Recreation and pedestrian movement are extremely important planning and design components within the West Innovation District. This business neighborhood provides a unique opportunity to establish a comprehensive system of commuter and recreational bikeways, including a greater emphasis on mobility for cyclists. The Plan provides full access throughout the area with key regional connections to major parks and activity nodes. While most public input has focused on missing links and connections to existing residential areas, the West Innovation District Plan looks comprehensively at the long-term value of bicycle infrastructure not only as an amenity, but as an integral transportation and economic development component.
The Bikeways Plan
The West Innovation District Bikeway Plan serves as a model of development for other areas of Dublin and identifies an all-inclusive system of bicycle infrastructure that will connect with surrounding areas through the following strategies:
- Incorporate bike lanes or shared-use lanes along major arterials and collectors to provide commuter access throughout the area to homes and businesses;
- Coordinate multi-use paths along major roads and through comprehensive open space systems that provide recreational access to activity centers and destinations; and
- Use internal streets as signed bike routes to enhance the pedestrian orientation of the business neighborhood by mixing bikes and cars.
The implementation of this bikeway system will provide for full connectivity within the West Innovation District and surrounding areas. Elements of the Plan consider the context of efforts in other areas of the City such as the Hyland-Croy Corridor and the Bridge Street District. The Plan also acknowledges how pedestrian and bicycle movement can be integrated with the City’s greenway and transportation networks.
The most significant capital element of the Bikeway Plan includes the establishment of a multi-use bridge over U.S. 33 using the existing Eiterman Road right-of-way. Pedestrian connectivity is restricted through the U.S. 33 / SR 161 interchange, and the establishment of this key east-west connection provides an opportunity to establish an artistic architectural image-maker along the core of the West Innovation District.
Parks and Greenspace
Dublin is well known as a community committed to establishing parks and preserving open spaces and riparian corridors. As amenities for residents and businesses, Dublin currently has over 1,400 acres of dedicated parkland and open space. The City has targeted comprehensive expansions of this system as development occurs. Key park and greenspace destinations in and around the West Innovation District include:
Glacier Ridge Metro Park. This 1,000-acre regional park with natural areas, equestrian trails and the Honda Wetland Research Center is located just north of SR 161 east of U.S. 33;
M.L. “Red” Trabue Nature Preserve. This community park includes 90 acres of natural areas with sensory gardens, paths, meadows and an historic log cabin located just northeast of the West Innovation District;
Darree Fields. The 152-acre community park is located in the West Innovation District between Cosgray and Houchard Roads. The park includes baseball diamonds, multi-purpose fields, picnic and restroom facilities, the Miracle League Field, a dog park and soccer fields; and
The Golf Club of Dublin. This award-winning 18-hole links golf course is located within the heart of the Ballantrae residential community at the south edge of the West Innovation District.
The Open Space Plan
Development within the West Innovation District will be supported by a comprehensive greenway system linking major parks, destinations and activity centers as an important visual element and pedestrian amenity. Key recommendations of the Open Space Plan include the extension of green corridors along the CSX railroad, northward along existing power line easements and to the east using stream corridors. The Plan emphasizes pedestrian and green connections along existing Shier Rings Road between Eiterman Road and Darree Fields. The Plan highlights the residential nature of this area and provides connections to neighborhoods south of the West Innovation District. Greenway extensions along Eiterman Road and the South Fork Indian Run create the potential to coordinate bike and pedestrian connectivity across U.S. 33. Long range plans emphasize connectivity with the Hyland-Croy Corridor and Red Trabue Nature Preserve. These key extensions to the east will provide the opportunity for an uninterrupted regional system along the SR 161 corridor from Darree Fields in the West Innovation District to the commercial centers along Sawmill Road in the Bridge Street District. Major planning elements of the Open Space Plan include the following actions:
- Maintain greenway buffers along stream corridors to preserve the floodplain and facilitate pedestrian travel options;
- Encourage setbacks along key roads that will facilitate the extension of multi-use paths; and
- Identify a balance of programmed spaces that are located within the larger framework of the natural environment.
The Open Space Plan will create an interconnected system of natural areas throughout the West Innovation District and beyond.
