Freeland Vision 2025
Charter Document 

Created by: Bill Frederick, et al, 360-331-4615, fredaa@whidbey.com

 

Freeland Vision 2025 Charter Document                                                                                                                                                                                  

Purpose/Objective (See under each of our 3 Foci below for the next 20 years.)

Why a 20-Year Plan?

Thinking ahead: the value of future consciousness; Psychologists are recognizing the key role that the future plays in our thinking, our actions, and our successes and failures in life. 

We expand and enrich our consciousness of the future by building up the mental framework of images, concepts, and principles through which we understand and experience time. We do this not only through memories of our own personal experiences but through learning history, observing and studying contemporary trends, and imagining possible futures. Without anticipation, hope, goal setting, and planning--all features of future consciousness--we would be aimless, lost, mentally deficient, passive, and reactive. On the other hand, we can develop all these capacities and in so doing improve the total make-up of our mind and character. A growing understanding of the future fosters intellectual synthesis and higher-level thinking and contributes to the development of ethics, character virtues, and--most broadly of all--the multifaceted capacity of wisdom

Full article at http://www.keepmedia.com/pubs/TheFuturist/2006/01/01/1329955?ba=a&bi=0&bp=1

Support Freeland Mission as  creating a healthy, vibrant, safe place where people love to visit, learn, work, walk, bike and live.

Think globally, but act locally, first. We are starting in Freeland's central business district (CBD) core, then expanding to the surrounding near-CBD-core residences, before connecting with the Greater Freeland Area, then the whole of Island County's trail system, which in turn ties in with the larger Puget Sound Region's trails system, such as the Pacific Northwest trail. (An interesting look at this saying is found under one of the Goggle searches - http://www.psychologyhelp.com/grps129.htm.)

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,

places to play in and pray in,

where Nature may heal and cheer

and give strength to body and soul alike. "

--John Muir--

Benefits of Providing A Trails Non-Motorized System for the Greater Freeland Area:

"Building Smart Communities Through Social Networking" (Sustainable also) at http://www.orgnet.com/BuildingNetworks.pdf 

Communities are built on connections. Better connections usually
provide better opportunities. But, what are better connections, and how do
they lead to more effective and productive communities? How do we build
connected communities that create, and take advantage of, opportunities
in their region or marketplace? How does success emerge from the
complex interactions within communities?

This paper investigates building sustainable communities through improving
their connectivity – internally and externally – using network ties to create
economic opportunities. Improved connectivity is created through an
iterative process of knowing the network and knitting the network.

Improved connectivity starts with a map – knowing the complex human system you are
embedded in.

Public Health and Fitness / EHAT - Island County Public Works Trails Plan

Increased obesity and decreased activity are common amongst many population centers. Island
County is no exception. According the Island County’s Environmental Health Assessment Team
(EHAT):

• 73% Island County residents are physically inactive

• 53% of Island County residents were considered overweight in 2000

• 65% of trips under one mile are now taken by automobile

These factors are resulting in increased health problems for Island County’s residents including
heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems and depression and anxiety.

Many studies indicate that physical activity can reduce these health risks and has, in fact, been
proven to decrease the risk of colon cancer by 50% and breast cancer by 25%.

A key recommendation of EHAT’s 2005 Walkability Study is to incorporate walking into daily life as
both transportation and recreation. To do this, EHAT encourages walkable/bikable communities
through:

• Sidewalks, pedestrian/bike paths
• Connectivity to destinations
• Access to transit
• Mixed uses
• Open spaces

This Trails Plan provides specific recommendations for meeting these goals, therefore
improving the health and fitness of Island County residents.

Source: Page 4-23,
http://www.islandcounty.net/publicworks/Documents/TrailsPlanVolumeIDRAFT_001.pdf

BRAGS (Benefits, Results, Advantages, Gains & Satisfactions) of a Greater Freeland Area Pathways-Sidewalks-Trails Network

Sources: Whidbey Walks at http://www.whidbeywalks.com,

Physical Health, http://www.whidbeywalks.com/physical.htm  

The physical benefits of regular walking include:

 

• reduced risk of colon cancer

• reduced risk of coronary disease

• reduced body fat
• lowered blood pressure
• better cholesterol levels
• reduced risk of fall
• easing of chronic low back pain
• increased bone density
• increased joint flexibility

 

Walking is one of the best "cross-training" exercises because its aerobic benefits transfer directly to running, weight lifting and bicycling. Recent studies suggest that walking is one of the safest things you can do for your body.

There is also growing agreement among researchers that the intense physical activities offered at many expensive health clubs may not provide the long term benefits and stress reduction of a regular walking program.

Ride a bike. The bicycle is the most energy efficient mode of human travel. It works on multiple levels: you save money on fuel, lose weight, and increase your health in one fell swoop. Bikes contribute no toxic gases or particulates to the atmosphere. They run on carbohydrates, not fossil fuels. They are not the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 2 and 24. Your car is. May is National Ride Your Bike Month, try commuting to work or ride with your kids to school one day a week for this month. Life will suddenly feel brighter.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Report links suburban sprawl with health woes

By JULIE DAVIDOW
P-I REPORTER

People who can walk to shops and services in their neighborhoods are more fit and less likely to die in car crashes.

That's the finding of a new report released today by the Sightline Institute (formerly Northwest Environment Watch) on sprawl and health in the Pacific Northwest.

The Cascadia Scorecard 2006, which looks at an area comprising British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, also takes stock of the region's economy, population, energy, wildlife and pollution.

The link between obesity and the built environment is not new. In King County, public health officials have been studying the health impacts of land use and transportation for several years.

"The design of our communities is having an effect on our health," said Clark Williams-Derry, lead author of the report and research director at Sightline.

The goal now, said Williams-Derry, is to apply what's known to city planning -- "For policymakers to know that transportation and land-use decisions are also health decisions," Williams-Derry said.

Peggy Sarjeant, a pediatrician who lives in Phinney Ridge, is already trying to put the connection between good health -- for her family and the environment -- and walking into action.

Walking the 10 minutes to the grocery store, restaurants and coffee shops on Phinney Avenue North means a little exercise and less gas consumption.

"I try to get my kids out -- riding, walking, riding the bus," said Sarjeant, who was running errands on foot earlier this week with Zorro, her Bernese mountain dog.....

But more specific zoning changes would be necessary to make sure neighborhoods are planned to maximize opportunities to get around on foot.

The report also found that people who live in the region's most densely populated areas, including Vancouver and King County, face a lower risk of dying in car crashes than residents of sprawling suburbs.

"All else being equal, the more you drive the higher your risk," said Williams-Derry.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/274720_sprawl21.html

 

Mental Health http://www.whidbeywalks.com/mental.htm

Walking has been proven to decrease stress levels and help overcome the effects of depression.

Sometimes we seek friends, and sometimes we need solitude. Whidbey Walks is dedicated to promoting knowledge about the many paths and trails on the island. We can help you find the perfect place to walk with family and friends, or alone for reflection and solitude.

 

Spiritual Health http://www.whidbeywalks.com/spiritual.htm

For many people, walking on unpaved surfaces, in an atmosphere of green leaves, is a time for reflection and reconnection. A subtle realignment of energy occurs naturally. We become more open to the parts of our lives which stress can close off. Renewal and reconnection to core values happens easily in such an environment.

Walking - king of exercises,http://www.aboutwalking.50megs.com/

It seems that today very few people are getting enough exercise. Sitting all day in front of a computer or any of the many jobs that confine people to an office does not give the body enough of a work out. The only answer to this is to take up some form of extra activity to give your body this important workout. It has been found that walking is one of the best forms of exercise because it contributes so many benefits to the human body without risking injury or stressing it.

"Reduce Cholesterol"

The fundamental health benefits of exercise walking are many. Metabolically, it helps control weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. A brisk walk can burn up to 100 calories per mile or 300 calories per hour. Walking is the perfect complement to a sensible diet to lose weight and keep it off.

Walking Really Does

"Improve Cardiovascular Fitness"

. As an aerobic exercise, walking gets the heart beating faster to transport oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the muscles. The heart and lungs grow more efficient with a regular walking regimen, reducing blood pressure and the resting heart rate. Walking is even a central element of medical rehabilitation. Recovery from many ailments, including heart attack, is facilitated by a regular walking regimen.

"Improve Blood Circulation"

For people with poor circulation to the arms and legs, walking can increase the size and improve the efficiency of the tiny vessels that supply blood for cellular respiration. Anyone diagnosed with poor circulation should see a doctor before beginning exercise walking.

Psychologically, walking generates an overall feeling of well being and can relieve depression, anxiety and stress by producing endorphins, the body's natural tranquilliser. A brisk walk will relax you and stimulate your thinking.

"Reduce Heart Attack Risk"

If you are more than 40 years old and have any problems with weight, respiration, blood pressure, heart problems, pulse rate, or cholesterol, check with your doctor before walking. The same goes for diabetics, smokers, or people with pre-existing injuries or a family history of heart problems.

"Reduce High Blood Pressure"

A great site for helping you to monitor your health is: Medidex - your free online medical encyclopedia.

Is Walking The Best Exercise? http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Walking-The-Best-Exercise?&id=157187

BoomerWalk - an Old Dog Learns Racewalking, http://walking.about.com/

• BoomerWalk Book Review
• How to Racewalk
• Nordic Walking

The Best Time of Day to Walk and Exercise, http://walking.about.com/cs/beginners/a/besttime.htm

What's the best exercise for the average person?, http://www.medhelp.org/general/walking.htm
By Peter M. Abel, M.D.
Medical Director,
Prevention Center for Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiocascular Institute of the South 

Walking exercise tops the list, http://www.healthyexerciseworld.com/walking-exercise.html

Exercise: How Many Pedometer Steps Per Day are Enough?

New pedometer steps recommendations from Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke

How many steps per day are enough? Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke has been studying pedometer walking and released a new opinion in the January, 2004 issue of "Sports Medicine."

10,000 Steps a Magic Number?

A goal of 10,000 steps per day has become common, based on promotion in Japan by pedometer companies and its adoption by walking clubs. But there was no body of research to back up that number. Numbers as low as 6000 steps a day were shown to be correlated with a lower death rate in men in the Harvard Study.

Many people view 10,000 steps a day as too few for children, yet not achievable by many who are aged, sedentary, or who have chronic diseases. Some suggest instead of using a blanket 10,000 steps per day that instead the goal be based on the individual's baseline plus an increment of steps.

Sponsored Links

Free GPS PedometerGet A Free GPS Pedometer By Taking For Running By Taking Our Survey!Pedometer.computer-offer.com

Free GPS PedometerGet A Free GPS Pedometer By Taking Our Survey! GPS Great For Runners.OnlineRewardCenter.com

10,000 StepsHave you done 10,000 Steps today? Digiwalker pedometer and programwww.10000steps.info

For example, a woman who wears a pedometer in her ordinary activities notes that she logs 4000 steps per day. Her goal should be to add the equivalent of a half hour of walking to her day, for example 2000-3000 more steps per day.

New Goals for Walking (http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/a/locke122004.htm )

Based on the best evidence as of the end of 2003, Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke recommends the following:
Classification of pedometer-determined physical activity in healthy

http://walking.about.com/cs/measure/a/locke122004.htm

adults:
1) Under 5000 steps/day may be used as a "sedentary lifestyle index"

2) 5,000-7,499 steps/day is typical of daily activity excluding sports/exercise and might be considered "low active."

3) 7,500-9,999 likely includes some exercise or walking (and/or a job that requires more walking) and might be considered "somewhat active."

4) 10,000 steps/day indicates the point that should be used to classify individuals as "active".

5) Individuals who take more than 12,500 steps/day are likely to be classified as "highly active".

What about the "active" lifestyle of 10,000 steps per day or about 5 miles for health, fitness and weight loss?

Where did the figure of walking 10,000 steps per day for fitness and weight loss come from? What research supports walking 10000 steps per day? For answers, see

• http://walking.about.com/b/a/196379.htm   ,

• http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html ,
  

• http://www.pbs.org/americaswalking/health/health20percentboost.html ,

• http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_01-30-2005/fitness_0 ,

• http://www.ginmiller.com/gmf04/artinfo/dietguid10thousteps.htm   , and
  

• http://www.walkinginfo.org/hf/features/10kday/10kday.htm .

Create Walkable Neighborhoods http://www.smartgrowth.org/about/principles/principles.asp?prin=4&res=1024

Walkable communities are desirable places to live, work, learn, worship and play, and therefore a key component of smart growth. Their desirability comes from two factors. First, walkable communities locate within an easy and safe walk goods (such as housing, offices, and retail) and services (such as transportation, schools, libraries) that a community resident or employee needs on a regular basis. Second, by definition, walkable communities make pedestrian activity possible, thus expanding transportation options, and creating a streetscape that better serves a range of users -- pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and automobiles.must mix land uses and build compactly, and ensure safe and inviting pedestrian corridors. T

Walkable communities are nothing new. Outside of the last half-century communities worldwide have created neighborhoods, communities, towns and cities premised on pedestrian access. Within the last fifty years public and private actions often present created obstacles to walkable communities. Conventional land use regulation often prohibits the mixing of land uses, thus lengthening trips and making walking a less viable alternative to other forms of travel. This regulatory bias against mixed-use development is reinforced by private financing policies that view mixed-use development as riskier than single-use development. Many communities -- particularly those that are dispersed and largely auto-dependent -- employ street and development design practices that reduce pedestrian activity.

As the personal and societal benefits of pedestrian friendly communities are realized – benefits which include lower transportation costs, greater social interaction, improved personal and environmental health, and expanded consumer choice -- many are calling upon the public and private sector to facilitate the development of walkable places. Land use and community design plays a pivotal role in encouraging pedestrian environments. By building places with multiple destinations within close proximity, where the streets and sidewalks balance all forms of transportation, communities have the basic framework for encouraging walkability.

In addition to the many resource areas (bibliographies, documents, etc.) in the Smart Growth Network website, specific topics of smart growth are organized into 7 issue areas that each contain overviews and on-line resources. (Click on the issue area name to go to that page)

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

by Richard Louv (Author) "IF, WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, we tramped through forests of Nebraska cottonwoods, or raised pigeons on a rooftop in Queens, or fished for Ozark bluegills,..." (See full book review and other related resources online at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=adgvqjh8r2nm_90cgxhp5gn&hl=en.) Louv links children’s alienation from nature to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, stress, depression and anxiety disorders, not to mention childhood obesity. Louv’s idea is not new. Theodore Roosevelt saw a prophylactic dose of nature as a counter to mounting urban malaise in the early 20th century, and others since have expanded on the theme. What Louv adds is a focus on the restorative qualities of nature for children. He recommends that we reacquaint our children and ourselves with nature through hiking, fishing, bird-watching and disorganized, creative play. By doing so, he argues, we may lessen the frequency and severity of emotional and mental ailments and come to recognize the importance of preserving nature.

New Web site aims to get Seattleites up and walking

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004472273_walkscore12m.html

http://www.smartgrowth.org/about/issues/default.asp

• Community Quality of Life
  Smart growth offers a framework to build community and help create and preserve a sense of place. It does this through housing and transportation choices, urban green spaces, recreational and cultural attractions, and policies and incentives that promote mixed-use neighborhoods.

• Design
  Smart growth creates communities that offer health, social, economic, and environmental benefits for all. It achieves this by promoting resource-efficient building and community designs, green building practices, low-impact development, and mixed-use and walkable neighborhoods.

• Economics
  Smart growth encourages community-based small business investment and development, adds to the variety of local employment opportunities, and helps attract new businesses and industries. More efficient government services are key to this, as are public and private investments that focus on quality of life improvements.

• Environment
  Many of our current environmental challenges — air and water pollution, global warming, habitat fragmentation and conversion — are due in part to the way we have built our neighborhoods, communities, and metropolitan areas during the past half-century.

• Health
  Smart growth reduces health threats from air and water pollution and indoor air contaminants through resource-efficient building design and offering transportation options such as mass transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. These engage residents and workers in a more active, healthy lifestyle.

• Housing
  Smart growth promotes housing options for diverse lifestyles and socio-economic levels. It does this through mixed-use, affordable housing and compact development that revitalizes neighborhoods and provides an alternative to automobile-dependent communities.

• Transportation
  Smart growth protects public health and environmental quality, conserves energy, and improves the quality of life in communities by promoting new transportation choices and transit-oriented development.

 

• Leave Gridlocked, Auto-Dependent Cities
• Walkability Is a Tourist Magnet
• Dependence on Cars Is Bad for Agriculture
• Walkability - It's Good for Retail Sales

A. Ten Economic Benefits of Greenways and Trails

There are many ways in which a trail system, designed with greenway corridors and easy
accessibility, can benefit a community. The following information discusses ten different
economical benefits a community can enjoy from a trail system.

1. Real Property Values--Many studies demonstrate that parks, greenways and trails
increase nearby property values. In turn, increased property values can increase local
tax revenues and help offset greenway acquisition costs.

In a survey of adjacent landowners along the Luce Line Rail-Trail in Minnesota, the majority of
owners (87%) believed the trail increased or had no effect on the value of their property. New
owners felt that the trail had a more positive effect on adjacent property values than continuing
owners.

Furthermore, a survey of Denver residential neighborhoods shows the public’s increasing
interest in greenways and trails. From 1980 to 1990, those who said they would pay extra for
such amenities in their neighborhood rose from 16% to 48%.

2. Increased Property Tax Revenues--An increase in property values generally results in
increased property tax revenues for local governments.
Many arguments made for investments in trails, parks and open spaces claim that these
acquisitions pay for themselves in a short period of time, due in part to increased property tax
revenues from higher values of nearby property.

3. Construction/Development Perspectives--Proximity to greenways, rivers and trails can
increase sales price, increase the marketability of adjacent properties, and promote
faster sales. Clustering the residential development to allow for establishment of a trail
corridor or greenway can also decrease overall development costs and result in greater
profits for the developer.

For example, a land developer from Front Royal, Virginia, donated a 50 foot wide, seven mile
easement, for the Big Blue Trail in Northern Virginia. This easement provided a critical trail link
along the perimeter of his subdivision. The developer recognized the amenity value of the trail
and advertised that the trail would cross approximately 50 parcels. All tracts were sold within
four months.

4. Expenditures by Residents--Spending by local residents on greenway related activities
helps support recreation oriented businesses and employment, as well as other
businesses that are patronized by greenway and trail users.

5. Commercial Uses--Greenways and trails often provide business opportunities, locations
and resources for commercial activities, such as recreation equipment rentals and sales,
lessons, and other related businesses.

The following are two examples are how trails have helped local commercial areas across the
nation:

a. The downtown area of Dunedin, Florida was suffering a 35 percent storefront vacancy
rate in the early 1990's until the Pinellas Trail came into town. Now, storefront
occupancy is 100 percent and business is booming.

b. A study of the Oil Creek Bike Trail, in Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania State University,
1992) revealed that the average visitor spends $25.85 per day. This was broken down
into $9.09 for food, $6.27 for transportation, $2.56 for lodging (many visitors camp) and
$7.94 for equipment and other activities.

6. Tourism--Trails are often major tourist attractions that generate expenditures on lodging,
food, and recreation oriented services. Greenways along trails can also help improve the
overall appeal of a community to perspective tourists and new residents.
Many Americans prefer to visit places, such as greenways and trails that offer safe, scenic
recreation and transportation for the whole family. The U.S. Department of Transportation, in its
National Bicycling and Walking Study (NBWS) final report, estimates that 131 million Americans
regularly bicycle, walk, skate or jog for exercise, sport or recreation.
For example, peak-season hotel rooms along Wisconsin’s Elroy-Sparta State Park Trail are
booked up to one year in advance. A study revealed that the average visitor travels 228 miles to
experience the trail.

7. Agency Expenditures--The agency responsible for managing a trail can help support
local businesses by purchasing supplies and services. Jobs created by the managing
agency may also help increase local employment opportunities.

8. Corporate Relocation--Evidence shows that the quality of life of a community is an
increasingly important factor in corporate relocation decisions. Greenways and trails are
often cited as important contributors to quality of life.
In a June 8, 1989 article, the San Francisco Chronicle noted that when corporations are
relocating, the number one factor was a location that would attract and retain key personnel.
Corporate real estate executives now say that employee ‘quality of life’ issues are as important
as cost when deciding where to locate a new factory or office.
Bicycle and pedestrian trails also attract high quality businesses by providing commuting options
for employees, scenic places for stress-free strolls at lunchtime, and safe convenient sites for
family recreation. The Provo Parkway Trail and the Riverwoods Business Park are a local
example of this interaction.

Furthermore, natural open space, greenways, and trails are prime attractions for potential home
buyers. According to research conducted in 1995 by American Lives, Inc. for the real estate
industry, 77.7 % of all homebuyers and shoppers in the study rated natural open space as either
‘essential’ or ‘very important’ in planned communities. Walking or biking paths ranked third. A
community design that offers quiet and low traffic was the top ranked feature.

9. Public Cost Reduction--The conservation of rivers, trails, and greenways can help local
government and other public agencies reduce costs resulting from congested roadways,
environmental degradation, and other natural hazards, such as flooding.

The construction of multi-use trails allows more Americans to replace automobile trips with nonmotorized
trips. According to the NBWS report, the American public saves from 5 to 22 cents for
every automobile mile replaced by walking and bicycling, due to reduced pollution, oil import
costs, and costs due to congestion, such as lost wages and lost time on the job.

10. Intrinsic Value--With all of the previously mentioned benefits of trails it is important to
remember the intrinsic environmental value of preserving rivers, trails and other open
space corridors.

B. Four Social Benefits of Trails

1. Community Character--Not only do bicycle and pedestrian facilities enhance the quality
of life for many individuals, but trails and pathways can also be an expression of
community pride and character. In many cases it means preserving the natural and
historical resources of a region.

2. Close to Home Recreation--An explosion in the number of people who participate in
outdoor recreation has lead to an increased demand for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Participation in trail uses, such as hiking, walking, mountain biking, and in-line skating
have experienced phenomenal growth in recent years.

Multi-use trails provide convenient access to the outdoors while promoting health and
fitness activities. These trails are becoming especially popular among people living in
cities and suburban areas, where recreation opportunities close to home are scarce.

3. Convenient Transportation--Nearly half of all trips people make within their
communities can be made easily on foot or bicycle. Fifty percent of all personal travel
trips are less than 3 miles long. Personal business trips, like doctor visits, household
errands, and visits to friends account for 41.5% of all trips. Such personal short distance
trips are well suited to travel by walking or bicycling.

Public rail-trails, multi-use pathways, and on-road bicycle facilities offer communities a
means of safe convenient transportation and keep the essential links within a community
open to all. They can connect neighborhoods to schools, work places, commercial and
cultural centers, historic sights, and transit stations.

4. Health and Fitness--The health benefits of exercise derived from recreational activities,
such as bicycling and walking lessen health-related problems and reduce health care
costs. Trails, spacious sidewalks, and greenway trails offer adults and children alike the
opportunity to integrate moderate, individualized exercise with their daily trips to work,
school, the library or shopping.

Regular, moderate exercise has been proven to reduce the risks of many health
problems, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, certain kinds of cancers, and
obesity. Regular exercise can also protect against injury and disability because its builds
muscular strength and flexibility.

In addition to the health benefits that bicycling and walking offer, consider also the
improvement of physical health reduces health care costs. People who exercise
regularly have 14% lower claims against their medical insurance and spend 30% fewer
days in the hospital than people who do not exercise regularly.


C. Community Safety

Communities can take several steps in reducing accidents that can occur between automobiles,
pedestrians, and bicyclists. The following are suggestions on how to create a safer environment
for all modes of travel:

Encourage schools, safety organizations, and law enforcement agencies to deal
with bicycle and pedestrian safety issues and to focus on the most important
safety problems. The development of public education campaigns should be keyed to
the most important causes of accidents, injuries, and deaths.

For example, the leading cause of bicycle accidents occurs when cyclists ride on the wrong (left) side of the street.
By educating bicyclists to obey traffic rules and to ride safely with motor vehicles most
accidents can be prevented.

Promote the use of safety equipment among bicyclists (e.g., lights, helmets,
reflectors) and encourage safety groups to develop programs promoting the
purchase and use of safety equipment among the bicycling public.

Ideas for public involvement include community ‘safety days’ centered on trails or group presentations to
local clubs and schools. It is recommended that safety presentations are more effective
when the information is tailored to the particular audience. A good example, for schoolaged
children is to set up a mock street or trail on the school grounds with lines,
obstructions and signs. Children who make up a large percentage of bicycle traffic can
then practice safe bike riding habits on the course.

Discourage agencies’ placing marked (painted) crosswalks at uncontrolled
locations, i.e. no stop or traffic signal control. Marked crosswalks on busy streets
give pedestrians a false sense of security and are a leading cause of auto/ped accidents.

Encourage city planning commissions to design neighborhoods for both
pedestrians and autos. Local streets can be designed to induce lower vehicle speeds.

Cities can discourage school districts from placing elementary schools along major
streets and thus limit children’s exposure to traffic and speeding vehicles.

Employment centers can contribute to reducing the number of crashes, injuries, and
deaths among agency staff. Provide training and awareness programs for employees.
Encourage staff to use bicycle safety equipment.

Sample City Non-Motorized Trail Plan
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:9S8GmK_DXKUJ:www.mountainland.org/trails/trails%2520101%2520plan.pdf+trails+and+pathway+specifications,+standards&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4

Twelve Steps Toward Walkable Communities.
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:vc34uxYvWFAJ:www.dot.state.fl.us/safety/ped_bike/brochures/pdf/12STEPS.PDF+walkable+communities&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7

The California Center for Physical Activity invites communities throughout the state to apply to host a Walkable Community Workshop led by its team of walkability experts. California is the first state in the nation to offer Walkable Community Workshops led by trained, in-state experts.

The four-hour workshops are presented by one of seven active living professionals who are recognized by the California Center for Physical Activity and the California Department of Transportation as California walkability experts. Based on best practices from the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, the workshops combine practical presentations on community design with fieldwork that lets participants identify, and then pursue, concrete steps to make their communities more walkable. http://www.caphysicalactivity.org/wcw.html

Feet First helps people create more walkable communities. Across Washington, pedestrian transportation is broken and lacking. Every other mode of transportation has an organized industry and a professional lobby, yet pedestrians are lacking a basic right to safe, healthy mobility. We're the group that puts feet first.

Feet First is a hub of creative, passionate professionals who can help your community in big ways. Find out how to take action or learn about pedestrian advocacy and design right here at feetfirst.info. Our web site offers resources and opportunities for you to become more involved and more knowledgeable.

 

Sample Non-Motorized Transportation Planhttp://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:9S8GmK_DXKUJ:www.mountainland.org/trails/trails%2520101%2520plan.pdf+trails+and+pathway+specifications,+standards&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4

• Trail Types
• Trail Location & Construction Standards
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Signs & Public Maps
• Pedestrian Network
• Trail System Benefits & Safety
  

Scope/Boundaries - 3 Foci for the Next 20 Years:

Focus First: The initial focus is the Freeland core as shown on the following map:

Purpose/Objective of First Focus: (See Table of Projects at end below)

Create a system of interconnected paths and sidewalks within Freeland that will make it practical, safe and enjoyable for people to leave their cars at home or park them only once while shopping or visiting multiple businesses and other facilities within town.  The paths would support hikers and bicyclists with defined routes of trails and roadway shoulders.  The sidewalks would support pedestrians with a more level surface and a well defined separation from the road such as a curb or plantings that is more suitable for older people and even wheelchairs.

While concentrating initially on the Freeland core, these enhancements will be planned and implemented in the context of the larger network which will allow this system to tie into the larger network of  paths and trails that will eventually encompass the larger areas of Whidbey and Camano Islands which comprise Island County. These two islands will tie in with trails from the mainlands, such as the Pacific Northwest Trail.

Background 

The Friends of Freeland have developed a system of trails within this core area of Freeland as shown on the map above. Those trails have also been incorporated into the County’s “2006 Island County Non-Motorized Trails Plan.” They have resolved a number of issues needed to make this a reality, but several issues remain and additional enhancements will be necessary.

In addition to the outstanding issues related to the implementation of the existing proposal, the expansion to include walkability and pedestrian safety creates a new set of issues for a subset of the “trails”. Namely, the sections where walkability, as opposed to hiking or biking, is an issue will need to be upgraded from trails or paths to sidewalks. It is envisioned that sidewalks would be concentrated in the core business areas primarily along Main Street from the senior housing to Payless and on Harbor Avenue to provide access to additional businesses and the library.  Currently, the Main Street portion is included in an Island County "Six Year Transportation Improvement Program - From 2005 - 2010" as priority number 30 (Road Construction, curb, gutter and sidewalk).

It is the intent of the committee to build on these existing initiatives and county plans to achieve the goals as stated above.  This will entail working closely with Friends of Freeland and Island County to move these iniatives forward while extending them and resolving issues as they occur.

Outstanding issues include, but are not limited to:

• What form should the sidewalks take?
• What are the issues in securing the support of the business/property owners affected?
• Is there a layout which consolidates access to existing parking lots to reduce the number of driveways crossing the sidewalks and thus endangering pedestrians?
• Assuming Main Street is redone, can any of the smaller parking lots be replaced by on street parking to allow pedestrians easier access to the businesses from the sidewalk?
• Where and how should crosswalks across Main Street be located?
  

Purpose/Objective of Second Focus:

The purpose of this second circle of focus of trails is to expand the non-motorized mobility capabilities out from Freeland North to the Greenbank Farm area and South encompassing ALL of Whidbey Island South of the Greenbank farm area to the southern tip at Clinton.

Focus second:  Tie together the Freeland core CBD (Central Business District) foregoing trails above with connections to present and future trails from Greenbank Farm to the rest of South Whidbey Island (including Rocky Point and East Point along Saratoga Rd., to Langley, to Sandy Point, East to Randall Point to Columbia Beach and Clinton, South to Glendale and Possession Point, Skagit Head, Maple Point, then North to Sandy Hook, to  Indian Point, to Maxwelton Rd., to Sunlight-Bayview Beaches, to Double Bluff, to Admiralty Heights, to Mutiny Bay to Bush Point, to Admiralty Inlet and South Whdbey State Park, to Lagoon Point back to Greenbank Farm.) 

Another way to desribe this it to travel it is by specific roads. Go East from Main St. along Newman Rd., up Maple Glen Rd., Woodbine Rd., down Emil Rd. back to Newman Rd., out to SR 525, down to Useless Bay Ave., Millman Rd., Double Bluff Rd. to Double Bluff Park, back up Lancaster Rd., Wahl Rd. to Barr Rd., Bar Beach Rd., Barr Rd., back to Wahl and Lancaster Rds., Mutiny Bay Rd., Robinson Rd. to Island County Boat Launch, back up Mutiny Bay Rd. to Bush Pt. Rd. out along Smuggler’s Cove Rd. to Scurlock Rd. to Spyglass Dr. down to Bush Point Boat Launch, back up Spyglass Dr. to Smuggler’s Cove Rd. to SR 525 to Sr 525 North to Greenbank Farm Rest Area, back along SR 525 to Won Rd. to Greenbank Beach and Park, back up North Bluff Rd. to SR 525, South to Resort Rd. and Honeymoon Bay Rd. to SR 525 to Cameron Rd. to Shore Ave., to East Harbor Rd. to Saratoga Rd., to Langley’s 2^nd Ave., Cascade and Camano Aves., Sand Point Rd., Wilkenson Rd., Bob Galbreath Rd. to SR 525 North back to Freeland.

Purpose/Objective of Third Focus:

The purpose of this third circle of focus is to tie Freeland and the South Whidbey Island from the Greenbank Farm area South with the rest of Island County comprising the rest of Whidbey Island North of the Greenbank Farm area and Camano Island.

Focus Third: Map out tie-ins (linkages) with existing, and planned-by-the-County’s Non-Motorized Transportation Trails Plan for all of Island County which can tie into the Greater Freeland Area. This includes tying in with the Pacific Northwest Trail.

• Pacific Northwest Trail: The "PNT" is an emerging trail of national significance that is

intended to link the Pacific Coast to the Continental Divide, from Washington to
Montana. A portion of the route extends across Whidbey Island from Deception Pass to
the Keystone Ferry south of Coupeville and would likely follow a combination of
existing trails and road shoulders, passing through Oak Harbor, Coupeville, and the
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. New trail links in several areas would
greatly improve this route.

• Bicycle Touring Loop: Quiet backroads and scenic waterfront views create an

opportunity for one or more attractive bicycle touring loops, coinciding in some areas
with the PNT. Touring routes running the length of the island have been referred to as the
“Bridge-to-Boat Tour,” connecting the Deception Pass Bridge with the ferries at
Keystone and Clinton. Routes generally follow the eastern and western shores which not
only offers a variety of routing options to cyclists, but helps create shorter touring loops
in the north, central and south parts of the island. Many of these roads are already used
regularly by organized bicycle touring groups and by independent riders. Shoulder
widening in several areas would improve rider safety and enjoyment. (Page 4-26, 2006 Island County Non-Motorized Trails Plan,http://www.islandcounty.net/publicworks/trails.htm , and http://www.islandcounty.net/publicworks/Documents/TrailsPlanVolumeIDRAFT_001.pdf

Yes, the first paved roads in America were lobbied for and inspired by very powerful bicyclists. Most significantly, Colonel Albert A. Pope, president of the Columbia Bicycling Company, the first bicycling company in North America......who lived in Hartford, Connecticut League of American Bicyclists ... who then lobbied for and got the nation's "good roads movement" underway nationwide (circa 1890).  An ironic twist, Hartford had some of the first paved roads, which led to urban flight (the origins of sprawl)
formed the and, then one of the wealthiest and most sought after cities to live, became the largest, poor town in the United States.

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:RmNmKxyBKB0J:www.wheelmen.com/Change_Agents.pdf+League+of+American+Bicyclists+,+Colonel+Albert+A.+Pope,+president+of+the+Columbia+Bicycling+Company,&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4   http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:itMY5yMwYqIJ:www.cityofboston.gov/accessboston/pdfs/bicycle_plan.pdf+League+of+American+Bicyclists+,+Colonel+Albert+A.+Pope,+president+of+the+Columbia+Bicycling+Company,&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=10

http://www.globallifestyles.co.za/?q=node/32&PHPSESSID=314bf43e613d9882e1f3051d0d1e1abc 

Dan Burden, Senior Urban Planner
Glatting Jackson
Executive Director, Walkable Communities
33 East Pine Street, Orlando, Florida 32801
Toll Free Line:   866-347-2734
407-843-6552 x 1900, f.407-839-1789, c. 614-595-0976
www.glatting.com   www.walkable.org

Pacific Northwest Trail
A foot, horse, and mountain bike trail stretching from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean across Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
See http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/outdoors/trails.htm for more details.

The Pacific Northwest Trail (recreational)
The PNT extends from Brown Pass at the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Montana to Cape Alava at Olympic National park, Washington. The PNT is an east-west route that uses existing trails and roads. It crosses seven national forests, three national parks, and some private and state land. (http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/outdoors/trails.htm#pacificntrail)

http://www.trails.com/pacific-crest-trail.htm 

The Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail begins at the Bridge of the Gods on the Columbia River and ends at Monument 78 on the Canadian Border. The Washington section has several high passes and ridges, the highest being Lakeview Ridge elevation 7,126 feet. The PCT winds through many wilderness areas including, Indian Heaven, Mt. Adams, Goat Rocks, Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, and Pasayten.

Trail Network Activity References:
See John Muir quotes about the out-of-doors and nature ) related to trails at http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/

See Seattle-Kenmore Burke-Gilman Trail at http://members.aol.com/cmorhiker/backpack/index.html & http://home.comcast.net/~cmorhiker/SeattleBiking.html
Washington Trails Association at http://www.wta.org/~wta/cgi-bin/wtaweb.pl?0+fp.
Northwest Hiking Trails (WA, OR, ID, BC) at http://www.cooltrails.com

Trails.com at http://www.trails.com.

 

Consider trails with what used to be called Swedish calesthenic spots, or something like that.

Here is what Mike Dolan has penned on the Freeland Community Forum Website for our consideration and use:

" Assumption: We need ways to get about town that don’t require a car.

* Look at what the County is doing in it’s Trails Plan

* Capture the Friends of Freeland plan for pathways.

* Look at the Greater Freeland Area and identify our where you believe
we need to have our paths and trails...

Then draft a "Vision" that will guide us in developing and expanding our Pathways and Trails. This vision should address what, where, when, and how we can implement the vision. The following ideas and questions are provided as a guide to use in building your "Vision".

* Here are a some statistics and a few questions to consider:

In 2003 the average daily total (ADT) of cars that passed along Main Street was 6,470. In 2025, average daily total of cars on Main Street is expected to exceed 8,000.

• How will we minimize traffic/pedestrian interactions in town?
• What are the property issues that need to be addressed?
• Where can we have additional pathways and trails for getting around
  town?
• What can we do to make downtown a more walkable area?
• How do we get more connecting pathways and trails throughout town?
• What do we need to do to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety?
• How do we make Freeland more shopper friendly?"

   1. How will we prevent traffic jams in town?
   2. What steps can be taken to keep traffic moving?
   3. Where can we have additional access roads for circulation yet have centralized parking?

Today we have mostly open access parking with little or no control for in and out. Freeland is not designed to be shopper friendly, we are more of a drive here drive there kind of town. With traffic densities expected to increase what plans are there for making parking access safer?

   1. How can we have appropriate traffic flow, yet ensure safe walkability?
   2. What can we do to make downtown a more walkable area?
   3. What do we need to do to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety
   4. What can we do to reduce traffic problems?
   5. Where can we put centralized parking for central district shoppers?

• Where are the clearly defined entrance and exit points for our businesses?
  
• Permanent landscaping and sidewalks won’t be installed until sewers are put in, what is our best approach until that happens?
  
• With so little controlled access to parking, walking and bicycling through town is a hazardous experience.
  
• Adding semi-permanent architectural planters to define parking entrance and exit points would immediately improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Things we can do today

   1. At the corner of East Harbor Rd and Main Street, there could be a small cobblestone courtyard, currently the area in front of Cloud Nine
   2. This courtyard could double as a gathering place and a display area for the consignment store
   3. Every other parking space would have a tree in a planter box between the road and walkway
   4. Working with Island Transit, Harbor Center could have a newly designed transit stop
   5. There could be more cobblestone and small shrubs to help shield the buildings, and a new sign for the Harbor Center Shopping Mall
   6. The parking lot for the mall could have small planters with trees and shrubs
   7. In front of Napa Auto Parts we have parking at an angle facing the street in addition to the spaces facing the storefront
   8. Planter boxes act as both a curb and a shield from the road  (from 2-7-06 TRAILS, PATHWAYS, WALKABILITY & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY Committee Meeting for our consideration)

Restrictions/Constraints (what we cannot do) 

We cannot forseeable do the trails and pathways outside of the first focus above plus Newman Rd-Double Bluff Rd. (East of SR 525), and Maple Glen areas, unless on the County's TIP and/or property owners providing easements.. 

 

Develop an implementation plan to make it happen

What is a realistic schedule for implementation

List the items in the County’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan with dates and funding. 

List the Friends of Freeland project plans, dates and funding options. 

Investigate possible funding from EHAT, Steve Hoffman & Linda Rhodes at http://www.islandcounty.net/health/EHAT/EHAT-Membership.htm.  

 

Quantify the costs involved

List costs from immediately above sources. 

 

Identify how it will be financed

List funding sources from projects plans identified above. Investigate the Environmental Health Assessment Team (EHAT), Steve Hoffman at http://www.islandcounty.net/health/EHAT/EHAT-Membership.htm.  Local service clubs, individual residents, businesses, State and Federal Grants, and Island County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) budget.

 

Background (where we are now, what has been done to date, and the impact to the community) 

List projects status from above listed project sources. 

 

Future (what we are trying to accomplish and the impact this will have on the community) 

Plan, schedule and program these improvement projects to achieve our Purpose/Objective and Vision stated above. 

 

Action Plan – Expectations and Goals for achieving our objective 

Coordinate with Island County Transportation, South Whidbey Port District, Friends of Freeland, Freeland Chamber of Commerce, and individual property owners for the actual implementation of these projects.

 

Deliverables (white papers, status reports, presentations, etc.) 

Xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx ………….. 

 

Who is assigned

See Projects Table below.

 

Due dates

This Charter document draft on May 22, 2006. For individual walkway and trails projects see Projects Table below. All to be completed by May 22, 2025.

 

Key Contacts and Resources (library of documents available, Freeland committee members, seminars/conferences, other on/off island resources); Dan Burton of Walkable Communities, Inc. at http://www.walkable.org /; National Center for Bicycling and Walking at http://www.bikewalk.org/newsletterarch2003.php ;