OutdoorNebraska

43 S U P P LY O F O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N Community Trails NGPC asked communities in our recreation questionnaire to document how many miles of different trail surfaces exist within their communities. Table 3.4 shows the miles of different types of surfacing for trails within each region of the state. Again, the Metro region has more miles of trails than any other region given the larger population. One reason is because urban areas are becoming more trail-centric because of the benefits associated with trails and quality of life. Trails and quality of life have a direct relationship with one another. User preferences show that there's a positive correlation among mental, physical, and social aspects of life in communities that have trails and connect people with outdoor recreation compared to those that do not. Even rural communities close to urban areas are focusing more on trail development as they can connect nearby amenities. The Northeast and South Central regions follow the Metro region for the most trail miles. Concrete trails appear to be the most popular type of trail surface created in communities, followed by natural and limestone trails. Paved system trails create great connectivity to green spaces and parks; whereas, a properly planned and designed natural surface trail system could add to the recreational value immensely by providing unique experiences for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers. One idea could be to provide hard surface trails parallel to natural surface options to relieve pressure from the paved system and provide a richer experience for those looking to recreate on natural surfaced trails. Consider the type of trails your community wants. ATV trails and mountain biking trails are in high demand in some areas of the state, but there are few offered. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) or LWCF grants are great opportunities for this (see Chapter 5 for details). Communities can use this information as they plan to invest and procure funding for trails with surfacing that match the specific preference of the intended users. Surveying community members early on in the planning process can be beneficial when deciding to invest in a trail (or any outdoor recreation amenity) because it ensures a holistic approach is taken in making decisions that account for the intended user and the experience that they want to have. Type of Trail in Miles Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Total Concrete Trails 293.8 24.72 61.92 61.43 28.69 9.9 2.2 483 Asphalt Trails 8 0.85 0.8 4.25 5.4 - 1.2 21 Limestone Trails 32.99 4.25 10.75 22.5 5 0.5 6.6 83 Natural Trails 44 47.8 6 10 7.5 5.1 2.5 123 Water Trails - - 2.8 2.3 15 - - 20 ATV/OHV Trails - - - - - 1 - 1 Total Miles of Trail 382.34 78.42 81.37 79.2 52.84 14.4 10.5 699.07 Table 3.4: Community Trails in Miles Source: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 2020 surveys, Internet searches, personal contact, and existing data. Did you know that trails are tied to higher property values and opportunities for children to recreate safely?

• Cover