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Introduction <br /> 411111 <br /> Trails provide multi-generational recreation opportunities, increase <br /> 4 • the quality of life of the community, and create alternatives to <br /> vehicular transportation.This section covers the existing park trails <br /> in San Marcos, discusses the issues and needs related to them, and <br /> offers recommendations for the future. <br /> Existing Conditions <br /> Trails comprise a significant part of recreation planning in a <br /> s community.Trails offer access to and connectivity between parks <br /> and other destinations, and provides recreation, fitness, and <br /> socialization opportunities. In recent years,the demand for trails <br /> 141 <br /> . has grown across the nation,with one of the most popular outdoor <br /> " ' activities being trail running.' <br /> At present,there are over 26 miles of trails maintained by the City of <br /> .u , San Marcos(COSM)and the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance(SMGA). <br /> Most of the regional parks, special use parks, and greenspace and <br /> natural areas in San Marcos contain trails. Set out in Table 3.12, <br /> Existing Trails and Map 3.13, Existing Trail Locations, are the existing <br /> trails within each of these parks.The map also shows current bicycle <br /> routes and sidewalk locations within the City. <br /> From August 2016 to July 2017, approximately 100,000 people visited <br /> - Purgatory Creek Natural Area,thus proving that proximity to trails <br /> is important for park users, as many residents want the choice to <br /> easily walk or ride to get to a trail. Map 3.13, Existing Trail Locations, <br /> shows one-quarter-mile and one-half-mile service areas around the <br /> City's existing trails. Sidewalks and bicycle routes are not shown with <br /> a buffer since they are for single use and oftentimes only serve to <br /> provide the connection to the citywide trail system. Currently,the <br /> center and northwest portions of the City are the only areas served <br /> by the existing trails system. <br /> 'Outdoor Participation Report,2016.The Outdoor Foundation.http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/ <br /> Research Participation2016.pdf <br /> N. <br /> Table 3.12,Existing Trails <br /> TRAIL TRAIL NAME MILES PARK <br /> NUMBER <br /> 1 N/A 0.5 Woods of San Marcos <br /> 2 Bamboo Shoot 0.0 Sessom Creek Natural Area <br /> 3 Beatrice 1.3 Purgatory Park <br /> 4 Blind Salamander Way 0.3 Spring Lake Preserve <br /> 5 Blue Heron 0.3 Spring Lake Preserve <br /> • <br /> Chapter 3 I System Analysis, Needs, and Recommendations 117 <br />