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TO: Mayor Robert J. O'Connor
FROM: John Russell
DATE: April 5, 2017
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to apply for an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program grant, in the amount of $140,000, to replace the existing, crumbling concrete stairway at the south end of the Fox River Trail East Branch.
PURPOSE:
Thousands of people use the stairway leading to/from New York Street to the Fox River Trail East Branch every year. Because of this high use, and the vibrations caused by traffic passing by on New York Street, the concrete stairway is in continual need of repair. Replacing the concrete with a galvanized metal staircase will provide better traction and create a safer passage for walkers along the trail, and for those who use the staircase and trail as the path to the south entrance of RiverEdge Park.
BACKGROUND:
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program provides funding for a variety of projects involving Recreational Trails, including "Trailside and trailhead facilities (for example parking, access roads, shelters, restrooms, potable water, architectural/engineering services, etc." The staircase at the south end of the Fox River Trail East Branch rises 13 from the shoreline, bringing hikers up to street level at New York Street.
DISCUSSION:
In a 2013 study, Trails for Illinois reported that 50,000 walkers used the Fox River Trail West Branch each year. Based on that count, it is estimated that 20,000 walkers each year used the trail's East Branch, between Broadway and New York Street. But that was in 2013, before the opening of RiverEdge Park, which has brought 100,000 people to the Fox River shoreline in each of the past three years. With an entrance to RiverEdge Park along the Fox River Trail East Branch, the number of trail users undoubtedly is much higher now than in 2013. This increased foot traffic, and the vehicle traffic along New York Street, have caused crumbling of the trail staircas...
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