Public Planning Yields Ideas
The Great Shasta Rail Trail Association (GSRTA) hosted a series of public meetings to garner ideas for the rehabilitation of the Lake Britton and Highway 89 Overcrossing bridges and the trail between the Burney Trailhead and the Bridges. There were also two discussions about the development of the Burney Trailhead infrastructure.
Below are some of the ideas that were put forth at those meetings. All are invited to review these and, if they inspire other ideas, to submit them to help with the design of the project. Email your ideas to GSRTA: askus@greatshastarailtrail.org.
Meetings were held as follows:
**July 4, 2019 at Burney festival – “manned” table invited conversation and completion of a survey about features desired for Lake Britton Bridge and Highway 89 Overcrossing
**September 26, 2020 on GoToMeeting (Burney Trailhead was topic)
**October 17, 2020 on GoToMeeting (Burney Trailhead was topic)
**December 8, 2020 on GoToMeeting (Trail between Burney Trailhead and the Bridge)
**January 30, 2021 on GoToMeeting (Lake Britton Bridge and Highway 89 Overcrossing)
Invitations to the meetings also included an invitation to submit ideas via email to askus@greatshastarailtrail.org. The list below includes ideas received in that manner.
Garrett Costello of Symbiotic Restoration facilitated the on-line meetings that were hosted by the Great Shasta Rail Trail Association.
RECREATION FEATURES AND BEAUTIFICATION DESIRED
For the rehabilitation, improvement of GSRT infrastructure in Burney area
Burney Trailhead
*Plant native black oaks every 25 feet parallel to the road at the lower elevation
*Roofed interpretive display with a weather shielded map, GPS point of that site, and art or photography of wildlife that exists in the trail corridor, rules, trail etiquette, emergency contact and leave no trace guidance
*Picnic tables, high sloped roofed rain/snow shelter
*Include parking and turning space for vehicles with trailers
*Make low profile signs and ADA accessible for easy reading
*Parking area large enough for horse trailers and buses to easily park and turn around
*Pave the trail
*Directional signs on Highway 89 before 4 corners and the east and west approaches to the trail turn-off on Highway 299
*Larger entrance sign
*Remove the old truck and railroad ties
*Four post kiosks so they are stable during wind and snow events
*Place kiosk behind barriers (e.g. large boulders) from the parking lot and have an accessible walkway to it to protect from vehicles
*Use crushed, rolled rock for parking lot surface
*Develop a link from the trail to the State Park.
*Clearly define the trailhead and the trail
*Deal with trash with signs encouraging hauling yours out, as well as picking up the trash of others
*Segment the trail enabling access other than trailheads to assist those who need a shorter adventure.
*Develop water access
*Partner with local artists who could create wood carvings, rock sculptures, ceramics, etc.
*Make signs super durable to resist vandalism and the weather
*Benches along the trail for respite – include bike rack
Trail between the Trailhead and the Bridge
*Consider rubberized asphalt – grants available, could partner with other projects in the area to make bringing the special heavy equipment worthwhile. Not good for roadways or parking, but could be good for trail.
*Consider paving only 1-2 feet wide path, leaving the crushed cinders for those who enjoy them (bicyclists)
*Use rocks as barriers rather than bollards for a better look
*Warn users of lack of water and shade.
*Crush cinders where they are too large for comfortable use
*Don’t try to improve nature. Don’t need to beautify
Lake Britton Bridge and the Highway 89 Overpass
*Solar lights
*Bench at each end
*Tie-ups for horses (riders may not want to take their horses on the bridge)
*Create an open-style vista point for enjoying views and bird watching
*Consider establishing a host site so that there can be someone keeping an eye out
*Diagonal decking is best for bicycles and equestrians
*Decking – wood preferred, perhaps manufactured if easier to maintain
*Murals on both sides of the overpass
*Construct bump-outs for viewing from the bridge
*Picnic tables near the bridge
*Railing system – must be see-through, but should not be totally containing. If people want to jump off they will find a way. Just protect against accidents.
*Public art not important to most people
