The La Mesa Urban Trail Mobility Action Plan goal was to bring together the City’s many ongoing planning efforts to establish a prioritized pedestrian urban trail network that supported and encouraged the use of alternative modes of transportation for exercise and mobility. Through an innovative and robust outreach program, participants collected data, provided input, identified their preferred urban trail alignments, and learned how to use the bus and trolley systems, all while getting exercise and meeting their neighbors. Outreach was also conducted through Helix and Grossmont High Schools and La Mesa’s CX-3 after-school program to gather youth input on the trails and to educate interested students about urban planning and design.

The plan established an urban trails network connecting neighborhoods and key destinations throughout the City. Nineteen trail segments totaling 22 miles were identified and prioritized for implementation based on criteria such as connectivity, safety and trail experience. Opportunities for landscape treatments such as urban forestry, urban runoff and stormwater retention were identified in each trail corridor. Implementation and wayfinding strategies were also included. As a result of the analysis and recommendations process, the City now has multi-benefit, grant-ready projects primed to secure funding for implementation.

Culminating the public input period, a citywide event, Connect La Mesa Block Party, was held to present the trails, engage residents and provide education on alternative modes of transportation. More than 350 people attended the event and provided their input on final trail configurations. Supporting activities at the included yoga, a parklet design competition, food trucks, a protected bicycle lane demonstration, bicycle rodeo, nature walk, geocaching, student art and urban trail competitions, sidewalk art and prize giveaways.