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1011/ Attachment 1-" Project Description" Imagine an entire community, the center of transportation for the county linked together by a pedestrianlbicycle trail network. Trails that families can access directly from their homes; that wind through parklands to the center of downtown, the library, city hall, the activity and teen center; that winds through parkland, along and across a lovely river past wildlife habitats, and significant archaeological sites; that features a "Gateway" education and interpretation center with plenty of parking for visitors arriving from the adjacent IH35. Implementation of this proposal will make such a vision a reality for the City of San Marcos. The San Marcos River Gateway Hike and Bike Trail has two features. The first provides an integrated system of hike and bike trails and pedestrian walkways for intra-city transportation and recreation. The !Tails will connect low & moderate income neighbdrhoods shopping, Courthouse Square, and other city facilities. Downtown 1 kway improvements, in addition to being safer and more inviting to users, will enhance the historic integrity of Square. The second feature is construction of a river education and interpretation center(EIC).at IH35, the "Gateway and a focal point of the hike and bike system. Hike and Bike Trails: Along its length the San Marcos River Gateway Hike & Bike Trail will extend from IH35 for 1.6 miles to the boundary with Sewell Park and Aquarena, headwaters of the San Marcos River. In width it extends from Guadalupe Street on Courthouse Square to Bobcat Drive on the east. Of 2 Y:z miles of existing trails, 500 feet require restoration or upgrading (erosion control, bridge replacement or step removal.. The proposed linkages and trail enhancements will tie the existing trails together to provide a total of nearly 5 Y:z miles of beautiful trails and walkways usable as a safe, auto-free alternative transportation route within the city. The longest new section of trail will link the new library and activity center to existing trails. Two existing foot bridges will be replaced The new bridge will provide access to the trail system from three densely populated neighborhoods and connect directly to the Education and Interpretation Center. Two new trail access parking areas are planned. The larger one at the apex of the Ramon Lucio Little League Field. will also serve as a commuter parking lot which will maximize its weekday use and promote carpooling, thereby reducing pollution. Additional bike racks will be installed at this site. The second parking lot will be at a major trail and river access point, near the Rio Vista Dam and picnic area on the Southeast side of Cheatam Street. Included in the walkway connectors to downtown two sections of two blocks each which will have sidewalk, landscaping and lighting enhancements (underground wiring) they will link the parklands to downtown and SWTSU. The results of engineering studies will deterrnine whether one of the links is E. Hopkins or San Antonio Street. These enhancements will provide convenient entry points to the river and trails without increasing traffic or parking ~ssure on the city center. ver Education and Interpretation Center: The main architectural feature will be the education and mterpretation center (EIC). The structure will be approximately 3000 square feet with adjacent parking lot constructed with techniques and materials to provide maximum protection of habitat and river resources. It will be visible and accessible from IH35 and will directly enhance the travel experience of casual as well as resident-stay visitors. The building and parking area will be attractively landscaped. The ErC is envisioned as: 1. an education and resource center for the enriching the experience of trail and the river use. Tour and display emphasis will be placed on the uniqueness of the San Marcos River with special emphasis on the numerous indigenous threatened or endangered species. 2. a point of origin for tours of the wildlife and natural areas of the parkland. 3. an entry point with convenient parking for visitors accessing what will ultimately be a network of trails extending throughout Hays County. Design and construction of trails, bridges and parking areas will be performed by Parks and Recreation staff. Site, architectural and ErC work will be bid ami built to comply with city, state and federal policies. The work to be performed with TxDOT Statewide Enhancement Program funds includes, but is not limited to the following: -construction -bridge & architectural design -parking lot design -Sidewalk construction -bidding -directional/interpreti ve signage -ADA compliance -con tracting/ nego tiation -trail construction -bridge construction -l andscaping/xeriscape -lighting installation