VISION PLAN
Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve
The Hillsborough County Greenways and Trails Net- work is a system of interconnected paved trails, un- paved trails, blueways, and natural corridors that pro- vide opportunities for recreation and transportation. This section contains definitions of elements of the greenway network, a description of different types of greenway users, the history of greenway planning and improvement efforts in Hillsborough County, and a brief summary of the benefits of access to greenways. Definitions Throughout this Greenways and Trails Master Plan, the following key terms are used to describe elements of the Greenways and Trails Network: Paved trails are designed to be part of a transporta- tion system, providing routes removed from traffic for a variety of users. The primary users of paved trails are bicyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrians using mobility devices such as manual or motorized wheel- chairs. While they may also provide a recreational ex- perience, paved trails differ from other types of trails with their ability to provide a mobility function and can serve as a supplement to on - road bike lanes, shared roadways, bike boulevards, and paved shoul- ders. Paved trails can be located within a roadway right - of - way or within an independent right - of - way,
such as a utility corridor, old rail grade, or adjacent to a waterway. Unpaved trails are paths with a natural surface (such as dirt or crushed shell) designed primarily for recreational purposes. They do not necessarily con- nect to destinations. Unpaved trails are largely de- signed for users to experience the outdoors and may be enjoyed by a variety of users such as people on foot, on bicycles, including mountain bicycles, and on horseback. Blueways , or water trails, are any traditionally navi- gable waterways defined as having the capacity, in terms of length, width, and depth, to enable a kay- ak, canoe, or other type of non - motorized craft to make successful progress through the waterway, regardless of the presence of shallow rapids, ex- posed cobble, or other objects that may impede passage. In practice, blueways span a wide array of levels of challenge, from standing water to challenging whitewater. Blueways may be designated on rivers or streams, or along specific routes through larger open bodies such as lakes or bays.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GREENWAYS AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN
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