Jordan Boudreau
he/theySanta Cruz, CA
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Primary pedestrian paths at UCSC and Pogonip Trails Opportunity to join these networks
Informal Recommendation to UCSC for Trail Safety Imrovement
Santa Cruz, CA — 2024
In 2021-2022, I worked part-time as an outdoor teacher leading kids on hikes around Santa Cruz. After bringing students several times from the UCSC campus to the Pogonip trail system and encountering a dangerous, unprotected road crossing, I made this recommendation to UCSC to the safety and accessibility of getting between campus and Pogonip.
MORE ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS
Existing Conditions
Pedestrians currently have only two options to walk from campus to the Pogonip Spring Box Trailhead. Both approaches pose dangers. One requires pedestrians to walk along the shoulder of Coolidge Drive, around a blind curve and near speeding cars; the other, while pleasant to start, requires a descent down a steep hillside followed by a short walk on Coolidge. Both routes require an unprotected street crossing across Coolidge to reach the trailhead.
Proposed Solutions to Explore
The solution to this problem could be quite simple; I propose the following two interventions below.
- Install crosswalk: Install a 12’ wide crosswalk on Coolidge Drive at the Spring Box Trailhead. Ideally, pair this with pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to alert cars to slow down.
- Improve and formalize the informal trail from Stevenson to Pogonip: Improve an existing informal hillside trail, including stairs and minor grade adjustments as needed.
Assuming these two interventions were made, the following strategies could help highlight the connection between UCSC and Pogonip:
- Create on-campus trailhead and signage: Install trailhead signage at Stevenson, formalizing this short trail from Stevenson to the Spring Box Trailhead.
- Include wayfinding signage at nearby Mobility Hub: Consider installing wayfinding signage from the Mobility Hub, through Stevenson, to the proposed trailhead.