DELTA TRAILS DELTA TRAILS - Delta Township

DELTA TRAILS 

Delta Township 

East-West Connector 

July 19, 2010

Canal Rd. to Sharp Park

Area 1

Area 2

Area 3

Area 4

Area 5

Looking East at Canal Road near 

apartments 

p

Looking East from Service Drive 

from Runaway y Bay y Apartments 

p

Looking West from Service Drive 

from Runaway Runaway y Bay y Apartments 

p

Looking West at 66’ right-of-way 

from Eastbury y 

Drive

Work access drive along 66’ rightof-way 

y near Eastbury y 

Drive

Looking East from Eastbury Drive 

at 66’ right-of-way 

right-of-way 

g y

Access road to Carrier Creek near 

East-West Collector near Eastbury 

Drive

Looking East from Carrier Creek

East-West Connector Benefits 

B Benefits fit 

�� Significant route in Delta Township where 

pedestrians d t i are completely l t l separated t d f from 

vehicles in Northeast Quadrant. 

�� Provides a valuable link for pedestrians to 

connect to shopping shopping, schools schools, parks 

neighborhoods and future library.


Connection of of neighborhoods 

neighborhoods 

Canal Road to Creyts y Road - Connect (6) ( ) 

Neighborhoods & 

Office Park 

�� Delta Commerce Park 

�� Earlington Estates 

�� Robbins Acres 

�� Willow Cove 

�� Willow Creek 

�� Condo’s Condo s Willow Woods 

Potential Connection to: 

�� Delta Mills Park (North)


Connection of of neighborhoods neighborhoods – Currently Under 

Construction 

Creyts Road to Elmwood Road - Connect (4) 

Neighborhoods 

� Oak Ridge 

Ridge 

�� Worthmore Block �� Mall Park 

�� Willowbrook Estates 

Direct Connection to: 

�� Sharp Park 

�� Lansing Mall (Commercial District) 

�� Elmwood Elementary School 

�� Great Lakes Christian College


C Connection ti of f neighborhoods 

i hb h d 

Elmwood Road to Willow Highway g y - Connect (5) ( ) 

Neighborhoods 

�� Grandwood Supervisors 

�� Canton Hills 

�� Sherwood Downs 

�� Bretton Woods 

�� Plum Hollow 


�� Movie Theaters 

�� Future Library – Elmwood Road Property


C Connection ti of f neighborhoods 

i hb h d 

Willow Highway Highway to Waverly Waverly Road - C Connect ( (5) ) 

Neighborhoods 

�� Irvingdale Acres + Others 


�� St. Gerard’s School 

�� P Potential t ti l C Connection ti t to G Grand d W Woods d P Park k (N (North) 

th)

City of Portland- Trail System 

Home Owners 

built their own 

connection ti to t 

trail


City provides an 

electric golf cart 

to elderly or 

handicap to ride 

along trail 

Overlook & Trail 

adjacent to 

Residential 

Area


Trail next to 

Condominium 

Complex

Cit City of f Portland- P tl d T Trail il System S t 

Trail within a 20’ 20 wide easement adjacent to 

residential property, gate access to trail as 

requested by homeowners.

Portland Portland, MI MI - Mary Scheurer, Scheurer 

Parks Director 

– 8.0 miles Do not keep statistics on trails. 

Police Dept. indicated no problems. 

V Vandalism d li 2 2 picnic i i tables t bl were painted i t d in i 10 

10 

years (1994 started trail). No problems with 

adjacent property owners. Lights on ¾ mile 

d downtown otherwise h i dawn d to dusk. d k 

Volunteer patrol started and then stopped 

and new police chief wants to start again. 

Don’t ’ plow l in winter (snow ( mobiles). bl ) Sweep, S 

pick up trash and mow 1 x per week. Wants 

to connect Grand Ledge to Ionia.

Cit City of f L Lansing i Ri Rivertrail t il 

Trail between 

Grand River and 

Residential Area

• Type of Activity 

Lansing Rivertrail 

– 42% walk, 33% bike, 16% jog, 5% rollerblade 

• Levels of Activity 

– 25,000 people visited the trail in October 1996 

– 800 people used the trail each day that month 

• Trail Trail a use by time t e of o Day ay 

– 7:30-11:30 AM weekday 10/hr weekend 18/hr 

– 11:30-3:30 PM weekday 14/hr weekend 15/hr 

– 3:30-7:30 3:30 7:30 PM weekday weekday 18/hr weekend 27/hr 

**MSU study 1993-1996

Lansing, MI MI - Murdock Murdock Jemerson, 

Jemerson, 

Director Director of Parks and Recreation 

– “Residents along the River Trail at River Point Park, 

Moores Park Park, and Dodge Park really see the trail as 

their access point to all of the city’s amenities such as 

the Potter Park Zoo, downtown, Lansing Center, 

numerous city city yp parks and the county yp park system, y , 

namely Hawk Island. Residents along the River Trail 

have not reported any increase in crime or intrusions 

onto their property. For the most part, real estate 

agents view view the the Lansing Lansing River River Trail Trail as as an an asset asset that 

that 

adds value to the properties they are selling.” 

– “The The developers of of this this project project (On (On the the Grand 

Grand 

Condominiums in Old Town) also saw the positive 

benefits of the River Trail and took it upon themselves 

to enhance the park property on both sides of the 

River Ri River Trail.” 

T il ”

Lansing, MI MI - Tanya Tanya Moore, Moore, Former 

Former 

LA LA, LA, Lansing Lansing Parks and and Recreation 

– 8.5 miles, Do not keep statistics on trail. Police Dept. 

receives i few f calls. ll Police P li on bike bik patrol t l and d volunteer l t 

golf cart patrol. Privacy issues were not indicated. 

The trail system is part of the Parks Dept. Dawn to 

Dark (7:00 am am - 10:pm) Police Dept Dept. Lt Lt. Steve 

Mitchell, “Most offenses involve people being drunk or 

having open containers of alcohol”. Other problems 

cited were were urination, urination litter, litter and and graffiti graffiti. There were 

car break-ins at the Clippert Street Trail Head until the 

trail was connected to MSU then ceased. No property 

value information.

City of East Lansing – Northern 

Tier Trail 

Trail 

Trail adjacent 

t to Residential R id ti l 

Area

City of East Lansing – Northern 

Tier Trail 

Trail 

Trail head for 

Northern Tier 

Trail in White 

Park, Whitehills 

subdivision

East Lansing, Lansing, MI MI - Tim Tim McCaffrey, McCaffrey, Parks 

Parks 

Director 

– 4 4.5 5 miles, il Do D not keep k statistics i i on trails. il Police P li Dept. D 

received few calls. No privacy issues. Trails are deemed 

quite safe. Patrols are a non-issue. Police bike occasionally. 

Part of the park system. Dawn to Dark. ORV’s are not an 

issue. Did d install ll bollards. b ll d No property value l information. f 

East Lansing, Lansing, MI MI – Wendy Wendy Wilmers Wilmers Longpre, 

Longpre, 

A Assistant Assistant i t t Parks P k Director Di t 

– “Approximately ½ mile of the Northern Tier Trail runs 

adjacent to a series of single family condominium homes in 

the Hawk Hawk Nest Nest Development and another another ½ ½ mile mile to to 1 1 mile 

mile 

runs adjacent to multi-family homes and commercial 

property.” 

– “Our experience is that, by and large, those who abut the 

trail find find it it to to be be a a positive positive amenity and and a a benefit benefit to them 

and their property. The few issues that have been reported 

to us relate to people trying to access the trail through nonpublic 

access points. In addition, I am unaware of any issues 

with the East Lansing trail trail becoming becoming a a means means by by which 

which 

troublemakers access private property.”

Meridian Township, Township, MI 

MI – Younes Younes Ishraidi, Ishraidi, Chief 

Chief 

Engineer 

– “S “Several l trail t il projects j t have h been b built b ilt in i Meridian M idi Township T hi 

over the past fifteen years. Invariably, we encountered 

some of the same concerns during the planning of these 

systems that you are experiencing now from some of the 

adjacent property property owners with the ‘East-west East west Collector Trail’ Trail , 

such as loss of privacy and safety. It has been our 

experience, however, that once the trails are constructed 

and the residents start using them, the trails become very 

popular, p p and safety y and privacy p y concerns do not 

materialize.” 

DeWitt, MI 

MI - Jason Jason Eppler, Eppler, Former Former City City Administrator 

Administrator 

– 1 1.5 5 miles, miles Do not keep crime statistics for trails trails. Police 

Dept. indicated no problems. Police Dept. does patrol 1-2 

per shift, bicycle / motorcycle. Self-policing by users. 

Soccer games promote people parking on trail during peak 

capacity. Trail is part of the Park System. ORV’s not a 

problem. bl No property value l information. i f i They h do d sweep 

trails periodically, blow off in fall, and plow when needed. 

They edge concrete and spray cracks. Note: more litter in 

park, need more trash receptacles. Did not have to install 

any privacy privacy fences. 

fences

Delta Township, Township, MI MI - Dick Dick Benkert, Benkert, Parks Parks Director 

Director 

– 1.3 miles, Do not keep crime statistics on trails. No crime reported 

to date. One dog was not on leash. No information on property 

values. One complaint from neighbor across the river about trail 

const construction ction and views ie s but b t no complaints afte after that that. Park Pa k is is open 

open 

from dawn to dusk. Parks Dept. performs trash pick-up (3 times / 

week) and is the only form of patrol. Maintenance consists of 

blowing leaves off in the fall and snow plowing ½ of the trail during 

winter winter. No problems problems reported with ORV’s ORV’s. The new section of the 

E-W Connector west of Sharp Park was used heavily during the 4th winter. No problems reported with ORV’s. The new section of the 

E-W Connector west of Sharp Park was used heavily during the 4 . th . 

Kent County Trails, Grand Grand Rapids, Rapids, MI MI - Roger Sabine, 

Parks Director 

– 15.0 miles Do not keep crime statistics for trails. Local police units 

patrol and volunteer group work with police (cell phones). Approx. 

50-60% of the rail passes through many residential neighborhoods, 

from low income to high income. Privacy – only 1 privacy fence was 

installed by Kent (house 50’ away from trail). Bigger problem is the 

lot owner using the corridor (compost piles, sheds, etc.). Dawn to 

Dusk policy. Do not plow trails, sweep when needed, mow 1 time 

per month. .

Paint Creek Creek Trail, Trail, Oakland Oakland County, County, MI 

MI – 5 5 Township 

Township 

Regional Jurisdiction Jurisdiction – Kristen Kristen Meyers, Meyers, Trail Trail Coordinator 

Coordinator 

– 9.0 miles, Do not keep statistics on trails. Kristen indicated that 

“there were no problems what so ever” of complaints on the trail 

this year at all. They did experience some car break-ins at 

trailheads a couple of years ago for 2 weekends in a row. Cars 

were reportedly unlocked and a lap top computer was stolen and 

purses. There h were no patrols l for f many years. The h Sheriff h ff has h a 

mounted patrol 2 days / week for 2004. They had one drunk driver 

in 2002. In 1997 they hired a staff person (non-law enforcement 

patrol) Public Relations primarily. Hands out brochures, defibrillator, 

air pump, etc. The Paint Creek Trail Commission is the owner. Four 

communities maintain the h trail l and d budget b d between b $350 $3 0 and d 

$2,000 (5 miles – Oakland Township) per year. Limestone surface 

so they do not sweep. No roller bladers due to surface. ORV’s have 

not been a problem. MSU did a opinion survey of the adjacent 

property owners in 2002. Kristen indicated that they owners said 

that h their h i property values l have h increased i d 20% 20% and d Realtors R l 

advertise the trail as a definite asset over other properties.

Health Statistics 

�� 25% of all trips made in the U.S. are less than one mile in 

length, and 75% of those short trips are made by 

automobile (Leadership (Leadership for for Active Active Living, Living, supported supported by by the the Robert Robert Wood Wood Johnson Johnson 

FFFoundation) Foundation) dd ti ti ) ) 

• 64% of the U.S population is clinically overweight and 

31% are considered obese. Conditions are due to a lack 

of physical activity. (US (US Centers Centers for for Disease Disease Control Control and and Prevention) 

Prevention) 

• 60% of American adults are not regularly active. 25% are 

not active at all (Rails-to-Trails (Rails-to-Trails (Rails (Rails to to Trails Trails “Benefits “Benefits Benefits Benefits of of of of Trails Trails Trails Trails and and and and Greenways” Greenways” Greenways Greenways , , The The The The Trails Trails Trails Trails and and and and 

Greenways Greenways Clearinghouse,www.trailsandgreenways.org) 

Clearinghouse,www.trailsandgreenways.org) 

• Results (of inactivity) can include increased heart disease, 

cancer, diabetes, anxiety, depression and other costly health 

problems (R (R (Robert (Robert bb Wood Wood WW dd Johnson Johnson JJ hh Foundation Foundation FF dd i i (www.rwjf.org (www.rwjf.org ( ( jf jf ) ) ). ). 

• Trails provide employers a way to reduce health care costs 

(USA (USA Today Today 10/09/02) 10/09/02)

Safety Statistics 

Indiana Trails Trails Study Study – A A Study Study of of Trails Trails in in 6 6 Indiana 

Indiana 

Cities 

• The most most commonly commonly reported reported problem problem was was illegal illegal vehicle vehicle use use in 

in 

5 of 6 trail sites. 

• The second most commonly reported problem was unleashed 

pets. 

• Other f frequently reported problems were litter and excessive 

which were reported on 2 of the 6 trails. 

• Only the Greenfield Pennsy Rail Trail neighbors (commercial 

property) p p y) reported p burglary g y as a frequent q problem. p 

– The trail runs adjacent to commercial property unlike the proposed 

Delta Trail. 

– The household income in Greenfield is 20% less than that of Delta 

Township 

Indiana University – Indiana Trails Study, A Study of Trails in 6 Indiana Cities, November 30, 2001, Written by Stephen 

Wolter, Dr. Greg Lindsey, John Drew, Scott Hurst and Shayne Galloway.


Indiana Trails Trails Study, Study University University of of Indiana, Indiana 2001 

2001


The Experience on 372 Trails 

• Four separate studies conducted between 1979 and 1997 

concluded that that trails trails do do not not increase increase crime 

crime 

Burke Burke-Gilman Burke Burke-Gilman Gilman Trail Trail in in Seattle, Seattle, Washington 

Washington 

• Local police officers and residents were interviewed on the 12 

mile urban trail 

• Vandalism and burglary rates did not increase as a result of the 

trail 

• Rate of of vandalism vandalism and and break break-ins ins to to adjacent property property was was well 

well 

below the neighborhood average 

• Separation from a criminals vehicle is a primary deterrent to 

crime i 

Rails to Trails Conservancy - Rail-Trails and Safe Communities, The experience on 372 Trails, 1998, Written by Tammy Tracy 

& Hugh Morris in cooperation with National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program


372 Trails Study Continued... 

• Letters ette s from o law a e enforcement o ce e t o officials c a s attest attest t that at t the e actua actual 

volume of incidents such as graffiti, littering, sign damage and 

motorized use were minimal 

• RTC found found that that the the majority majority of of the the property property crimes crimes committed 

on trails had only a minor effect on the trail and usually did not 

harm the adjacent private property. 

• Out of of 372 372 trails trails included included in in this this study, study, the the Rails Rails to to Trail 

Trail 

Conservancy (RTC) found only eleven trails in 1995 and 10 in 

1996 that reported 3% crime incidence. These were the highest 

crime rates on the trails. 

• When trails are compared to roads, parking areas and private 

places they are safer, according to the National Rail to Trails 

Conservancy 




372 Trail Study Continued... 

• Letters from law enforcement officials attest that the actual 

volume of of incidents incidents such such as as graffiti, graffiti littering, littering sign sign damage and 

and 

motorized use were minimal 

• RTC found found that that the the majority majority of of the the property property crimes crimes committed 

on trails had only a minor effect on the trail and usually did not 

harm the adjacent private property. 

• This letter was submitted by a trail user 

“Since the trail was constructed and opened for use we have 

found that the trail has not caused any inconvenience to 

property t owners along l the th t trail.” il ” “The “Th residents id t seem to t enjoy j 

having the trail near their homes.” 





• Addressing trail users safety and trail neighbors concerns about 

crime are critical to the creation of a successful trail 

• The RTC report has shown that crime on rail-trails is not a 

common occurrence 

• “The trail has not caused any increase in the amount of crimes 

reported. We have found found that that the the trail trail brings brings in in so so many many people 

people 

that it has actually led to a decrease in problems. The increased 

presence of people on the trail has contributed to crime being 

reduced.” Charles R. Tennant, Chief of Police, Elizabeth 

T Township, hi Buena B Vista, Vi t PA 

PA 





Suburban Rail Rail-Trails Trails 

• Incidents of graffiti and unauthorized motorized usage occurred 

less frequently on suburban rail-trails than urban trails. The 

number of suburban trails reporting crimes directly affecting 

adjacent property property owners owners was significantly lower than the rates 

of trail vandalism 

• The national rate of suburban burglary is 820 per 100,000 

inhabitants; only only one one suburban suburban trail trail reported reported a a break break-in in to 

adjacent property in 1996 

• 3% of suburban trails reported trespassing 

• 17% of the suburban suburban trails trails reported reported graffiti 

graffiti 

• 24% of the trails reported littering 

• 22% of the trails reported sign damage 

• 14% of the suburban trails reported unauthorized usage 




372 Trail Study Continued… 

• Bicyclists l are more visible bl in bike bk lanes l along l road d 

• Bike lanes incorporated in the existing roadway system are safer 

than bicycles bicycles riding riding on on the the sidewalks sidewalks because motorists can not 

always see bicyclists crossing driveways (United (United States States Department Department of of 

Transportation,, Transportation,, www.fhwa.dot.gov 

www.fhwa.dot.gov 




Pinellas Trail Community Impact Study 

• C Crime data d from f the h Pinellas ll County C Sheriff’s Sh ff’ Office Off and d the h St. S 

Petersburg Police Department 

• 1993 1993, 1995 and 1999 crime data indicate that that crime crime rates rates along 

along 

the trail are no different than elsewhere in the county or city. 

Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization – Pinellas Trail Community Impact Study

Economic Statistics 

• Greenway y corridors p provide a variety y of amenities, , such as 

attractive views, open space preservation, and convenient 

recreation opportunities 

• This is reflected in increased property values and marketability 

for property located near open space 

• D Developers l also l recognize i theses th values l and d incorporate i t open 

space into planning, design, and marketing a new and 

redeveloped properties 

• Natural open space and trails are prime attractions for potential 

home buyers 

• According to research conducted by American Lives, Inc. for the the 

real estate industry, 77.7% of all home buyers rated natural 

open open space as either either “essential” or “very important” in planned 

communities. Walking and bicycling paths ranked third 

“American “American Trails” Trails” Web Web site site entitled entitled Benefits Benefits of of trails trails and and greenways greenways for for health, health, community, community, economic economic development, development, and and 

open open space. space. (www.americantrials.org/resources/benefits/10 (www.americantrials.org/resources/benefits/10 reasons.htm1) 

reasons.htm1)



2001



2001



2001



2001


National Park Service Study 

• In “The Impacts of Rail-Trails,” landowners along three rail-trails 

reported that their proximity to the trails had not adversely 

affected the desirability or values of their properties 

• Along the suburban Lafayette/Moraga Trail in California, the 

majority of the owners felt that the trail would make their 

properties sell more easily and add increased value. value. (National (National (National (National Park Park Park Park 

Service Service and and Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State State University, University, 1992) 1992)


A survey of adjacent landowners along the Luce Line 

rail rail-trail rail rail-trail trail in in Minnesota 

Minnesota 

• 87% believed the trail increased or had no effect on their 

property value 

• 61% of the suburban residential owners noted an increase in 

their property value 

• Appraisers Appraisers and real estate agents claimed that trails were a 

positive selling point for suburban suburban residential property, hobby 

farms, farmland proposed for for development, and some types types of 

small town commercial property (Mazour, (Mazour, 1988) 1988)


An April 2000 survey 

• Walking/jogging lk / and d bike b k trails l were second d on an amenity list l 

of the “important to very important,” trailing only highway 

access (Gopal Ahluwalia, Director of Research for the National Association of Home Builders; 

“consistently rank in the top five, www.nahb.com/news/smartsurvey2002.htm.) 

A 1994 survey by American Lives, Inc. 

• According to research conducted for the real estate industry, 

77.7% of all home buyers rated natural open space as either 

“essential” or “very important” in planned communities. Walking 

and bicycling paths ranked third


• “Each foot decrease in the distance from the trail 

increases the property value by $7.05.” (The (The Impact Impact of of Little Little 

Miami Miami Scenic Scenic Trail Trail on on Single Single Family Family Residential Residential Property Property Values, Values, Duygu Duygu Karadeniz, Karadeniz, 

2008) 2008) 2008) 2008) 

• Other surveys show property values are higher in areas 

within proximity to trails and greenways 

• Seattle’s Burke Gilman Trail in Ken Caryl, Colorado has 

(4145 homes), 9,000 acres, 6,000 acres set aside as open 

space, dozens of miles of multi-use trails, which link to 

amenities iti and d a metro-wide t id system. t The Th lots l t in i 

developments adjacent to the trail had property values 

7%- 15% higher than lots in similar developments not on 

the trail route. (National (National Geographic Geographic – – Sand Sand Rozeboom, Rozeboom, Rose Rose and and Company) Company) 

• Increased participation in moderate physical activity by 

the 88 million inactive Americans could reduce medical 

costs by by y$ $76 billion (Pratt (Pratt ( ( et. et. al, al, , , 2000) 2000) ) )


Benefits to Neighborhoods 

• Real Estate Estate values values over the next 26 years will rise fastest in 

mixed-use, walkable communities 

• Greenways increase property values nationwide (1998 (1998 Study Study by by the the 

National National Park Park Service) Service) 

• Land next to a greenbelt in Salem, Oregon was worth $1,200 

more per acre than 1,000 feet away (1992 (1992 Technical Technical Information Information Series, Series, 

Scenic Scenic America) America)

DELTA TRAILS 

Delta Township 

Non-Motorized Transportation 

East-West Connector Presentation 

Thank you !

DELTA TRAILS DELTA TRAILS - Delta Township

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