Priority No. 1: Increase the Number of Active Community Environments:

Recommendations Urban planning approaches that promote physical activity. Plan and fund a network of streets, pathways, parks & trails that support walking & biking within and between Marysville neighborhoods, city centers, schools, and senior centers.

Successes

The Marysville Comprehensive Plan now includes a non-motorized transportation component within the Transportation Element to address current and future pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Since 2008, 8.2 miles of signed bike lanes have been added around Marysville, with a total of 15 miles. Bike lanes have been installed to complement existing Community Transit bus routes.

The City welcomed nationally-renowned Walking Guru Dan Burden to conduct a walking audit of Marysville in fall 2008, with recommendations generated to make streets more walkable and bikeable.

Actions
• Share action plan with Planning Commission, City & County Law enforcement, Marysville School District, Marysville City Council and other designated groups.
• Request Park Advisory Board to establish a Bike/Walking/Trails/Parks Advisory Group that will provide input into the planning processes involving increasing/improving the number of walking/biking routes, trails and parks.

• Establish a Biking/Walking/Trails Advisory Group made up of professional and community members, including City and County Council Traffic Advisory Committees, Community Transit, City and County Development/Planning Division.
• Research and identify best practices and strategies for a neighborhood non-motorized transportation demonstration project, including Action Plan recommendations for walking/biking improvement.
• Evaluate and adopt a solid funding strategy for the development & maintenance of bicycle, pedestrian, and trail facilities. Strategies may include a percentage of transportation and utility funds, future bond options, possible percentage of real estate excise taxes, and a dedicated growth fund.
• Forward future short range and long range plans to engineering for inclusion in non-motorized element of the Transportation Improvement Program.
• Identify criteria for selection of neighborhoods for demonstration project
• Implement biking/walking/trails “best practice” strategies in designated neighborhood.
• Implement Crime Prevention through Environmental Design recommendations focused on increased lighting in community parks and on neighborhood trails.
• Explore formation of “Healthy Communities Zones” with informational kiosks and connecting paths.
• Support developing neighborhood identities by relationship with elementary schools or know neighborhood plats i.e., Parkside Way, Northpointe, Bayview Ridge, etc.
• Produce a neighborhood/city biking/walking/trail guide.
• Evaluate interventions and adopt key recommendations.

Partners

Planning Commission, Law enforcement, Marysville School District, Service clubs, Businesses, City Council representatives, Scouting groups, City and county planners, Community members.

Short Term Measures
• Action plan shared with identified partners.
• Formal request made to Park Advisory Board to recommend the formation of a Bike/Walking/Trails Advisory Group.
• A Biking/Walking/Trails Advisory Group was established.
• Best practices selected for non-motorized transportation project.
• Funding strategy established for establishment and maintenance of bicycle, pedestrian and trail facilities.
• Biking/Walking/Trail improvements included in the non-motorized element of the Transportation Improvement Program.
• Criteria for demonstration project site selected.
• Selected best practice strategies implemented in demonstration project.
• Increased lighting in designated parks and trails.
• Decision made on feasibility of “Healthy Communities Zones.” If feasible, planning for development of pilot zones in progress.
• Biking/walking/trail guide produced and distributed.
• Evaluation of projects completed and key recommendations adopted.

Long Term Measures
• Biking/Walking/Trail Advisory Group meets regularly.
• Solid long-term funding plan in place and providing sufficient funding for bicycle, pedestrian and trails development and maintenance.
• Neighborhood demonstration project implemented in several Marysville locations.
• Increased physical activity in Marysville residents.

Healthy Communities Home | Active Environments | Healthy Foods | Recreational Opportunities | Contact Us | Volunteer | In the News