walking distance

Since people can not travel as the crow flies, the walking radius is not an effective measure of access.

The highlighted streets show the actual ½ mile walking distance when the effects of: curvilinear streets; dead ends; and border streets are considered.

walking distance

The same is true for this park.

walking distance

The spidery streets radiating from Smith Park, shows how the more grid-like pattern of the older parts of the city can provide superior access within ½ mile walking distance.

The same is of course true for schools and civic locations.

open space - access

The absolute number and acreage of trails and open space has increased due to the greater number of PRDs developed.

However it is important to note that these are privately owned trails, and do not connect to, or are part of a trail network.

Additionally, often these spaces are not centrally located, or are fragmented, limiting their potential as assets for the neighborhood.

ends - parks

This type of design has a street ended at a public facility – in this case a park.

ends - through & park

This design provides access to the park with a non-street connection from the cul-de-sac. The park also has street frontage on the other side.

Such connections provide options and greater efficiency for people on bike and foot; which in turn makes non-vehicle transportation choices more viable.

If desired by the Commission, design standards for both parks and street ends could be developed to promote this kind of beneficial design.

ends - through

Here a through connection is provided to support residents not traveling by car.

Would the Commission like to see these kinds of transportation options included in the design regulations for plats?

connections

Staff have been able to require applicants to incorporate transit stops along major streets.

SEPA and traffic reports have been used to require these.

Improved Code could increase connectivity between these facilities and walkways, and improve their effectiveness, especially for those most dependant upon these transportation options, youth and seniors.

connections - short cut

The same is true for this example where a “short cut” is provided where people would otherwise have to travel a much greater distance, along a route more appropriate for vehicles.

access design

This photo show a pedestrian access design that takes into account a number of important aspects that make it function well: sight lines and visual access to the path; landscape improvements; overall width, and location.

access design

Narrower pedestrian connections do not achieve the same level of design by limiting visual access and creating a confined feeling.
Attention to this kind of detail is outside of the current Code.
Staff would like to explore developing standards for these and other pedestrian connections and trails.