lansing river trail study, msu extension
DESCRIPTION
This project was done to assist the Ingham County Health Department in their assessment of the Lansing River Trail. My job consisted of collecting data about trail users through surveys and interviews. Data collected was collected and presented for use by trail management and to increase trail use.TRANSCRIPT
Lansing River TrailSOPARC Evaluation Results
Pictures From: lansingrivertrail.org
Au
reliu
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Jolly Rd
Ottawa St
Allegan St
Saint Joseph St
Willow St
E Grand River Ave
W Saginaw St
E Michigan Ave
W Kalamazoo St
Hazel St
W Holmes Rd
Was
hing
ton
Ave
Ma
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Lu
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JrB
lvd
Ce
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syl
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pito
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Walsh St
W Kalamazoo St
W Ionia St
W Gennessee St
Perkins St
E Main St
Baker St
Lyo
ns
Av
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Lindbe
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SW
aln
ut
St
SG
ran
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Riley St
Tisdale Ave
Greenlawn Ave
Isbell St
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ysi
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Ave
De
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Ave
Maplehill Ave
So
uth
ga
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Sta
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Lo
wcr
oft
Ave
Be
alA
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Mount Hope Ave
E Cavanaugh Rd
Moores River Dr
Willard Ave
Rex St
Sto
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Forest Rd
Paris Ave
Fo
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Marcus St
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Woodruff Ave
Hopkins Ave
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Mount Hope Ave
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Grand River Ave
SW
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Otto
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Grand River Ave
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Daleford St
Elm St
Elizabeth St
Marcus St
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Clif
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Irvington St
E Shiawassee St
Wild
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Willard St
Ma
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Narraganset Dr
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W Barnes Ave
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W Oakland Ave
W Saginaw St
WashingtonPark
Cavanaugh Park
Dietrich ParkDodge Park
BurchardPark
AdadoRiverfront
Park
DurantPark
WentworthPark
KalamazooPlaza
CherryHill
OakPark
Cooley Gardens
Scott Park
RiverpointPark
Elm Park
Moores Park
Potter Park Zoo
ShubelPark
SycamorePark
Irving Park
Crego Park
Fenner NatureCenter
Scott WoodsPark
HawkIslandCounty
Park
MaguirePark
MunnPark
HunterPark
FairviewPark
RanneyPark
KimberlyPark
PoxsonPark
Marshall Park
Park
BancroftPark
Soldans Dog Park
SycamoreGolf
Academy and
DrivingRange
MountHope
Cemetery EvergreenCemetery
Ferris Park
OrmondPark
ForestViewPark
LyonsPark
KendonPark
RegentPark
KircherPark
Red CedarPark
ComstockPark
BluebellPark
GroesbeckGolf Course
Clifford Park
Walsh Park
FosterPark
EverettPark
ReutterPark
GlenEdenPark
TammanyPark
CaesarDonora
Park
FosterCommunity
Center
GreencroftPark
StablerPark
Trager Park
Barb DeanTot Lot
Reola Park
LarchPark
WaldoPark
Edmore Park
TurnerMiniPark
496
127
127
Cooley LawSchool Stadium
LansingCenter
State CapitolBuilding
FidelityLake
Impression 5Science Center
RE OldsTransportation
Museum
0 0.50.25Miles
Parking Areas
Drinking Fountain
Restroom
Lansing River Trail
Hawk Island Trail
Quarter Mile Marker
On-road Bike Lane
Recreation Facilities
Legend
City of LansingVirg Bernero, Mayor
River trail back.qxd 8/9/10 9:54 AM Page 1
The SOPARC EvaluationPurpose
The Building Healthy Communities program is a project with a goal of helping implement policy and environmental strategies to help improve health in local communities. The trail evaluation is used to help obtain information about trail usage, demographics and physical activity. This information can then be used to assess the needs of trail users. It also helps with local initiatives to increase physical activity and use of trails with a goal to better health.
Through the healthy communities initiative The Ingham County Health Department and Parks Department installed 18 bike racks along the Lansing River Trail. This study was also used to gather information to support the effectiveness of bike racks on the trail.
The SOPARC EvaluationResults
44
Trail use by Activity
The results are gathered from 1289 observations taken from trail locations near Impression 5 and the Lansing City Market. These were taken during Fall 2011 and Spring 1212 of individuals using the trail during four times during the day. More in depth data was gathered through a trail intercept survey.
Age Distribution
The average age of a trail user on the Lansing River Trail
Use By Gender
Trail use is predominantly walkers while the main purpose of the trail is for some sort of physical activity.
Safety First
One in six trail users wear a helmet
Time of Day of Trail UseTrail Use By Ethnicity
52%
27%
15%
5%
1%
8%
40%29%
20%
59%41%
75%
11%
3%5%
White
Black
OtherLatino
10% 9%
68%
12%
The SOPARC EvaluationResults
Knowing about the Trail
While some people find out about the trail from other sources most
individuals heard from word of mouth or have known about the trail for so
long they are not able to recall Whose Going with Who
Why The Lansing River Trail
The study found that those who frequent the trail do so because of its scenery as well as offering a free place
for recreation and activity.
Most people come to the trail with family followed by those who visit the
trail alone and with there friends
Where are trail users coming from?
The Majority of trail users either come from home or visit on a work break.
Time Well Spent
29% 34% 22%
3days
Average number of days a trail user visits the trail per week
27%
9% 6%
16%
22%13%
1-2 Hours
> 2 Hours <15 Minutes
15 - 30 Min.
30 - 45 Min.45 - 60 Min.