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Project Overview 1 1-3 1.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW 1.1 INTRODUCTION As communities grow and develop, opportunities to connect them by means other than paved roads becomes increasingly important, not only for recreational purposes but also for commuting. Trails are a vital form of connector. Numerous projects implementing trails through rural and urban areas across the country have found positive results including: • supporting an active lifestyle that improves health • enhancing the quality of life • attracting tourists • encouraging new trail-related business development • helping revitalize business districts • inspiring renewed civic pride • providing a fresh focus for community activities • helping conserve and appreciate the environment The San Leandro Creek Trail Master Plan aims to provide the neighboring communities of Oakland and San Leandro with a feasibility study to create a route for active transportation, recreation, access to open space, and opportunities for environmental education. Additionally, as an active transportation route, the trail is expected to provide a range of benefits including connections to: the San Francisco Bay Trail, the proposed East Bay Greenway, Lake Chabot Regional Park and all associated trails; Downtown San Leandro; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station in San Leandro; several schools; residential neighborhoods; and the Airport-Coliseum business district. The intent of this project is to develop a master plan for a multi-use corridor including as much Class I multi-use trail as is feasible along San Leandro Creek between Chabot Dam and the San Francisco Bay. The trail alignment will provide an east-west route while the Bay Trail, East Bay Greenway and Ridge Trail all provide North South connections. 1.1.1 PROJECT ORIGIN AND PARTNERS Work around restoration and enhancement of San Leandro Creek began with the formation of Friends of San Leandro Creek (FSLC) in 1998. FSLC is a non-profit organization and community group made up of dedicated citizens, students, and businesses interested in the protection and enhancement of San Leandro Creek, and in learning more about the San Leandro Creek’s ecology. The Friends have contributed to City and County decisions affecting the San Leandro Creek and the surrounding watershed and have planned Creek-related activities such as Creek walks and clean-ups. Later, in 2012, the San Leandro Creek Alliance was formed to restore the San Leandro Creek and research the potential of the San Leandro Creek Trail. The Alliance is an informal group that includes the Cities of San Leandro and Oakland, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, East Bay Regional Parks District, Friends of San Leandro Creek, BART, Merritt College, Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and East Bay Municipal Utility District. A key effort leading to the Master Plan effort has been the work of Merritt College’s Environmental Management Program, which has worked with the community in neighborhoods including Sobrante Park, Brookfield Village and Columbia Gardens for the past eight years. This work included holding community listening sessions, creek walks, visioning charrettes, and surveys and discussions on how to connect the proposed Creek greenway to on- going neighborhood plans and interests. In 2015, City of San Leandro (grantee), City of Oakland (sub grantee), and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (sub grantee) applied for and received a “Partnership Planning for Sustainable Transportation” grant from the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for completing a master plan study for a multi-use trail along San Leandro Creek. The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program was created to support Caltrans’ mission to “Provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability”. 17