otto et al., 2004).ThoughtsIt is evident that the Mississippi River corridor in St. Cloud has public landthat I will have to strategize a greenway system around. Further analysismust determine locations where trail systems can be connected. The use ofpedestrian bridges and infrastructure may be an essential part in developinga strong connection throughout the river corridor and in promotingrecreational activity.29