Project Overview

The Open Space and Mountain Parks Department (OSMP) has launched a systemwide Multimodal Access Improvements Assessment to better understand how community members and visitors access open space lands and trails, and to identify opportunities to improve safe, sustainable and equitable access.

This assessment focuses on improvements within OSMP-managed lands to support access for hikers, runners, climbers, equestrians, bicyclists and wheelchair users. All potential improvements will be evaluated to ensure the protection of natural resources while maintaining high-quality visitor experiences.

The assessment will focus on OSMP-led actions and may include:

The multimodal assessment project will include these areas: trail connections, trailheads and access points, and education and outreach. Details below.
  • Trail connections that improve access within the OSMP trail system or link to nearby regional trail networks.
  • Trailhead and access point improvements, such as signage, wayfinding and safer multimodal access to entry points.
  • Education and outreach tools to better inform visitors about non-driving access options

While the primary emphasis is on OSMP lands, the project may also identify limited opportunities outside OSMP’s jurisdiction that support safer and more connected access.

Project Goals

  • Build a shared understanding of how visitors currently access OSMP lands
  • Identify gaps or barriers to accessing and using trails
  • Explore small, achievable improvements that support safety, connectivity, and sustainability
  • Ensure future decisions align with OSMP’s Charter purposes, ecological priorities, and visitor experience goals

Stay Informed and Involved

We want to hear from you! Submit a comment.

Sign up for OSMP Fieldnotes Newsletter to stay informed about the project and learn about upcoming community input opportunities. There will be three community engagement windows, starting in Spring 2026.

Timeline and Project Phases

The multimodal assessment project includes four phases beginning in quarter 4, 2025 and ending in quarter 4, 2027; detailed below.

Phase 1: Background Research & Assessment (2025 Q4 - 2026 Q1)
Staff will build on existing data to understand how visitors currently access OSMP lands, including travel modes, visitation patterns, facility use and trail and access conditions. This phase will identify gaps and preliminary opportunities related to multimodal access.

Phase 2: Preliminary Opportunities & Community Input (2026 Q2)
OSMP will share early findings and potential focus areas with the community and gather feedback through a public engagement window and an on-the-ground intercept survey.

Phase 3: Draft Package of Solutions (2026 Q3)
Using the feasibility analysis results and community input, OSMP will develop a draft package of potential improvements. A scoring framework will help evaluate options based on ecological impacts, safety, connectivity, feasibility and alignment with OSMP’s mission.

Phase 4: Refined Package of Solutions (2026 Q4)
Staff will refine the draft recommendations based on additional feedback and bring forward a final package for review.

Additional Materials

December 2025 Open Space Board of Trustees memo PDF.

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