Santa Clara River Trail Final Master Plan - Development Services ...

Chapter 6: Design Guidelines, Maintenance Schedules and Best Practices
Safety and Maintenance Recommendations
Trail Safety
Trail safety is a major concern of both trail users and those whose property is adjacent to the trail.
Creating a safe trail environment goes beyond design and law enforcement, and should involve the entire
community. The most effective and most visible deterrent to illegal activity on the Santa Clara River Trail
will be the presence of legitimate trail users. Getting as many “eyes on the corridor” as possible is a key
deterrent to undesirable activity in the Santa Clara River corridor. There are several components to
accomplishing this, as outlined below:
Provide Good Access to the Trail
Access ranges from providing conveniently located trailheads along the trail, to encouraging the
construction of sidewalks to accommodate access from private developments adjacent to the trail. Access
points should be inviting and signed so as to welcome the public onto the trail.
Good Visibility from Adjacent Neighbors
Neighbors adjacent to the trail can potentially provide 24-hour surveillance of the trail and can become
an ally to the City’s police department. Though some screening and setback of the trail may be needed for
privacy of adjacent neighbors, complete blocking of the trail from neighborhood view should be
discouraged. This eliminates the potential of neighbors’ “eyes on the trail,” and could result in a “tunnel
effect” for trail users.
Police Call Box
Police call boxes should be provided in the longer segments of the trail that have few public access
points. The call boxes should be solar powered to minimize energy consumption.
Surveillance Cameras/ CCTV Conduit
CCTV conduit should be installed in sensitive areas. This would allow the option of installing
surveillance cameras if/when problems arise.
High Level of Maintenance
A well maintained trail sends a message that the community cares about the public space. This message
alone will discourage undesirable activity along the trail.
Programmed Events
Community events along the Santa Clara River Trail will help increase public awareness and thereby
attract more people to use the trail. Various civic organizations can help organize public events along the
trail which will increase support for the trail. Events might include a day-long trail clean-up or a series of
short interpretive walks led by long-time residents or a naturalist.
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