Boards & Commissions Supporting Documents - 03/09/1994 - Safety Pathway Committee (3)ORK BROOK
SAFETY PATHWAY COMMITTEE
INFORMATION ON THE IMPACT OF SAFETY PATHWAYS
Quotes from Evaluation of the Burke - Gilman Trail's Effect on Property Values and
Crime by Seattle Engineering Department Office for Planning, May, 1987:
"Property near but not immediately adjacent to the Burke - Gilman Trail is
significantly easier to sell and, according to real estate agents, sells for
an average of six percent more as a result of its proximity to the trail.
Property immediately adjacent to the trail however is only slightly easier
to sell, and sells for zero to 1/2 % more."
"Homes immediately adjacent to the trail did not experience an increase
in burglaries and vandalism as a result of the trail."
Quote from The Impact of Rail - Trails: A study of the Users and Property Owners
from Three Trails, by Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, National
iPark Service, Washington, D.C., February, 1992:
"The majority of owners reported that there had been no increase in
problems since the trails had been established, that living near the trails
was better than they had expected it to be."
"Land owners along all three trails reported that their proximity to the
trails had not adversely affected the desirability or values of their
properties, and along the suburban Lafayette /Moraga Trail, the majority
of owners felt the presence of a trail would make their properties sell
more easily and at increased values."
"Health and fitness and recreation opportunities were considered to be
the most important benefits of the trails by the landowners. The trail
users felt the trails were most important in providing health and fitness,
aesthetic beauty and undeveloped open space."
"Residents and visitors enjoy the benefit of trail use, aesthetic beauty,
protected open space, and in some instances higher property resale
values, while local communities enjoy bolstered economies and increased
community pride among other benefits."
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