Over the past several months – including this Thursday at 4:45 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers -- the Milton Trails Advisory Committee has been hard at work suggesting revisions, upgrades, and then some to the City Trail Blueprint.

 

Which prompts the question: What exactly is a Trail Blueprint?

 

Well, like the blueprint for a building, it shows – in detail – where things should go so that the whole package looks good, functions perfectly, and comes together seamlessly. The difference is that, instead of the placement of walls, doors, windows, appliances, sinks, and the like, it lays out the location and connectivity of trails.

 

Importantly, in this case, “trails” aren’t just paths through a natural park (though those certainly qualify). They also include sidewalks and multiuse paths, which are wider and can accommodate more such as walkers and bicycles. And they can be made of different things. A “trail” in a commercial area is more likely to be concrete (and potentially wide enough to accommodate PTVs); in more rural areas, you might more likely find a gravel or asphalt trail.

 

Basically, a “trail” is connection between points that’s outside the actual roadway itself where someone can walk, run, bike, even potentially ride a horse.

 

And the Milton Trails Advisory Committee has been charged with looking at the existing network of “trails” in the city, then sharing recommendations on how it might be improved. This might involve filling “sidewalk gaps,” widening sidewalks-to-multiuse paths in sections, or proposing whole new trails of different types. Just because something ends up on the “Trail Blueprint” doesn’t mean that it will become reality. A lot has to happen first, including the City Council approving funding. But the City Trail Blueprint will serve as a working, aspirational vision that City leaders can consider as they create designs, seek funding, and execute projects.

 

The Blueprint conversation that the Milton Trails Advisory Committee is involved in – including at Thursday’s meeting – takes into account past planning (like what’s in the Milton Trail Prioritization Plan or the circa 2017 version seen here: https://www.miltonga.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/270/636971251809030000) as well as current City Code feasibility considerations. Public input is an important part of the process as well; we’ll keep you posted about upcoming opportunities along these lines, so stay tuned!

 

If you’d like more information or have questions about the Blueprint or MTAC, please contact Emily Groth – that committee’s liaison and the City’s Environmental Program Manager – at Emily.Groth@miltonga.gov.