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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 <br />____________________________________________________________________________ <br />31 <br /> <br />Dock Maintenance. Installation of docks and tie-up posts will occur in the spring, and removal <br />of docks and posts in the fall to a suitable winter storage location. Necessary repairs and <br />maintenance of the docks and their associated land-based bulkheads, signage, etc. will be <br />reviewed and completed on as as-needed basis. Dock installation and maintenance will be one <br />of the primary ongoing costs associated with operation of the Park. <br /> <br />Emergency Access by Air <br />An emergency helicopter landing zone has been established directly north of the main dock <br />area at the south end of the Park. Emergency service providers have been advised of the GPS <br />coordinates of the site, and power lines have been buried to eliminate overhead lines as a <br />hazard. <br /> <br />Trail and Walkway System <br />Pedestrian access within the Park is primarily via unimproved trails and a few areas of <br />deteriorated asphalt or concrete walkways, in some instances being the remains of the <br />promenades that served the Big Island Amusement Park a century ago. The locations of the <br />major trails were mapped on the 2006 ALTA survey. <br /> <br />Existing Trails. Approximately 1.7 miles of informal trails wind throughout the Park, most of <br />which are unmarked but are readily identifiable by worn pathways. A majority of the trail <br />system has not been improved other than occasional removal of overhanging branches or <br />downed trees blocking the pathways. While the remnants of former paved walkways are <br />generally located on gentle grades, the unpaved trails follow the existing topography and have <br />not been graded. As a result, there are sections of informal trail that are relatively steep and <br />winding, accessible to pedestrian travel but not suited for wheelchairs. In addition, a few <br />sections of these trails have been eroded or are fairly near bluff areas, and may require future <br />attention to maintain accessibility or ensure their continued usability. Along the southeast <br />shore a section of the trail crosses a small drainageway which incorporates a culvert that will <br />have to be maintained on a regular basis. <br /> <br />Proposed Trail Improvements. One of the primary goals for Big Island Nature Park is to <br />improve access to and mobility within the Park. Because motorized vehicles and bicycles are <br />not allowed on the property, the primary need for trails is for pedestrian access. To that extent, <br />the existing trail system generally provides pedestrian access to all portions of the Park <br />property; therefore, construction of additional trails is not warranted at this time. <br /> <br />Wheelchair accessibility via the existing trails is severely limited because only short segments <br />of trail, mostly near the boat landing, are paved. Most of the paved sections are very old and in <br />poor condition. <br /> <br />A majority (80%) of the existing trail system is within the Natural Area as defined in the <br />MCWD Conservation Easement, and is subject to certain restrictions that limit the degree of <br />repair or improvement that is allowed. The Easement allows unpaved paths or foot trails to be <br />established and maintained in the Natural Area for non-motorized recreational uses in a manner <br />that does not negatively impact the conservation values of the Park. Selected trails may be <br />constructed of crushed limestone or similar all weather surface capable of supporting <br />handicapped access. As existing paved trails deteriorate, the existing surface materials are