Tucked away in scenic Marin County countryside, the town of Corte Madera stretches from the tidal waters of the San Francisco Bay to the base of Mt. Tamalpais. This small town of about 9,500 residents, situated along the popular "Paradise Loop" road cycling route with numerous parks and open spaces within hiking and biking distance, reflects an easygoing California lifestyle. Its shoreline location makes Corte Madera a key link in the regional San Francisco Bay Trail network, which will ultimately result in over 400 miles of trail around the Bay. Corte Madera also sits along the Marin County North-South Bikeway route, a continuous bicycle route planned since 1974 that stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma County.

Alta Planning + Design recently completed a feasibility study for developing the entire Bay Trail segment through Corte Madera. Several trail alignment options were considered, including use of a former railroad right-of-way, parallel multi-use trail segments, and on-street bicycle facilities. The project required balancing the goals of providing a high-quality recreational trail experience while also ensuring that the alignment would serve commuter and utilitarian users by providing bicycle and pedestrian access to nearby destinations such as schools and a regional shopping mall. Working with an Advisory Committee comprised of Town staff, Bay Trail staff, representatives from the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, and other local stakeholders, Alta evaluated such factors as available right-of-way, traffic and parking patterns, and environmental impacts in order to develop a preferred alignment. The final study report calls to extend the Bay Trail along the Northwestern Pacific railroad right-of-way, continue on a multi-use pathway parallel to San Clemente Drive, and implement shared-use road markings and improved signage along Paradise Drive. The Corte Madera Town Council approved the study on June 15, and the next step is for the Town to secure construction grants to begin implementing segments of the alignment

For more information about this project, contact Alta Senior Planner Brett Hondorp in our Berkeley office.

Working under contract for Clark County, Nevada, Alta just completed a feasibility study for a four-mile trail segment that will parallel the Duck Creek east of the Las Vegas Strip. The study outlines existing conditions, trail alignment recommendations, roadway crossing recommendations, preliminary design treatments, amenity options, and construction cost estimates.

"So, are you going to install slot machines along the trail?" Many people have asked this question, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), the Duck Creek Trail will not have slot machines. Instead, the trail will provide a recreational and transportation opportunity that will feel far removed from the sounds and sights of The Vegas Strip. Instead of the ringing of bells, one may be able to hear the sounds of warblers and doves. Instead of bright flashing lights, trail users will be able to catch the sunset's warm glow on the red boulders along Duck Creek's natural banks.

In 2003, this trail corridor was proposed as a regional trail connection as part of the Las Vegas Valley Regional Trails Plan. Duck Creek (also known as Duck Creek Wash) is located in eastern Clark County and flows into the 130-acre Clark County Wetlands Park near Sam Boyd Stadium (home of the UNLV Running Rebels). This trail will connect neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses, natural areas, and the trail system in the city of Henderson.

As Clark County continues to grow, the trail will provide a safe route for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and wheelchair users to access parks and other trails. It will serve as an important transportation corridor, as well as a recreational amenity for the region's residents and visitors. It will also function as a maintenance and emergency access road for the Clark County Flood Regional Control District and Nevada Power. Overall, this four-mile section of the Duck Creek Trail is feasible to build; however, it is not without some challenges. The primary challenges include: private property constraints, major roadway crossings, and potential flood issues within the channelized portion of the Creek. Creative solutions to these challenges will allow this project to be implemented.

For more information, contact Alta Senior Planner Arif Khan in our Portland office.