HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/10/15 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
October 15, 2007
6:30 p.m.
Westwood Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall
Discussion Items
1. 6:30 p.m. St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
7:15 p.m. Adjourn
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arrangements, please call the Administrative Services Department at (952) 924-2525 (TDD
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Meeting Date: October 15, 2007
Agenda Item #: 1
Regular Meeting Public Hearing Action Item Consent Item Resolution Ordinance
Presentation Other:
EDA Meeting Action Item Resolution Other:
Study Session Discussion Item Written Report Other:
TITLE:
St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Discuss the general direction and proposals of the draft pedestrian and bicycle systems plan.
Identify City Council’s key concerns to address in the plan before the Community Open
House on October 24.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS:
There will be numerous policies to consider, but none needs to be decided at this time.
BACKGROUND:
The goal of Active Community Planning is to integrate public health into community planning
and design and promote opportunities for physical activity as part of residents’ daily routines.
The funding for this project comes from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota’s Prevention
Minnesota initiative.
The plan generally focuses on:
Increasing Walking and Bicycling
o Closing sidewalk and trail gaps
o Improving pedestrian safety at road intersections
o Overcoming barriers
Connecting Destinations (where people spend time)
o Prioritizing schools, community parks, gathering spaces, major transit stops
o Improving walking and biking routes to destinations
o Adding pedestrian and bicycle facilities and amenities at the destinations
Transportation
o Commuting
o Improving access to transit
PROPOSALS:
The draft plan consists of a series of proposals (strategies). The proposals include policies,
actions, and physical improvements. The physical improvement projects are concentrated
around community parks, community gathering spaces, transit and schools. The plan suggests
focusing short-term investments in areas that also help to complete a citywide pedestrian grid
system every ¼-mile and bicycle grid system each ½-mile. A general list of the types of physical
improvements includes:
Additional sidewalk installation to fill existing gaps and complete a city pedestrian grid
Pedestrian crossing improvements at 14 intersections identified by the community and
accident information
Transit stop improvements at major transit stops
New or improved pedestrian bridges over Highway 100 and the BNSF Railroad tracks
On-road bicycle routes (bike lane/share the road)
Meeting of October 15, 2007 Page 2
Subject: St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
The Vision St. Louis Park process and the sidewalk and trail planning process have suggested
additional trail and design ideas that are long-term proposals. These ideas deserve additional
study and consideration, and the City should seize opportunities to protect and advance these
ideas:
A regional trail corridor along the CP Rail Line
A Minnehaha Creek trail
A “green” streets network (Green streets would provide innovative stormwater management
into their design, incorporate significant landscaping, cool the travelled way by shading the
street, and accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.)
VISION CONSIDERATION:
The plan considers the following City Council adopted Strategic Directions and Action Items:
Strategic Direction: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged
community
o Action: Develop an expanded and organized network of sidewalks and trails
o Action: Evaluate and investigate additional north/south transportation options for the
community
o Action: Increase use of new and existing gathering places and ensure accessibility
throughout the community
St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in environmental stewardship. We will
increase environmental consciousness and responsibility in all areas of city business.
Some of the other facets of Vision St. Louis Park considered in this plan include:
Transportation: Connect neighborhoods and gathering places with trails, sidewalks, transit,
roads both inside and outside St. Louis Park. Consider transit needs and connections, road
safety, and enhance aesthetics of key corridors.
Sidewalks and Trails: Create a safe and efficient bicycle and pedestrian grid system. Identify
major points of interest and ensure connected to the grid(s). Conduct a gap study. Identify
routes, connections and obstacles. Form nature and recreation trails as parks/destinations.
Assign priorities.
Gathering Spaces: Promote means of access that do not involve vehicles. Develop long-
range plan for improving non-vehicular access. Design a system of sidewalks and trails that
encourages non-vehicular access to city, regional, and neighborhood gathering places.
Housing: Provide walkable destinations and more sidewalks throughout the City.
Environment: Expanding and enhancing green spaces and parks by incorporating design
standards that increase green medians on roadways and tree planting initiatives.
Attachments:
Draft Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Notes from October 10 (These comments have
not been incorporated into the draft plan, yet)
Rough draft of the plan text (hint: goals, objectives and strategies begin on page eight)
Analysis Worksheets:
o Draft Intersection Improvements Matrix
o Draft Transit Stop Improvements Matrix
o Draft Implementation and Priorities Matrix
Draft Maps and Graphics
Meeting of October 15, 2007 Page 3
Subject: St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
Prepared by: Sean Walther, Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Meg McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Kevin Locke, Community Development Director
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager
Meeting of October 15, 2007 Page 4
Subject: St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
SRF No. 6016
ST. LOUIS PARK
ACTIVE LIVING: SIDEWALKS & TRAILS
COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING #3
MEETING MINUTES- DRAFT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007
6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
ST. LOUIS PARK CITY HALL
Prepared by: Stewart Crosby
Attendees:
Sean Walther (SW), City of St. Louis Park
Meg McMonigal (MM), City of St. Louis Park
Mike McGarvey (MM), SRF Consulting Group
Stewart Crosby (SC), SRF Consulting Group
Sharon Abelson (SA), CAC member
Todd Brewer (TB), CAC member
Will Donovan III (WD), CAC member
George Hagemann (GH), CAC member
Robert Kramer (RK), CAC member
Barb Person (BP), CAC member
Meghan Phimister (MP), CAC member
Kurt Vredenburg (KV), CAC member
Paul Zeigle (PZ), CAC member
Brief Summary of Meeting Action By
• SW called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM and reviewed the progress since the last CAC
meeting in May.
• MM gave a document overview presentation.
• Private schools have students from outside the community who do not walk to school.
• MM responded that this is part of the reason the analysis was done using the St Louis
Park public school walk zones.
• Why the distances of ¼ mile and ½ mile are used for the analysis?
• The existing community centers such as Lennox, Central and the Rec Center should be
shown on the Community Gathering Center analysis diagram. (They were not included
on this diagram, because they were already covered under schools and parks diagrams.)
• Add a delay to the timing between the red and green lights on stop lights for additional
crossing safety.
• SRF will check with Three Rivers Park District about future planning for grade-
separated crossings at the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail crossings at Wooddale Ave
and Beltline Blvd.
SRF
Meeting of October 15, 2007 Page 5
Subject: St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
Brief Summary of Meeting Action By
• Add a pedestrian stop button in median islands for large intersections such as Highway
7 and Louisiana Avenue. SRF will add this option to the intersection improvement
matrix.
SRF
• Curb cuts are not well placed at intersection crossings. It can be difficult to navigate the
light pole, push the walk button and get to the curb cut before crossing.
• The County bike route shoulders along Cedar Lake Road disappear at the Texas Avenue
intersection.
• Issues that may arise from the new Park Nicollet complex that will be built at Beltline
Boulevard and Monterey Avenue. This complex will include a parking ramp that will be
available as overflow parking for the Rec Center which will require pedestrians to cross
Monterey Avenue.
• The pedestrian crossing at the Rec Center exit onto Monterey Avenue is dangerous and
would benefit from a blinking light or other safety measure.
• The pedestrian crossing on 36th Avenue at the Shalom Home is dangerous.
• Could a pedestrian activated stop light be installed at the LRT trail crossing of Beltline
Blvd and Wooddale Avenue?
• SW commented that the City reviewed this crossing and there are problems with the
Highway 7 stop lights and the railroad crossings that make it not feasible/cost
prohibitive to install a pedestrian activated stop light.
The committee discussed sidewalk and trails recommendations.
• Prioritize the sidewalk along 41st St W, east of the pedestrian bridge over TH 100.
• Prioritize the bike lane along 38th St W instead of 39th St W near Minnikahda Vista Park.
• Bike lanes end or are not a priority as they approach the city boundaries. There cannot
be consistent connections to other city’s bike lanes unless these connections are
priorities.
• How long, if ever, will the Priority 2 segments be constructed?
The committee discussed on-street bike facility recommendations.
• The City Council responded to the 1999 plan be deciding that parking cannot be taken
to make room for on-street bike lanes.
• It makes more sense to put resources into sidewalks and intersection improvements
rather than on-street bike facilities.
• Improving on-street bike facilities along key routes, especially extending/improving the
two existing County bike routes, is a good idea because it provides bike options and
makes bicycling more visible.
• There is a need for north/south bike lanes.
• Bicycle signage is a good idea because it is an endorsement of bicycling and improves
the understanding of bicycling along city streets.
• Consider improvements at the Park Place Blvd. and Duke intersection.
• Connections on the north side of the City to Golden Valley need to be made stronger for
bicycle and pedestrian routes. On-street bike facilities should connect with the
pedestrian bridges over I-394.
Meeting of October 15, 2007 Page 6
Subject: St. Louis Park Active Community Planning
Brief Summary of Meeting Action By
• A multi-use trail should be considered along Park Place Blvd. north to the I-394 bridge
crossing.
The committee discussed future opportunities.
• The report should mention the boardwalk system Park Nicollet-Methodist Hospital,
Minnehaha Creek and the City are planning along Minnehaha Creek between Louisiana
Ave. and Excelsior Blvd.
• The report should mention that the City owns a significant amount of land along
Minnehaha Creek.
• Some segments of trail on city-owned land along Minnehaha Creek perhaps should be
identified in the report.
• The concept of “green” streets is appealing, especially in areas with heavier traffic.
• Can these recommendations be measured to show success in the future? Look at
modifying objectives to ensure they are measurable and include this in the
implementation part of the report.
• The report should include education and enforcement.
cc: Barry Warner, SRF Consulting Group
H:\Projects\6016\LA\DOC\CAC Meeting 3\CAC #3 meeting minutes.doc
City of St. Louis Park Draft 10/05/07
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Community Advisory Committee
Sharon Abelson
Todd Brewer
Will Donovan III
George Hagemann
Marjorie Herdes
Robert Kramer
Barb Person
Meghan Phimister
Kurt Vredenburg
Paul Zeigle
City of St. Louis Park Staff
Rick Beane, Park Superintendent
Scott Brink, City Engineer
Meg McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor
Cindy Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director
Sean Walther, Senior Planner
SRF Consulting Group, Inc.
Stewart Crosby, ASLA
Mike McGarvey, ASLA, LEED-AP
Barry Warner, FASLA, AICP
I. INTRODUCTION
Project Purpose
Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading causes of preventable death
and disability in the State of Minnesota. Recognizing the significance of this statement,
the City of St. Louis Park responded to the challenge by taking the initiative to make
public health an element of City planning policy. The City’s commitment to the planning
and implementation of initiatives such as “Vision St. Louis Park”, have established St.
Louis Park as a regional leader in creating a livable and active community. This plan will
identify existing conditions and gaps in the pedestrian, bicycle and transit system,
summarize the analysis process and make recommendations to improve the bicycle,
pedestrian and transit systems in St. Louis Park. Input from members of the community,
the Community Advisory Task Force and city staff are critical components of this plan.
Big Picture/ Vision
St. Louis Park is actively engaging its citizens in ways to make the city more livable. The
recent Vision St. Louis Park process, which was completed in 2006, provided City staff
and elected officials an opportunity to hear from residents that the City’s sidewalks and
trails are a vital piece of the city’s infrastructure. The Vision St. Louis Park process
identified the need to improve the sidewalk and trail system to make it safe and easy for
residents and visitors to travel around the city without using cars, thereby improving the
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overall health of residents and reducing the reliance on automobiles in the city.
Therefore, the vision for this project is as follows.
St. Louis Park has a connected network of safe sidewalks and trails that
connect with present and future modes of mass transit and which
overcomes obstacles to bicycle and pedestrian commuting so that the
City’s residents are empowered to move about the city and are more fit
and active day to day.
Background
(Blue Cross sidebar)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, an independent licensee of the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is the primary financial sponsor
of St. Louis Park’s Active Living project. Blue Cross initiated a program
called Active Community Planning which provided funding for several
Minnesota communities to enhance their planning process to better
support physically active lifestyles. It is part of Blue Cross’ long-term
initiative called Prevention Minnesota to improve the health of all
Minnesotans. Prevention Minnesota tackles preventable heart disease and
cancers by addressing their root causes — tobacco use, physical inactivity,
and unhealthy eating. (Insert BCBSMN logo? Requires approval from
Blue Cross)
In 1999, St. Louis Park created a Trails and Sidewalks Master Plan that identified
existing and potential activity nodes, transit stops, regional links, and natural resource
destinations. It also identified physical impediments and hazards, and set priorities for
building and improving crossings, sidewalks, trails and bikeways.
Since 1999, St. Louis Park has added over 7 miles of new sidewalks, 2.5 miles of new
trails and new regional trail connections to provide neighborhood access to the regional
system. Crossing improvements such as countdown timers and enhanced signage have
provided safety improvements across the city. In spring 2007, construction commenced
on a pedestrian bridge over CR 25 that will link Carpenter Park and City Hall with the
Cedar Lake Regional Trail and Beltline Boulevard.
Following the success of St. Louis Park’s first Vision St. Louis Park process in 1994, the
city initiated a second Vision St. Louis Park process in 2006. This Vision process was
forward thinking, and eight Vision action teams were formed to address issues in the
environment; transportation; sidewalks and trails; gathering places; community events;
housing; arts and culture; and diversity. Each action team prepared a list of ideas that
were compiled in A Book of Dreams that outline areas of focus for the next ten years.
The Book of Dreams included objectives and action plans and was used by the City
Council and the Mayor in creating a final report. The final report is based on what
residents have requested for the future of their community and will act as a guide for the
city in the years to come.
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Active Community Living
The increasing rates of obesity in children and adults in our society are signs that as a
whole, we are less active than previous generations. Fewer children walk or bicycle to
school and many of the short trips we take are accomplished using a car. This is partly
habitual and many times it’s a matter of convenience. But it is also because we have
designed our communities so that it is easier to travel by automobile than on foot or
bicycle.
Active living is a way of life that integrates physical activity into daily routines
(www.bluecrossmn.com). Communities can be proactive in promoting active living
lifestyles by providing safe and efficient pedestrian and bicycle transportation systems
that consist of sidewalks, trails and safe crossings of highways, major streets and
railroads. Making a city more walkable and more bikable is a major component of
creating an environment where residents can have a more active lifestyle. Creating a
viable pedestrian network will provide residents the opportunity to walk to school or to
the grocery store and to commute to work or bus stops, or to future light rail transit
stations.
Distances that are walk-able and bike-able vary from person to person, depending on a
person’s age, health and physical condition. The US Green Building Council, along with
the Congress for the New Urbanism and Natural Resources Defense Council is
developing a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental in Design) rating system
for neighborhood development called LEED-ND. LEED-ND identifies a walk-able site
as being within ½ mile of major transit stops such as light rail or bus rapid transit.
Bikable distances, according to the LEED-ND system is three miles from a point to point,
measured along the route (US Green Building Council, 2007).
The residents of St. Louis Park recently indicated that improving the pedestrian and
bicycle connectivity in their community is a top priority. Improving pedestrian and
bicycle connections to schools, parks and public buildings is a major concern for
residents. In addition, the City of St. Louis Park has identified several community gather
places that are becoming focal points for mixed-used development. The Excelsior &
Grand development on Excelsior Boulevard is a nationally recognized example of a
revitalized community space specifically designed to be a place where people can live,
work, shop and entertain in a single urban area.
[Insert table of the five community gathering spaces of St. Louis Park]
A community that promotes active living strives to provide residents with many forms of
alternative transportation to reduce the dependence on cars and to inspire more pedestrian
and bicycle activity. St. Louis Park has numerous existing transit opportunities that
include a regional bus system with multiple routes through and around the city, two
regional trails that bisect the city and taxi service. The two regional trail corridors are also
potential light rail corridors that would provide service from the southwest metro to
downtown Minneapolis, directly through the center of St. Louis Park. There are three
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future light rail transit stations identified in St. Louis Park located along the LRT
corridors.
Safe Routes to School
The federal Safe Routes to School program, as part of the federal transportation bill, is
designed to improve the conditions and quality of bicycling and walking to school. The
goal of the program is to reverse the 30 year decline in the numbers of children walking
to school and reintroduce opportunities for regular physical activity. This plan will look
closely at existing pedestrian connections to schools.
II. ANALYSIS
The 1999 Sidewalk and Trail Plan provided a road map for the City of St. Louis Park to
upgrade and expand the sidewalk and trail system. Important projects have been
completed over the last eight years including the construction of a pedestrian bridge over
County Road 25 at Ottawa Avenue. Crossing improvements such as countdown timers
have been added to a number of intersections around the city.
[Insert progress since 1999 map]
Public Involvement
At the outset of this process, the city invited members of the community to participate on
a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure that the issues and concerns of the
citizens are addressed by the plan. Members of the CAC represent multiple
neighborhoods, local businesses and many are bicycle and pedestrian advocates. The
CAC is a very knowledgeable group of local citizens and experts that agreed to share
their knowledge and help direct the Sidewalks and Trails study. The CAC participated in
four meetings and discussed the issues and opportunities of St. Louis Park’s network of
sidewalks and trails. The CAC was engaged in creating the list of goals and objectives for
the study and provided feedback on the current state of the sidewalk and trails system,
providing input on areas of concern and ideas for system-wide improvements.
Public input was a key component of the study. Public input was gathered at a
community workshop held on May 17, 2007 and through an on-line survey available on
the St. Louis Park website. Thirty five members of the community participated in the
community workshop and 204 on-line surveys were completed and returned to the city. A
summary of the survey results is included in the appendix.
Other Studies
Hennepin County conducted a study in 2006 to identify the major gaps in its bicycle
route network. The Bicycle Gap Study identified ninety gaps around the county, three of
which are in or adjacent to St. Louis Park. The three gaps include France Avenue from
the Midtown Greenway south to 80th Street; Minnetonka Boulevard from TH-100 to the
Kenilworth Trail connection at Lake Street; and Minnetonka Boulevard from west of
Oakridge Road to TH-100. These gaps will be addressed later in the Active Living:
Sidewalks and Trails plan.
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EXISTING SYSTEM
Regional System
The Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area is well served by a wide-ranging regional
park and trail system. Regional trails are developed in partnership with citizens,
municipalities, counties, Three Rivers Park District and the Metropolitan Council. In St.
Louis Park, the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT
Regional Trail bisect the city from the southwest to the east. Both trails are operated by
Three Rivers Park District and both connect with trails in the City of Minneapolis
including the Kenilworth Trail, the Cedar Lake Trail and the Midtown Greenway.
Hennepin County operates a network of on-road bicycle lanes. In St. Louis Park, Cedar
Lake Road and Minnetonka Boulevard are identified as on-road bike routes from the city
boundary with Minnetonka east to Highway 100.
[Insert regional context map]
As a first-ring suburb, St. Louis Park reflects both urban and suburban development
patterns. Its streets, roadways, highways and sidewalks connect with neighboring cities as
part of the large urban grid of the core metropolitan area. These connections increase the
effectiveness of the pedestrian and bicycle systems within St Louis Park because it allows
residents to move beyond the city limits on safe, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
[Insert map of adjacent community connections]
Bicycle and Pedestrian System
The Vision St. Louis Park process identified sidewalk gaps as a major barrier to making
the City walkable. As the following diagram illustrates, certain neighborhoods in the City
have more complete sidewalk coverage. Even where there is a significant sidewalk
network, key connections are often missing, creating holes in the City sidewalk system
that makes pedestrian travel difficult. Sidewalks serve many purposes such as providing a
safe place for children to play and space for residents to walk, protected from roadway
traffic.
St. Louis Park has a network of city-operated trails. The trails are located in or link to city
parks and link to the two regional trails.
[Insert existing sidewalk and trail map]
Intersection Safety Analysis
The residents of St. Louis Park and the Community Advisory Committee identified
pedestrian crossings as one of the most critical elements in the City’s sidewalk and trail
infrastructure. To identify the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians and bicyclists,
the design team analyzed crash data from 2001-2006. The following map identifies
intersections with reported crashes that involved pedestrians and bicyclists during that
six-year period.
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[Insert intersection safety analysis map]
Public Transit Locations in SLP
St. Louis Park has 12 Metro Transit bus routes that carry passengers around the
community, to downtown Minneapolis and into the neighboring cities. The bus routes
through St. Louis Park run along major streets and roadways and through neighborhoods
on key connecting streets. They connect major businesses such as Methodist Hospital and
commercial centers such as Texa-Tonka both within the City and to major destinations
outside the City. St. Louis Park maintains two park and ride lots along Louisiana Avenue
at Minnetonka Boulevard and W. 27th Street. There are two Metro Transit park and ride
lots along I-394 at Louisiana and Park Place Boulevard and a third on Cedar Lake Road
at Flag Avenue. The following map identifies the major bus routes, the park and ride lots
and the location of all bus stop shelters.
[Insert existing transit map]
Wayfinding
Wayfinding elements for pedestrians and bicyclists help users to find their way, identify
pedestrian or bicycle routes and may highlight interesting or important information. The
City of St. Louis Park does not presently use pedestrian or bicycle wayfinding elements,
other than standard street signage.
Three Rivers Park District maintains trail kiosks and directional sign poles along their
regional trails. The kiosks include an aerial map that highlights the trail routes and
identifies nearby public services, parks and recreation features. The directional sign poles
point in the direction of popular destinations and provide distances in miles.
[Insert photos of TRPD kiosks and directional signs]
Hennepin County identifies county bicycle routes by posting Bike Route signs on the
shoulder of roads that serve as bike routes. County bicycle routes in St. Louis Park
include Cedar Lake Road from TH 169 to Zarthan Avenue and Minnetonka Boulevard
from TH 169 to TH 100.
[Insert photos of Hennepin County bike lane signage]
External Opportunities
Many of St. Louis Park’s neighboring cities are in the process of updating or creating
bicycle or pedestrian plans that may provide opportunities to link trails and sidewalk
systems. The City of Edina recently created the Bike Edina Taskforce and has hired a
consultant to prepare a comprehensive bike plan. Preliminary maps indicate that the
primary north/south routes proposed by the Bike Edina Taskforce will match the routes
recommended by this plan.
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The City of Minneapolis recently issued a request for proposals to prepare a city-wide
Pedestrian Master Plan to provide the City with clear priorities, tools and programs to
increase and improve walking in Minneapolis. This will provide the City of St. Louis
Park the opportunity to work closely with the City of Minneapolis to create seamless
pedestrian connections between the two cities.
The City of Plymouth and the City of Minnetonka are preparing to undertake or are
currently conducting trail and sidewalk planning studies. Findings from these reports will
be reviewed and integrated into this plan to provide efficient pedestrian and bicycle
connections between St. Louis Park and neighboring cities.
System Diagrams
St. Louis Park has many parks, public buildings, community gathering places, transit
stops and schools that are destinations for pedestrians and bicycle users. Isolating these
elements on a map provides useful insight about their proximity to sidewalks, bicycle
trails and public transit routes. The following diagrams assist in understanding the
existing conditions of pedestrian, bicycle and transportation infrastructure and how well
the system serves the many destinations within St. Louis Park.
[Insert schools diagram]
[Insert parks diagram]
[Insert transit diagram]
[Insert community gathering places diagram]
St. Louis Park developed rapidly following World War II. Approximately sixty percent of
the homes in St. Louis Park were built from the late 1940s to the early 1950s. At the time,
great efforts were made to pave streets and expand sewer and water systems to meet the
new housing demand. Sidewalks were constructed during the initial development, but the
system is incomplete and gaps remain today. Some streets have sidewalks on only one or
two lots while other areas of the city have well established north/south sidewalks but no
east/west sidewalks. Pedestrian access to schools, public buildings and parks can be
difficult because the sidewalk system does not facilitate safe and consistent pedestrian
connections. The following diagram identifies schematic major sidewalk routes, spaced
approximately ¼ mile apart.
[Insert conceptual sidewalk grid diagram]
In addition to the two regional trails in St. Louis Park, the City has a network of city trails
both in city parks and that create links between certain parks. City trails also create key
connections to the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the Cedar Lake LRT Regional
Trail. St. Louis Park is evaluating opportunities for on-street bicycle facilities. The
following diagram is a guide that identifies schematic bicycle routes, approximately
every ½ mile.
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[Insert conceptual bicycle grid diagram]
III. BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
St. Louis Park residents benefit from two significant regional trails, a network of
sidewalks that encompass a large portion of the city and city trails within an extensive
park system. This system can be improved and in doing so, St. Louis Park will become a
more livable community in which its residents can lead more active, healthy lives. Filling
in gaps in the sidewalk system, bridging barriers in the community like railroads and
highways, improving pedestrian crossings and providing places for bicycle parking will
improve the existing sidewalk and trail system in St. Louis Park.
The following goals for the bicycle and pedestrian systems in St. Louis Park incorporate
the goals from the 1999 plan, input from the Community Advisory Committee and the
public.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Goals
1. Develop an interconnected network of pedestrian and bicycle routes throughout the
city that is linked to transit systems in order to provide alternatives to automobile
travel for residents and workers in the community, including children, seniors and the
disabled.
2. Establish safe crossings of highways, arterial roads and rail corridors using innovative
traffic calming strategies, improved traffic control systems and, where possible, grade
separations.
3. Develop safe links to schools, commercial hubs, employment centers, institutions and
transit facilities.
4. Develop recreational pathways that link neighborhoods to parks and natural areas,
providing opportunities to improve the health and well-being of community residents
and workers.
5. Make connections to regional and recreational trails to link St. Louis Park to larger
metropolitan open space systems and destinations.
6. Create a cohesive, well-designed pedestrian system that includes a coordinated
approach for signs and orientation, standard designs for street crossings and
additional "user-friendly" amenities such as rest areas, information kiosks and
upgraded landscaping.
7. Incorporate strategies for short- and long-term funding of proposed improvements
and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian systems and transit stops.
8. Develop phasing strategies for implementation based on priorities, needs and
available resources.
Objectives
1. Construct additional sidewalks to fill gaps in city and neighborhood sidewalk
systems.
2. Use innovative designs to calm traffic and enhance streetscapes to make streets safer
and more pleasant for pedestrians.
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3. Develop a comprehensive sidewalk system within ¼-mile radius of schools to provide
children and families safe connections.
4. Develop a comprehensive sidewalk system within ¼-mile radius of community
gathering spaces to make walking to and from community gathering places pleasant,
safe and convenient.
5. Develop a comprehensive sidewalk system within ½-mile radius of all community
parks and facilities to make walking to and from parks, the Recreation Center and
community centers pleasant, safe and convenient.
6. Create neighborhood pedestrian sidewalk connections to major transit hubs, including
bus stops and future light rail transit stations.
7. Provide local sidewalk connections within ½-mile of major bus stops and future light
rail transit stations.
8. Provide tools for trail users to determine their present location and nearby points of
interest.
9. Reduce the number and severity of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in St. Louis Park.
10. Create inviting sidewalks, trails and transit stops.
11. Make all pedestrian bridges accessible for pedestrians and bicycles.
12. Provide comfortable, safe and accessible transit stops for pedestrians.
13. Establish a network of tree-lined streets with landscaped medians and boulevards that
are pedestrian and bicycle-friendly and calm traffic that connect between community
parks and/or urban villages.
14. Keep trails and sidewalks clear and safe for bicyclists and pedestrians year-round.
15. Create north/south trail(s) that connect with other local and regional trails.
16. Install bike racks and/or lockers at all public buildings, commercial buildings and
major transit stops.
17. Make regional trail connections to all neighborhoods that are adjacent to regional trail
corridors.
18. Educate bicycle riders and automobile drivers about their duties and responsibilities
while on the road.
19. Accommodate walking and bicycling in all planning efforts including public,
commercial and residential projects within the city.
20. Help residents get prepared for commuting and recreational bicycling.
Strategies
Sidewalks
• Fill gaps in sidewalk system, based on the conceptual sidewalk grid identified in the
analysis phase and prioritize additional sidewalk construction to provide connections
near schools, parks and community gathering places
• Install pedestrian-friendly street elements to sidewalks such as bump-outs, curb cuts,
bollards, banner poles, bicycle racks, trash receptacles and enhanced paving
• Add median and boulevard landscape plantings to create a safer and more pleasing
pedestrian environment
Trails
• Add mile markers to trails
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Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails
Report v.3
• Add directional signage along trails that point out the location of public buildings,
schools and parks
• Add distances for exercise routes (eg. 1.5 miles around Bass Lake)
• Install lighting on city trails located in parks such that the lights do not disrupt
neighbors
• Install blue safety phones on regional and local trails. Additional analysis is needed to
determine locations and feasibility
• Increase police patrols on city trails using bicycles and squad cars and on foot
• Manage trail-side vegetation to improve sightlines along trails
• Coordinate future independent trail planning with adjacent communities
[Insert Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan]
On-Street Bicycle Facilities
• Extend Hennepin County’s on-street bicycle routes east to Minneapolis along
Minnetonka Boulevard and east along Cedar Lake Road to the pedestrian bridge over
the North Cedar Lake Regional Trail
• Connect the city’s on-street bicycle routes with Hennepin County bicycle routes on
Minnetonka Boulevard and Cedar Lake Road
• Provide additional maintenance for roads with on-street bike lanes/routes (i.e. street
sweeping, snow removal on shoulders)
• Link on-street bicycle lanes in adjacent communities with bicycle lanes in St. Louis
Park
• Sign and stripe all city bicycle routes
[Insert proposed on-street bicycle facilities map]
Intersection Improvements
• Install pedestrian ramps, countdown timers and crosswalk markings at all controlled
intersections
• Make crossing times longer at controlled intersections
• Make crosswalks more visible
• Install audible crossing indicators. Additional analysis is needed to properly address
this feature
• Add signage at street crossings and at bridges to alert drivers to pedestrian zones
• Install grade-separated crossings, when feasible, at Beltline Road and Wooddale
Avenue Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail crossings
• Install advanced stop bars at Beltline Road and Wooddale Avenue Cedar Lake LRT
Regional Trail crossings
• Incorporate pedestrian facilities in future interchange developments at Highway 7 &
Wooddale Avenue and Highway 7 & Louisiana Avenue
There are fourteen intersections identified by the community as dangerous and/or with
multiple accidents (data collected between 2001 and 2006). The following matrix
Page 10G:\Community Development\Active Community Planning\Plan 2nd Draft\Active Living D
City of St. Louis Park Draft 10/05/07
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails
Report v.3
identifies existing pedestrian infrastructure at each intersection and recommended
improvements.
[Insert intersection improvement matrix]
Bridges
• Replace the stairs with an ADA accessible ramp on the pedestrian bridge over
Highway 100 at 41st Street West.
• Install a pedestrian bridge over the BNSF Railroad at Peter Hobart Elementary
School.
• Make pedestrian and bicycle access at the Excelsior Boulevard and Minnetonka
Boulevard bridges over Highway 100 safer by creating wider sidewalks and adding
bicycle lanes.
Future Bicycle and Pedestrian Opportunities
Several additional trail and design ideas have been raised in both the Vision St. Louis
Park process and the sidewalk and trails planning process. These proposals are very long-
term and may not come about in five, 10 or even 15 years. These “future” opportunities
deserve additional study and consideration. Possible future improvements include a new
north-south regional trail corridor along the CP Rail Line, a trail along Minnehaha Creek,
and possibly a network of “green” streets. Green streets provide innovative storm water
management techniques into their design, incorporate significant landscaping, cool the
traveled way by shading the street and accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. All these
projects would need a great deal of community support and/or investment, and may hinge
on events outside the City’s control.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Implementation
TBD
IV. TRANSIT PLAN
Transit Goals
1. Link the transit system to the pedestrian and bicycle networks in order to provide
alternatives to automobile travel for residents and workers in the community,
including children, seniors and the disabled.
2. Anticipate increases in the use of mass transit, including a multi-modal system
comprising buses, light rail, and local circulators.
3. Incorporate strategies for short- and long-term funding of proposed improvements
and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian systems and transit stops.
4. Develop phasing strategies for implementation based on priorities, needs and
available resources.
Transit Objectives
1. Create neighborhood pedestrian sidewalk and bicycle connections to major transit
hubs, including bus stops and future light rail transit stations.
2. Provide local sidewalk connections within ½-mile of major bus stops and future light
rail transit stations.
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City of St. Louis Park Draft 10/05/07
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails
Report v.3
3. Create inviting sidewalks, trails and transit stops.
4. Provide comfortable, safe and accessible transit stops for pedestrians along transit
lines that serve two or more bus routes.
Transit Strategies
• Install additional shelters at the following transit stops: Cedar Lake Road & Virginia
Avenue S, Cedar Lake Road & Louisiana Avenue S, Louisiana Avenue S & 18th
Street S., and Minnetonka Boulevard & Toledo Avenue S.
• Transit stops with shelters will be equipped with concrete pads both inside and
outside the shelter, at least one bench outside the shelter, curb cuts for access to the
stop, a trash receptacle and lighting under the shelter canopy.
• Transit stops with municipal or Metro Transit parking will be equipped with bicycle
racks and lockers, as well as the above listed items.
• Ensure that all public buildings including schools the Recreation Center, community
centers and City Hall, commercial buildings and major transit stops have an adequate
number of conveniently located bicycle racks (bicycle spaces equal to 10% of the
parking capacity for cars).
• Coordinate future independent trail planning with adjacent communities including the
desired north/south trail along the CP Rail line.
• Future light rail transit stations will have all the same amenities as transit stations
equipped with parking, as listed above.
Transit Integration
St. Louis Park is well served by Metro Transit bus service and is very well suited to
future light-rail train service. Access to transit and safe transit stops are important aspects
of the City’s plan to improve pedestrian mobility.
There are 33 transit stops in St. Louis Park that are equipped with shelters. The most
improved of these are the Metro Transit Park and Ride Station on Louisiana Avenue at I-
394. This station has ample parking, improved bus shelters, benches, trash receptacles,
newspaper racks, lighting, bicycle racks and lockers. Its configuration is such that buses
can load and unload passengers on the shoulder of the exit ramp. Other buses enter the
parking lot and have plenty of room to maneuver.
[Insert Transit Stop Improvements Matrix]
There are four locations along streets with multiple bus routes that are not equipped with
shelters. These include Cedar Lake Road & Virginia Avenue S, Cedar Lake Road &
Louisiana Avenue S, Louisiana Avenue S & 18th Street S., and Minnetonka Boulevard &
Toledo Avenue S.
Installing improvements at bus stops along major bus routes is a good way to provide
safety and shelter to mass-transit users. Improving bus stops may increase the number of
bus riders as well. Improvements may include:
• Shelter
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Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails
Report v.3
Page 13G:\Community Development\Active Community Planning\Plan 2nd Draft\Active Living D
• Concrete pad and/ or sidewalk
• Lighting
• Curb cuts
• Benches
• Trash receptacles
• Bicycle rack and/or lockers
• Automobile parking
[Insert image of Louisiana Ave transit station]
Future Transit Opportunities
The City of St. Louis Park and its residents are aware that a regional planning effort is
underway regarding light rail transit along the southwest light rail corridor, currently
occupied by the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail. Integrating future light rail transit
stations within the existing bicycle, pedestrian and transit system will provide residents of
St. Louis Park with effective and convenient alternative transportation opportunities.
Transit Implementation
TBD
VII. CONCLUSION
TBD
VIII. APPENDICES
TBD
City of St. Louis Park
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails DRAFT
Intersections Improvement Matrix
Intersections Identified by the Community as Dangerous and/or with Multiple Accidents
Intersection Stop LightCountdown TimerCrosswalksPedestrian RampsGrade-Separated XingInterchangeAdvanced Stop Bars1 Cedar Lake Road & Texas Ave XXX
2 Cedar Lake Road & Louisiana Ave XXXX
3 Louisiana Ave & W 27th St XXX
4 Louisiana Ave & W 28th St XXX
5 Minnetonka Boulevard & Dakota Ave S XXX
6 Hwy 7 & Ottawa Ave S XXXX*
7 Beltline Blvd & LRT Trail
8 Hwy 7 & Wooddale Ave XXXX
9 Wooddale Ave & LRT Trail
10 W 36th St & Woodale Ave S XXX
11 Hwy 7 & Louisiana Ave XXX
12 Texas Ave S & W 36th St W XXX
13 Hwy 7 & Texas Ave S XXXX
14 Excelsior Blvd & Yosemite Ave S (construction)------
* Pedestrian bridge opening in 2008
Proposed intersection improvement
Note: Priority should be given to installing countdown timers on all stop lights, city-wide.
SRF Consulting Group
#6016
City of St. Louis Park
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails DRAFT
Transit Stop Improvement Matrix
9/26/07
#Transit Stop Shelter Concrete Pad Curb Cut Outside Bench Trash Receptacle Lighting Bike Rack Bike Locker News Racks Municipal Parking Metro Transit Parking1 Wayzata Blvd & General Mills Blvd XX X X X
2 Wayzata Blvd & Louisiana Ave XXXXXXXX X
3 Wayzata Blvd & Park Place Blvd South XX X X
4 Park Place Blvd & Cedar Lake Road XXXX
5 Cedar Lake Road & Ridge Drive XX X
6 Cedar Lake Road & Flag Ave S XXXXX
7 Louisiana Ave & 27th St XX XX
8 Louisiana Ave & 28th St XX X
9 Louisiana Ave & Minnetonka Blvd XX XX
10 Minnetonka Blvd & Texas Ave S XX X
11 Minnetonka Blvd & Hampshire Ave S XXX X
12 Minnetonka Blvd & Colorado Ave S XXX X
13 Minnetonka Blvd & Hwy 100 XXX
14 Minnetonka Blvd & Raleigh Ave S XXX X
15 Minnetonka Blvd & Princeton Ave S XXX X
16 Minnetonka Blvd & Lynn Ave S XXX X
17 Minnetonka Blvd & Glenwood Ave S XXXX X
18 Lake Street W & Wooddale Ave XX X
19 36th Street W & Aquila Ave S XX X
20 36th Street W north of Knollwood Mall XX X X
21 37th Street W at Bremer Bank lot XXX
22 Excelsior Blvd & Meadowbrook Blvd X*X
23 Excelsior Blvd & Louisiana Ave S X*X
24 Excelsior Blvd @ Methodist Hospital North XX X
25 Excelsior Blvd @ Methodist Hospital South X
26 Excelsior Blvd & Brookside Ave S (construction)----------
27 Excelsior Blvd & Wooddale Ave S X XXX X
28 Excelsior Blvd & Quentin Ave S X XXX X
29 Excelsior Blvd & Grand Ave S XXXX
30 Excelsior Blvd & Monterey Drive X XXX X
31 Excelsior Blvd & Joppa Ave S XXXXX X
32 Excelsior Blvd & Glenhurst Ave S X XXX X
33 Methodist Hospital parking lot (construction)----------
* Concrete pad outside is inadequate
Proposed shelter improvement
Proposed Transit Stop Shelter Locations
A Louisiana Ave & 18th St S X X X X X
B Cedar Lake Road & Louisiana Ave X X X X X
C Cedar Lake Road & Viginia Ave S X X X X X
D Minnetonka Blvd & Toledo Ave S X X X X X
E Beltline LRT Station X X X X X X X X
F Wooddale LRT Station X X X X X X X X
G Louisiana Ave LRT Station X X X X X X X X
SRF Consulting Group
#6016
City of St. Louis Park
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails DRAFT
Implementation and Priorities Matrix
SIDEWALKS
Street Segment Side School Park CGC Transit
Priority 1
Texas Ave S Wayzata Blvd to Cedar Lake Road W X X
36th St W Quebec Ave S to Walker St S X X
Louisiana Ave S 14th St W to Cedar Lake Road E X X
31st St W Texas Ave S to Dakota Ave S N X X X
Quebec Ave S 31st St W to Oak Hill Park W X X
33rd St W Aquila Ave S to Rhode Island Ave S S X X
Georgia Ave S Minnetonka Blvd to 31st St W E X X
Jersey Ave S South from Minnetonka Blvd (partial block) W/E X X
31st St W Dakota Ave S to Colorado Ave S S X X
Zarthan Ave S South of Minnetonka Blvd to Lake St W W X X
28th St W Zarthan Ave S to Webster Ave e N X X
Zarthan Ave S 33rd St W to Hamilton St W X X
Hamilton St Alabama Ave S to Zarthan Ave S S X X
36 1/2 St W Monterey Dr to Excelsior Blvd N X X X
39th St W Natchez Ave S to Inglewood Ave S S X X X
Natchez Ave S 39th St W to 41st St W W X X X
Quentin Ave S Excelsior Blvd to 40th St W W X X X
Wooddale Ave S Excelsior Blvd to Vernon Ave S W X X
41st St W Utica Ave S to Wooddale Ave S S X X
Browndale Ave Wooddale Ave S to Morningside Rd W X X
Beltline Blvd Highway 7 to 36th St W W X X
Wooddale Ave S 35th St W to Highway 7 E X X
36th St W Aquila Ave S to Wyoming Ave S S X X
Aquila Ln North from Cavell Ln (partial block) E X X
Louisiana Ave S Minnehaha Creek to Excelsior Blvd W X X
Priority 2
Wayzata Blvd TH 169 to Flag Ave S S
14th St W Wayzata Blvd to Flag Ave S W X
Hillsboro Ave S 14th St W to W Franklin Ave W X
W 18th St Hillsboro Ave S to Flag Ave S S X
Flag Ave S W 18th St to W Franklin Ave W X
Westmoreland Ln/Franklin Ave W 14th St to Westwood Nature Center N X
Franklin Ave W Hampshire Ave to Cedar Lake Rd S
Zarthan Ave S 16th St W to Cedar Lake Rd W X
Cedar Lake Rd 16th St W east (partial block)S X
Edgewood Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to BNSF Railroad tracks E
Quentin Ave S Douglas Ave to Cedar Lake Rd E X
Cedar Lake Rd Quentin Ave S to Pedestrian Bridge S
Cedar Lake Rd Pedestrian Bridge to France Ave S S
France Ave S W 22nd St to Cedar Lake Ave W
Basswood Rd Monterey Ave S to France Ave S N
25 1/2 St W TH 100 to W 26th St S
Quentin Ave S North from 28th St W (partial block)E X
Raleigh Ave S Minnetonka Blvd to 27th St W W/E X
25th St W W 26th St to Sumter Ave S W
Sumter Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to 25th St W N
W 26th St Virginia Ave S to W 2th St N
Virgina Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to 28th St W W
28th St W Virginia Ave St to Texas Ave S S X
Maryland Ave S South from Minntonka Blvd (partial block) W/E X
Jordan Ave Cedar Lake Rd to W 28th St E X
W 28th St Jordan Ave east to end of street N X
Cavell Ave S South to Minnetonka Blvd E X
Minnetonka Blvd Th 169 to Aquila Ln S X
Aquila Ln Flag Ave S to Cavell Ln S X
Flag Ave S Aquila Ln to Minnehaha Circle S E X
Pennsylvania Ave S 16th St W to Cedar Lake Road E X
Louisiana Ave S Lake St W to Oxford St W X
Morningside Rd Mackey Ave S to Browndale Ave S X
39th St W Inglewood Ave S to France Ave S S X
Browndale Ave S 43rd 1/2 St north (partial block)W
Brookside Ave S 42nd St W to Yosemite Ave E X
Aquila Ln South from Minnetonka Blvd (partial block) E X
Excelsior Blvd Meadowbrook Rd to Minnehaha Creek S X
SRF Consulting Group
#6016
City of St. Louis Park
Active Living: Sidewalks and Trails DRAFT
Implementation and Priorities Matrix
TRAILS
Street Segment Side School Park CGC Transit
Priority 1
Louisiana Ave S 32nd St W to Walker St X X X
Priority 2
Parkwoods Rd (Benilde School) TH 100 to 25th St W
Toledo Ave S 27th St W to Minnetonka Blvd X
TH 7 Frontage Rd Salem Ave S to Raleigh Ave S X
SRF Consulting Group
#6016
City of St. Louis Park
Active Living- Sidewalks and Trails DRAFT
Implementation and Priorities Matrix
ON-STREET BIKES
Street Segment School Park CGC Transit
Priority 1
Flag Ave S W 24th St to Cedar Lake Rd X X
Franklin Ave W Westwood Nature Ctr to Texas Ave S X X
Texas Ave S Wayzata Blvd to Cedar Lake Road X X
Wayzata Blvd Texas Ave S to Louisiana Ave S X X
Louisiana Ave S Wayzata Blvd S to Cedar Lake Rd X X
Beltline Blvd CSAH 25 to 36th St W X X
28th St W Virginia Ave S to Zarthan Ave S X X
Dakota Ave S 26th Ave S to Wooddale Ave S X X
28th St W Yosemite Ave S to Webster Ave S X X
Webster Ave S 28th St W to 27th St W X X
27th St W Webster Ave S to Utica Ave S X X
Utica Ave S 27th St W to Pedestrian Bridge X X
Louisiana Ave S 27th St W to Highway 7 X X X
Texas Ave S 28th St W to Highway 7 X X X X
Aquila Ln Minnetonka Blvd to Cavell Ln X X
33rd St W Virginia Ave S to Rhode Island Ave S X X X
33rd St W Louisiana Ave S to Dakota Ave S X X X
36th St W / Walker St Aquila Ave S to Lake St W X X X X
Lake St W Walker St to Minnetonka Blvd X X
Wooddale Ave Dakota Ave S to 36th St W X X
36th St W Wooddale Ave S to Monterey Dr X X X
Monterey Dr 36th St W to Excelsior Blvd X X X
Kipling Ave S 38th St W to 39th St W X X X
39th St W Kipling Ave S to Kensington Ave S X X X
Quentin Ave S Excelsior Blvd to Morningside Rd X X
Priority 2
Shelard Pkwy Betty Crocker Dr to Wayzata Blvd
Wayzata Blvd Ford Rd to 14th St W
Ford Rd Runnymeade Ln to Crestridge Dr
14th St W Wayzata Blvd to Hillsboro Ave S
Hillsboro Ave S 14th St W to 18th St W X
18th St W Hillsboro Ave S to Flag Ave S X
Flag Ave S 18th St W to 24th St W X
Westmoreland Ln 14th St W to Westwood Nature Ctr X
Wayzata Blvd Louisiana Ave S to Zarthan Ave S X
Hampshire Ave S Franklin Ave S to Cedar Lake Rd
Edgewood Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to BNSF Railroad
Louisiana Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to 27th St W X
Zarthan Ave S Wayzata Blvd to Cedar Lake Rd X
Cedar Lake Rd Zarthan Ave S to Pedestrian Bridge X
Quentin Ave S Douglas Ave to Cedar Lake Rd X
Cedar Lake Rd Pedestrian Bridge to France Ave S
France Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to Minnetonka Blvd
26th St W Toldedo Ave S to France Ave S
25 1/2 St W Hwy 100 to 26th St W
Quentin Ave S 26th St W to 28th St W X
28th St W Quentin Ave S to Ottawa Ave S X
Ottawa Ave S 28th St W to Minntonka Blvd X
Minntonka Blvd Hwy 100 to France Ave S X
Franklin Ave W Pennsylvania Ave S to Louisiana Ave S X
France Ave S Randall Ave to 40th St W X
38th St W Inglewood Ave S to France Ave S X
39th St W Huntington Ave S to France Ave S X
Quentin Ave S Excelsior Blvd to Morningside Rd
Brookside Ave S 41st St W to Yosemite Ave S X
Alabama Ave S 36th St W to 41st St W X
41st St W Brookside Ave S to Yosemite Ave S X
Yosemite Ave S Excelsior Blvd to 41st W X
Louisiana Ave S Highway 7 to Excelsior Blvd X
36th St W TH 169 to Aquila Ave S X
34th St W Aquila Ln to Aquila Ave S X
Aquila Ln Hillsboro Ave S to Cavell Ln X
Virginia Ave S Cedar Lake Rd to 28th St W
26th St W Edgewood Ave S to Dakota Ave S X
SRF Consulting Group
#6016
Introduction Draft Oct. 6, 2007
St. Louis Park has a connected network of safe sidewalks and trails that con-
nect with present and future modes of mass transit and which overcomes ob-
stacles to bicycle and pedestrian commuting so that the City’s residents are
empowered to move about the city and are more fit and active day to day.
VISION
Health & Safety
Active Living
Environment
Protect and Enhance Existing Resources
Connectivity
Physical Network:
Schools, Parks, Community Gathering Centers, Etc.
Infrastructure:
Sidewalks, Trails, Bridges, Roads, Etc.
Transit:
Multi-modal, Bus, LRT, Local Connectors
Recreation
Rec Center
Play Fields
Parks
Accessibility
Provide for a diverse group of users
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
VALUES
Evaluate the existing conditions of the pedestrian, bicycle and transit systems.
Analyze the existing system to determine potential improvements to the
system.
Make recommendations to improve the bicycle, pedestrian and transit systems
in St. Louis Park.
Prioritize recommendations, including guidelines for phased implementation,
and tracking progress.
•
•
•
•
PROJECT PURPOSE
Project Goals Draft Oct. 6, 2007
1. Develop an interconnected network of pedestrian and bicycle
routes throughout the city that is linked to transit systems in order
to provide alternatives to automobile travel for residents and work-
ers in the community, including children, seniors and the disabled.
2. Establish safe crossings of highways, arterial roads and rail
corridors using innovative traffic calming strategies, improved
traffic control systems and, where possible, grade separations.
3. Develop safe links to schools, commercial hubs, employment
centers, institutions and transit facilities.
4. Develop recreational pathways that link neighborhoods to parks
and natural areas, providing opportunities to improve the health
and well-being of community residents and workers.
5. Make connections to regional and recreational trails to link St.
Louis Park to larger metropolitan open space systems and
destinations.
6. Create a cohesive, well-designed pedestrian system that includes
a coordinated approach for signs and orientation, standard de-
signs for street crossings and additional “user-friendly” amenities
such as rest areas, information kiosks and upgraded landscaping.
7. Incorporate strategies for short- and long-term funding of proposed
improvements and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian systems
and transit stops.
8. Develop phasing strategies for implementation based on priorities,
needs and available resources.
PROJECT GOALS
Bicycle & Pedestrian Goals
1. Link the transit system to the pedestrian and bicycle networks
in order to provide alternatives to automobile travel for residents
and workers in the community, including children, seniors and the
disabled.
2. Anticipate increases in the use of mass transit, including a multi-
modal system comprising buses, light rail, and local circulators.
3. Incorporate strategies for short- and long-term funding of proposed
improvements and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian systems
and transit stops.
4. Develop phasing strategies for implementation based on priorities,
needs and available resources.
Transit Goals
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Progress Since 1999 Plan
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
Sidewalk Improvement
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Trail Improvement
New Pedestrian Bridge
City Boundary
Intersection Improvement
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007Regional Context- Trails
2 MILES10
Scale:
North
St. Louis Park
Golden Valley
Plymouth
Minnetonka
Hopkins
Edina
Eden Prairie
Minneapolis
Lake
Calhoun
Lake
Harriet
Lake
of the Isles
Cedar
Lake
Legend
Potential Off-Road Bicycle Trail
Existing On-Road Bicycle Trail
Existing Off-Road Bicycle Trail
Railroad
County or City Park
Lake/Stream
Highway
City Boundary
Roadway
GoldenValleyMinnetonkaHopkinsMinneapolisEdinaDraft August 6, 2007Adjacent ConnectionsLegendCity TrailRoad CenterlineRailroadCity ParkLake/StreamBridgeRegional TrailCounty Bike LaneOn-Street Bike FacilityProposed On-StreetBike FacilityProposed RegionalTrail4,000 FEET2,0000Scale:North
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Existing Sidewalks & Trails
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Existing Conditions
Legend
Existing Sidewalk
City Trail
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Regional Trail
On-Road County Bike Lane
City Boundary
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Existing Bus Route & Shelter Map
1 2
3
45
6 7
8
910 11 12 13 14
15 16 17
18
19
20
21
22 23 24/25
27
28 29 30
31
32
33
26
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(
!(!(!(!(
!(!(!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
(Number of Bus Routes)
1 line
2 lines
3+ lines
Sheltered Stop
Transit Routes Legend:
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
City Boundary
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Intersection Safety Analysis-Draft
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Single Accident*
Controlled Intersection- 2 or More Accidents*
Controlled Intersection-
Single Accident*
Deficient Ped Bridge
*Crash Data (2001-2006)
Community Identified
Problem Intersection
2 or More Accidents*
City Boundary
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
1/2 Mile Radius
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Junior High
School
Cedar Manor
School
Peter Hobart
School
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
School
JCC
Talmud Torah School
& Jewish Day School
Torah
Academy
Groves
Academy
Senior High
School
Park Spanish
Immersion
Susan
Lindgren
School
Most Holy
Trinity School
Whole Learning
School
Church of the
Holy Family
Aquila
School
Metropolitan
Open School
1/4 Mile Radius
1/2 Mile Radius
Current Walk Zone
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
1/2 Mile Radius
1/4 Mile Radius
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Texa-Tonka
Knollwood
Mall
Excelsior
& Grand
Hoigaard
Village
Duke
Site
1/4 Mile Radius
Walking Distance to Transit Stops Walking Distance to Parks
1/4 Mile Conceptual Sidewalk Grid
(Goal grid system to link destinations)
1/2 Mile Conceptual Bicycle Grid
(Goal grid system to link destinations)
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Conceptual 1/4
Mile Grid
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Conceptual 1/2
Mile Grid
Analysis Diagrams Draft Oct. 6, 2007
Walking Distance to Schools Walking Distance to Community
Gathering Centers
10 Minute Walk
10 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk
10 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk
Draft Oct. 5, 2007Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan-Draft
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
Existing Sidewalk
City Trail
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Proposed Sidewalk
Regional Trail
Proposed City Trail
City Boundary
Proposed Regional Trail
Proposed Improvement at
Community Identified Intersection
Proposed Improvement at
Controlled Intersection
Proposed Improvement atNon-Controlled Intersection
Proposed Bridge / Improvement
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Proposed On-Street Bicycle Facilities
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
County Bike Lane
City Trail
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Proposed City Bike Facility
Regional Trail
Proposed City Trail
City Boundary
Proposed Regional Trail
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Proposed Bus, Transit & Shelter Map
1 2
3
45
6 7
8
910 11 12 13 14
15 16 17
18
19
20
21
22 23 24/25
27
28 29 30
31
32
33
26
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(
!(!(!(!(
!(!(!(!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
(Number of Bus Routes)
1 line
2 lines
3+ lines
Sheltered Stop
Transit Routes Legend:
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
City Boundary
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
D
Proposed Shelter
B
E
F
G
Proposed LRT Station
C
A
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007
Proposed Intersection Improvements-Draft
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Proposed Improvement
at Non-Controlled Intersection
City Boundary
Proposed Improvementat Controlled Intersection
Proposed Improvement
at Community IdentifiedIntersection
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9
101112
13
14
Golden Valley
MinnetonkaHopkins
Edina MinneapolisHighway 100Louisiana AvenueTexas AvenueCedar
L
a
k
e
R
o
a
d
I-394
BNSF R ail roa dCP RailroadMinnetonka Boulevard
Highway 7
Exc elsior
B
o
ul
e
v
a
r
d
TC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
CP RailroadTC&W Rail
r
o
a
d
Highway 100CR 25TH 169Texas AvenueHighway 100Minneapolis Golf Club
Westwood Hills Nature Center
Louisiana
Oaks Park
Oak Hill
Park
Bass Lake
Preserve
Rec Center/
Wolfe Park
Aquila
Park
Minnehaha Creek
Texa-Tonka
Park
Cedar
Knoll
Park
Rotary
Park
Nelson
Park
Dakota
Park
Birchwood
Park
Hampshire
ParkJersey
Park
Pennsylvania
Park
Lamplighter
Park
Willow
Park
Ainsworth
Park
Bronx
Park
Keystone
ParkRoxbury
Park
Twin
Lakes
Park
Fern Hill
Park
Carpenter
Park
Browndale
ParkMeadowbrook
Openspace
Minnikahda
Vista
Park
Draft Oct. 5, 2007Implementation & Priorities-Draft
4,000 FEET2,0000
Scale:
North
Legend
Existing Sidewalk
City Trail
Road Centerline
Railroad
City Park
Lake/Stream
Bridge
Priority 1 Sidewalk
Regional Trail
Priority 2 Sidewalk
City Boundary
Priority 1 Trail
Priority 1 Intersection Improvement
Priority 1 Bridge / Improvement
Priority 2 Trail
Priority 2 Intersection Improvement
Priority 1 On-Road Bike Facility
Priority 2 On-Road Bike Facility
Next Steps Draft Oct. 6, 2007
Walking Distance to Schools
City Council presentation - October 15
Open House - October 24
Final Draft
Final CAC meeting- November 14
City Council approval - TBD
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NEXT STEPS