Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Department

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
CC:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager Ernie Shaw, Interim Director, Parks & Recreation
FROM:	Mark Hecker, Assistant Director, Parks and Recreation
DATE:	October 8, 2015
RE:	Burcham Park River Trail

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, the City Commission approved the attached change order request for the Burcham River Trail surface. At the Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 City Commission meeting, during public comment, three (3) members of the public requested that the City Commissions take a second look at the decision to install concrete on the entire trail.  

Listed below is additional information for consideration:

· The original trail was to be constructed with 1200 lineal feet of concrete and 2200 lineal feet of asphalt milling. The asphalt millings were to be used as a trail delineator until future funding was available to concrete the entire trail.

· Concrete is the recommended surfacing option on of this trail because it is being built in a flood prone area. When flood waters go down, sediment can be easily removed from shelters, parking, sidewalks and trails made of concrete with a blade and broom.  If a trail were made of asphalt millings, it would need to be replaced or resurfaced after every flood event.

· With concrete surfacing, this trail could be part of a bigger trail concept that could loop the City in the future. The attached concept map details three segments of this proposed loop that are currently under construction.

· The Parks and Recreation Department manages and maintains more than 4000 acres of public land and parks for Lawrence residence to enjoy; we are very sensitive to environmental issues in the management of these properties.

o The clearing of trees for this project targeted dead or nearly dead trees along the river, as well as relocated dead trees that had fallen near the river bank. The only live plant material cleared was smaller understory plants.

o Once the trail construction is complete, Parks and Recreation staff will work with local Boy Scout troops to replant 100’s of native trees and understory plants in the disturbed area along the trail. Grasses will also be established in all disturbed areas as the primary ground cover. The goal is to establish more trees and plant materials in this area than were removed. This is especially important for the long-term health of this area as many of the older trees will continue to decline in health and die over the next 15-20 years. (Traditionally, one or two of these big trees are removed every year due to lightning strikes, beaver damage or old age).

· Erosion - The project includes money for installation of rip-rap along sections of the river bank that may erode near the trail. Matt Bond, the City’s Storm Water Engineer, has walked the entire trail and has made recommendations on erosion control measures in two small areas. Note: The Friends of the Kaw group has committed $4200 of funding for erosion control on this project.

· Project Time-line – The project that was approved is currently on course to be completed by late November or early December. The approved grant funding of $49,775 is available through the end of December. 

Staff believes that all concerns are manageable, and this project can proceed as planned with future cooperation of all interested parties. 

Action Requested

Direct staff as needed on the Burcham River Trail project.