Dedicating land for future construction of trails and multiuse facilities enhances connectivity and provides more attractive and safer facilities for active transportation. Regional entities can help plan a regional network and incorporate programming within regional plans, whereas municipalities can incorporate the network into General Plans and request the land dedication from developers as the required parcels are developed or redeveloped.
Land dedication itself is not directly quantifiable as a VMT-reduction strategy because it does not necessarily result in construction of a transportation facility. However, preserving rights-of-way can be a necessary step toward constructing bicycle and pedestrian facilities that can reduce VMT. The eventual VMT benefit will depend on the location, quality, connectivity, and destinations served by the completed trail network.
For more details, see CAPCOA, T-19-A. Construct or Improve Bike Facility, pg. 137–141, CAPCOA, T-19-B. Construct or Improve Bike Boulevard, pg. 142–145 and CAPCOA, T-20. Expand Bikeway Network, pg. 146–149 for VMT reduction quantification.
Dedicating land for Class I bike trails enhances low-stress transportation options for residents without vehicles and improves regional connectivity for historically underserved neighborhoods. Prioritizing trail development in communities lacking safe bicycle infrastructure helps reduce mobility barriers, particularly for youth and seniors. Trail design should ensure ADA compliance and safe access points from surrounding areas.
Trail and multi-use facility construction can require significant initial investment as well as ongoing maintenance. Potential funding sources include the Statewide Active Transportation Program, Recreational Trails Program, Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning grants, Transportation Alternatives funding, local park and transportation funds, and other competitive active transportation grants. Developers may also dedicate trail easements or construct trail segments as part of subdivision or development approvals when the improvement is appropriately related to the development.
The Tuolumne River Regional Park provides a strong Stanislaus example of developing a regional off-street trail system. The park includes the Riverwalk, a paved bicycle and pedestrian trail, and is intended to connect with other trail and greenway systems in the region. Planning documents identify opportunities to connect the Riverwalk with the Dry Creek Parkway, Hetch Hetchy right-of-way, and other greenways.
Stanislaus County planning documents demonstrate the use of trail right-of-way reservations as part of development planning. One project included a multi-purpose trail along a Turlock Irrigation District lateral and reserved trail right-of-way on the project site to accommodate the community-plan requirement.
