Regional Perspective
Regional Planning Benefits:
The Loop Trail is an amalgamation of existing trails and trails proposed in a variety of regional plans. There are several segments of trail proposed for the first time in this plan. The concept of The Loop itself accomplishes many of the objectives stated in the following plans.
See the appendix for copies of the trails planning maps.
Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan, 1998
The City of Flagstaff led this effort by involving land management agencies and local citizens to participate in a planning process that began in 1994 and was completed in 1997.
- A guiding principle of the plan:
Connect communities, neighborhoods, open spaces, parks, cultural sites, and natural areas by providing non-motorized transportation corridors to the city, between communities, and between the city and outlying areas. (page 5).
- Plan Goal:
Develop an interconnected open space and greenway network providing access and recreational opportunities (page 11)
- Objectives:
- Provide a range of opportunities for recreation in open spaces and greenways
- Develop a network of interconnected trails for recreation and commuting
- Protect access to public lands
Recommendation:
The City and Forest Service should coordinate and connect their trail systems. The County should develop a trail system to connect to the Forest Service’s and City’s systems; and that connects to park, cultural, and educational sites. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in 1997 to establish a framework for cooperation and collaboration to implement the plan between the following entities:
- City of Flagstaff
- Coconino County
- Arizona State Land Department
- Arizona Game and Fish Department
- Coconino National Forest
- National Park Service, Flagstaff Area Monuments
Flagstaff Area Regional Land Use and Tranportation Plan, 2001
This plan is a joint city and county effort. The geographic scope of the plan is the same as the boundary of the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization which goes beyond the city limits. The following policies are pertinent to the development of The Flagstaff Loop Trail.
- Provide non-motorized transportation corridors to connect communities, neighborhoods, open spaces and recreational areas. Policy OSPR1.3, page 4-3.
- Provide neighborhood connections to regional trails and open space network Strategy OSPR1.3
- Coordinate urban, county, and USFS trail systems. Strategy OSPR1.3f.
- Establish a comprehensive bicycling network and trails system. Policy T3.1, page 3-10.
- Coordinate trail programs with USFS Trail System, Strategy T3.1b.
Coconino County Comprehensive Plan, 2003
This plan was developed through a conservation-based planning partnership with the goal of balancing growth, development and conservation throughout the county. The following are the trails goals and policies from the plan.
- Goal:
Support a regional system of trails that link communities, public lands, and activity centers (page 66).
Policies:
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- The County supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the need for public lands access, continuity of trail networks, provisions for nonmotorized circulation, and resource protection through community trails plans.
- To protect sensitive natural and cultural resources, the County encourages the identification and development of trails designed to accommodate a high level of use while minimizing impacts to the environment.
- In coordination with developers, community groups, and land management agencies, the Coutny encourages regional planning of nonmotorized circulation infrastructure and facilities, such as trails and bike lanes, that link destination areas, community activity centers, and where appropriate designated access points to public lands.
- Partnerships are encouraged among the County, trail managers, trail users, and neighborhoods to improve trail safety and access, user information, volunteer stewardship, linkages between long-distance trails, and recognition of historic trails.