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LAUNCHING CANOE AT LAKE WANAHOO STATE RECREATION AREA Floating The Good Life • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 25 T H E A R R I V A L The arrival to the water trail access includes the transition from the public roadway into the site, how a user circulates throughout the parking area, unloading and staging the watercraft, and leaving your vehicle behind for time spent on the water. This arrival additionally includes day-use amenities, such as restroom, picnic seating, and shelter. It also may include overnight camping accommodations. Expect user groups to extend beyond solely water trail users to those interested in fishing, bird watching, picnicking, and simply wanting to be by the natural resource of the river or lake. The arrival to the water trail access serves as the first impression visitors will have. Providing a clear understanding of how to circulate, load/unload, and prepare for setting out on the water will set the tone to the beginning of the user's recreation experience. Entrances Entrances to the site should be placed along the public road or highway in a clearly visible location for oncoming traffic. Access points along the public roadway will require approval from the city or county engineer, who typically will identify where the entry point shall be placed. The public engineer will also direct how the entry within the right-of-way shall be built with regard to width, turning radii, pavement materials, etc. Entry drives from the right-of-way into the site should be wide enough to accommodate the largest vehicle expected to utilize the site, such as trailered boats and busses for transporting large groups if that is the desire of the stakeholders. An entry drive should be at least 24 feet wide and a straight segment at least 60 feet long at the right-of-way to allow the largest anticipated vehicle to align for safe in and outbound traffic. Gating the entry drive and providing fencing along the public right-of-way frontage will define times when the access site is closed during non-operational times, including periods when water elevations are unsafe for being on the water. This visual closure is not only a deterrent for undesired use of the site but also may be a requirement of insurance coverage necessary to operate a public water trail access.