3.9 JOINT DEVELOPMENT

As part of the alternatives analysis, early consideration was given to joint development of the beltway with other new features that might be incorporated into the beltway right-of-way in order to enhance the concept. Options considered included features that might be compatible with a 90 m (300 ft) road right-of-way such as bicycle and pedestrian trails; linear parks; rail freight line consolidations; and utility lines.

Although some features, such as a trail or linear park, could be incorporated into the beltway project corridor with additional right-of-way, most other joint use opportunities were not considered feasible (see Section 2.1.6). The City of Lincoln is experiencing some problems at Wilderness Park, where environmental and trails activists are adamantly opposed to the construction of arterial connectors to US 77 through the park. No joint use opportunities are being pursued for the beltway project at this time.

3.10 RECREATION IMPACTS

3.10.1 Existing Conditions

Recreational facilities in the study area include two public parks, two private recreation areas, three private golf courses, a privately owned arboretum, and three public hiker/biker trails and two public equestrian trails. Wilderness Park, which extends 12 km (7.5 mi) from Lincoln to Saltillo Road along Salt Creek, is a County-owned, City-operated park providing separate trails for hiking, bicycle and equestrian users. Jensen Park, also owned by the City, is soon to be developed with ballfield facilities. Golf courses in the study area include Wilderness Ridge, Hidden Valley and Crooked Creek. Four other courses abut the study area and include Yankee Hill, Himark, Firethorn and Hillcrest Country Clubs. The MoPac East and David Murdock Trails are located in the east beltway study area. The Izaak Walton League has a facility south of Highway 2 on South 134^th Street. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have recently purchased a property near A Street and Stevens Creek; the organization was fully advised of the location of the beltway alternatives prior to acquisition of the property.

It should be noted that the City of Lincoln is considering two new park areas within the beltway study area which could result in the beltway crossing future public recreation land; however, Section 4(f) only applies to existing resources. In addition, if these park lands are concurrently planned with the proposed roadway project, they would not be considered 4(f) properties in the future. The first location is an extension of Wilderness Park (and trails) south to Hickman which would be crossed by SM-4. The second is a new park location in the vicinity of Stevens Creek which could be crossed by EM-1.

3.10.2 Impacts of the Four Finalist Alternatives

The only recreational impacts are that (1) all of the east beltway alternatives will require grade separated crossings of MoPac East hiker/ biker and equestrian trails (2) EC-1 will require a grade separated crossing of the David Murdock Trail, and (3) EM-1 will require acquisition of approximately 3.6 ha (9 ac) from the BSA property, and will have noise impacts at the BSA property and at Crooked Creek golf course. Noise at Crooked Creek and the adjacent BSA properties will not approach or exceed the 66 dB level, but will increase by 15 dBA or more near the property boundary. However, the noise study indicated that the 66 dBA contour would extend no more than 12 m (40 ft) beyond the beltway right-of-way (Appendix C, Section 7.4).

3.10.3 Proposed Mitigation

Mitigation for the trail impacts are discussed in detail in Section 3.11 and Appendix H. Mitigation of noise impacts to the golf course are discussed in Section 3.13 and Appendix C.

Early in the project planning, it was discussed that if mitigation was required for impacts to parks or other appropriate resources, then consideration should be given to acquiring project right-of-way to extending Wilderness Park south of Saltillo Road. At this point in time, no mitigation requirements of this type have been identified.

3.10.4 No Build Alternative

The no build alternative will avoid any impacts to recreation, other than that required for construction of the proposed future roadway network improvements.