Murrieta City Council
August 31, 2026

Master Plan
Murrieta
Trails
February 2025
DRAFT
Introduction Community
Voice
Section One Section Two
Table of Contents
Executive
Summary

Plan Background 6
Key Recommendations 7
Conclusion 9
Trail Benefits 12
City of Murrieta Trails Master
Plan Approach
12 Review of Existing Plans
and Studies
13 Document Organization 16
Feedback Survey Summary
21 Stakeholder Interviews
22 Multimodal Community
Survey 23
Community Workshops 24

Welcome
DRAFT
Needs
Assessment
Recommendations
Section Three Section Four
Existing Conditions 32
Trail Classification 32
Existing Trails Descriptions 38
Field Review &
Maintenance Opportunities
59 Trail Usage 61
Proposed Trail Connections and Additions 64
Connections 64
Additions 66
General Trail Recommendations 67
Signage and Wayfinding 67
Trail Design Standards 71
Trail Amenities 76
Trail Maintenance Operations 78
Traffic Calming and Improved Visibility 80
Trail Mapping and Data Management 82
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps 84
Implementation 112
Next Steps 114
Funding 116

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4 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Executive
Summary
Welcome
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5 DRAFT
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6 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Plan Background
The City of Murrieta’s Trails
Master Plan (MTMP) is a visionary
document that sets the stage for
a more connected, accessible,
and enjoyable trail network.

The MTMP’s objective is to
support the City’s commitment
to fostering outdoor recreational
opportunities, promoting healthy
lifestyles, and ensuring accessible
and well-maintained trails for
all residents and visitors.

The development process for the
MTMP included evaluating existing
plans and studies related to trail
planning in the City, engaging
with community members, and
conducting a robust assessment
of existing conditions to identify
actionable recommendations
for enhancing and expanding
the City of Murrieta trail
network. By prioritizing key
recommendations, fostering
community engagement, and
securing diverse funding sources,
Murrieta can ensure its trails
continue to provide access
to nature and recreation for
people of all ages and abilities.

The Master Plan
Public Participation
The public input for this MTMP included:
2,849 views & 21 feedback comments garnered by a
dedicated project website.
1,525 residents representing 492 household responses
in a statistically valid, multimodal survey.
3 community workshops featuring online and paper surveys. 277 responses on online and paper surveys featured at
community workshops.
14 interviews with key stakeholders such as Council
Members, Commissioners, school district representatives, and community leaders.

Feedback from the community largely indicated a desire for improved trail signage, connectivity, amenities, maintenance, and expansion.

The Murrieta Trails Master Plan offers an exciting opportunity to enhance the community’s quality of life by creating a more connected, accessible, and enjoyable trail network. These trails will provide safe spaces for walking, biking, enjoying nature, promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a sense of community. To ensure that this plan becomes a reality, an investment in trail maintenance staffing and/or volunteer programs, trail improvements, and new trail connections will be required.
-Call to Action, 2025 Trails Master Plan
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7 Key
Recommendations
As Murrieta continues
to grow, the demand
for well-maintained,
accessible, and
connected trails will
increase. The MTMP
addresses current needs
while anticipating future
demands, providing
a comprehensive
approach to trail
development and
management.

Informed by the existing
conditions analysis and
community feedback,
the MTMP identifies
several critical areas
of focus, including
the following:

Signage and
Wayfinding
Implementation of
Uniform Signage
Standardize signage
across all trails to
ensure consistency
and improve user
navigation.

Wayfinding
Enhancements
Install clear directional
signs at key points
along the trails to help
users easily find their
way. This includes
trailhead signage,
roadway crossing
signs, trail directional
signage, trail mile
markers, and on-street
trail guide signs.

Trail Connections and
Additions
New Trail Connections
Introduce connections
between existing trails
and/or new trails.

Sidewalk Connections
Utilize sidewalks to
formalize connections
between nearby
existing trails.

New Trail Incorporation
Incorporate trails that
exist but are not formally
part of Murrieta’s trail
network.

Future New Trails
The City’s General Plan
identifies a number of
new trail opportunities in
the Circulation Element
chapter, including the
Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail Project, which will
connect Lake Elsinore,
Murrieta, Wildomar,
and Temecula to form
a single connected
regional trail.

Seek opportunities
to proactively plan
for new trails as part
of new residential
developments.

Trail Classification and
Design Standards
Trail Classification
Adopt a trail
classification system
to easily identify the
various types of trails
present in Murrieta’s
trail network.

Trail User Classification
Adopt a trail user
classification system to
easily identify which
trail user types are
recommended for
each trail. User types
should be continually
monitored and
adjusted as the City
sees fit.

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8 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Mapping and Data
Management
Comprehensive Trail
Mapping
Develop and regularly
update a detailed
map of the trail
network, including
new connections and
amenities. Develop
marketing campaign
to publicize trail maps
and trail information.

GIS Data
Management
Utilize GIS technology
to manage trail data,
ensuring accurate
and accessible
information for
Key Recommendations (Cont.)
Traffic Calming and
Improved Visibility
Enhanced Crossing
Safety
Implement high
visibility marked
crosswalks and
Rectangular Rapid
Flashing Beacons
(RRFB) at key trailroadway intersections.

Speed Reduction
Measures
Lower speed limits
on roads adjacent
to trailheads and
crossings to improve
safety for trail users.

Routine Maintenance
Programs
Establish ongoing
maintenance
schedules to address
issues such as
erosion, trail uplift
from tree roots, and
miscellaneous repairs.

Trail maintenance
can also help users
navigate the trail.

Identify future staff
resources needed
to effectively service
maintenance of trails.

Adopt-A-Trail Program
or Murrieta Fix It App
Encourage
community
involvement in
maintaining trails
through an adopta-trail initiative or
through the Murrieta
Fix It App.

Develop and
utilize volunteer
program assigned to
individual trails for trail
maintenance.

Trail Maintenance
Trailhead Amenities
Include trail signage
including a trail map,
information and rules,
a QR code to an online
trail map, and dog
waste stations.

Staging Area Amenities
Provide additional
amenities at major trail
access points including
adequate parking,
bike racks, restrooms,
drinking water, picnic
tables, benches, and
shade structures.

On-Trail Amenities
Provide trail directional
signage and mileage
markers along the
trail to help with trail
navigation. Other
amenities could include
benches, picnic tables,
dog waste stations,
and/or educational
information signage.

Trail Amenities
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9 Conclusion
The implementation of the MTMP
will result in an interconnected
trail network designed to
enhance the user experience
and provide easy access to the
natural environment. By following
the strategic recommendations
outlined in this plan, the City of
Murrieta will promote outdoor
recreation, support healthy
lifestyles, and ensure that the
trails remain a valuable asset for
current and future generations.

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10 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Introduction
Section One
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12 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The City of Murrieta is formalizing
their commitment to provide a
variety of recreation opportunities
for its residents and visitors by
creating their Murrieta Trails
Master Plan (MTMP). Murrieta
recognizes that its parks, trails,
and natural areas are a critical
part of what shapes the quality
of life for citizens of the City.

The City’s robust existing trail
network provides opportunities for
people of all ages and abilities
to enjoy the natural environment
that Murrieta has to offer.

Trail Benefits
Implementing a comprehensive
trail system in the City of Murrieta
brings numerous benefits,
enhancing the overall quality of
life for residents and visitors alike.

These benefits include:
• Promoting learning and
appreciation of the
natural environment
Introduction to the Master Plan
• Improving physical
and mental health
• Building community identity
and connections
• Boosting the local economy
• Encouraging use of nonmotorized transportation
• Providing access to
recreation and fun!
The multifaceted benefits—
ranging from health and
environmental sustainability
to economic growth and
community building—underscore
the importance of the MTMP.

By investing in this initiative,
Murrieta can ensure a healthier,
greener, and more vibrant future
for its residents and visitors.

City of Murrieta Trails
Master Plan Approach
The MTMP addresses the critical
aspects of the City of Murrieta’s
trail network, focusing on
identifying needs and providing
actionable recommendations for
enhancement. The objective is to
support the City’s commitment
to fostering outdoor recreational
opportunities, promoting healthy
lifestyles, and ensuring accessible
and well-maintained trails for
all residents and visitors.

To meet these objectives, the
Master Plan emphasizes the
following key elements:

Build on existing plans and studies
The MTMP will build on the City’s
existing planning documents
and studies which define the
goals and plans for future
growth of the trail network.

Clarify classifications
and design features
Provide more detailed
classifications of trails for
different settings and users
and define applicable design
features to create a successful
and cohesive trail network.

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13 Provide a robust public
participation process
The MTMP will incorporate
the feedback gathered from
community members to ensure
the trail network reflects the needs
and wants of the community.

Prepare a realistic
Implementation Plan
The implementation section of
the MTMP will include strategies
and resources for getting
trail enhancements funded
and built, and for operating
and maintaining the trail
network over the long term.

Review of Existing
Plans and Studies
Several important planning
documents and studies that
have provided guidance for
trail development in the City
are summarized below to
provide context on the history
of Murrieta’s trail network.
• Capital Improvement
Program Budget
• Park Amenity Listing
• City Parks and Trails Map
• Trails Guide (2006)
• Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail (MCRT) Plan
• Murrieta’s Interim Trail (MCRT)
• City’s General Plan – Section
5: Circulation Element
• City’s General Plan –
Section 9: Recreation &
Open Space Element
• Economic Development
Strategic Plan/Demographics
• Economic Development
Explore-Murrieta-Facts
• City “Funtier” Brochure
Capital Improvement
Program Budget
At the time of this report, the
Fiscal Years 2024/2025 through
2028/2029 was the most recently
available Capital Improvement
Plan published by the City. There
is over $12.7 million in projected
funding for parks, recreation
facility, and trails projects. There
is also approximately $52.8
million, $12.8 million in planned
CIP projects, in identified parks,
recreation facility, and trails
projects that remain unfunded.

Park Amenity Listing
The City Parks Amenity Listing is
a reference document of each
of the public parks in the City of
Murrieta, detailing the address/
location, acres, and presence of
any amenities. The City of Murrieta
encompasses approximately
4,000 acres of trails, open space,
streetscape, and parkland,
including 53 parks and a number
of natural areas. Parks range in
size from the 0.4-acre Rosewood
Neighborhood Park to the 45-
acre Los Alamos Hills Sports Park.

There are a variety of amenities
at each location, including:
• Amphitheaters
• Barbecues
• Ball Fields
• Basketball Courts
• Bike Paths
• Walking Trails
• Catch & Release Ponds
• Community Centers
• Concession Stands
• Dog Parks
• Football Fields
• Frisbee Golf
• Horseshoe Pits
• Mature Trees
• Open Grass Areas
• Parking Lots
• Par Exercise Courses
• Picnic Tables
• Park Benches
• Restroom / Port-O-Lets
• Shelters
• Soccer Fields
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Courts
• Tot Lot / Playground
Equipment
• Volleyball Court
City Parks and Trails Map
The Parks Brochure is a map of
all trails and parks within the
City of Murrieta. The current
map/brochure posted on the
City website includes sixteen
(16) trails, and provides the
trail distance and ground type
(native soil, decomposed
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14 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The Murrieta Creek
Regional Trail will
create a multi-use
trail alongside
Murrieta Creek that
connects Temecula
to Lake Elsinore,
and the cities
between.
granite, asphalt, concrete).

Trails Guide
The Murrieta Trails Guide,
published in 2006, provides a map
of all the trail locations in the City,
as well as a detailed description of
each trail. The descriptions provide
pertinent details related to the trail
head location, level of difficulty,
trail type, trail use, and length.

Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail (MCRT) Plan
The Murrieta Creek Regional Trail
(MCRT) Plan was prepared in
2014 and provides conceptual
alignment analysis and
recommendations for the MCRT.

The intent of the MCRT project
is to develop a “city-to-city”
trail that creates a multi-use
trail alongside Murrieta Creek
that connects Temecula in the
south to Lake Elsinore in the
north, and the cities between.

The MCRT Plan provides 20
recommendations for the City
of Murrieta, related to trail
alignment & design, trailhead
and access point development,
and bridges and road crossings.

Additionally, there is a general
recommendation for the
cities of Temecula, Murrieta,
Wildomar, and Lake Elsinore to
continuously work collaboratively
and continue to identify and
explore opportunities to connect
the MCRT to other existing and
future-planned trail networks.

Murrieta’s Interim
Trail (MCRT)
Following the preparation of
the MCRT Plan, interim maps
were prepared of the Murrieta
Creek Trail. When the maps were
originally prepared in 2015, there
were approximately 3 miles of
trail routes on-street and off-street
mapped in the City of Murrieta.

The trail connects the Murrieta
Equestrian Park and the Copper
Canyon Park. There are seven (7)
street crossings along the route.

City’s General
Plan - Section 5:

Circulation Element
The Circulation Element of
the Murrieta General Plan
2035 represents the City’s
overall transportation plan to
accommodate the movement
of people and goods within and
through the City. It establishes
goals and policies to achieve a
balanced transportation system
that adequately serves the growth
and development anticipated
in the Land Use Element. The
transportation plan consists not
only of the physical transportation
system itself, such as streets,
highways, bicycle routes, trails,
and sidewalks, but also the
various modes of transportation,
such as cars, rail, buses, trucks,
bicycles, and walking. The bicycle,
pedestrian, and trails system is a
14 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
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15 key priority of the General Plan.

Several policies relate to the
planning of the regional trails
system, specifically CIR-8.1
to CIR-8.15. These include:
• CIR-8.12 - Pursue funding
or grant opportunities
to plan, construct, and
maintain pedestrian bicycle,
and multi-use trails.
• CIR-8.13 - Maintain a map or
maps of current bikeways and
multi-use trails, and make the
map(s) available to the public.

City’s General Plan -
Section 9: Recreation &
Open Space Element
The Recreation & Open Space
Element of the Murrieta General
Plan 2035 represents the City’s
overall intention to prioritize the
following community concerns:
• Protect the natural
beauty of the mountains,
hills, and waterways.
• Provide abundant
parks and facilities for
recreational activities
and cultural amenities.
• Provide ample activities
for all ages of youth,
and jobs for teens.

Recreation planning is guided
by the City of Murrieta Parks and
Recreation Master Plan (Parks
Master Plan). The Parks Master
Plan provides information about
Murrieta’s parks and recreation
facilities. It also includes a needs
assessment and gap analysis,
recommendations for meeting
current and future needs, and a
financial implementation plan.

The City has adopted a standard
of 5 acres of parkland per 1,000
residents. As of June 2009, the
City had a deficit of 34 acres
according to this standard;
and if no new parkland is
added, there will be a deficit
of approximately 200 acres at
buildout (assuming a population
of 133,261). Additional acreage
is required to accommodate
recreation facilities such as sports
fields and courts that meet the
population’s demands. The
Parks Master Plan estimated that
240.3 acres of parkland would
be needed for a population
of 120,000 to meet identified
needs for recreational facilities,
in addition to what is needed to
meet the parkland standard.

Economic Development
Strategic Plan/
Demographics
The City of Murrieta Economic
Development Strategic Plan was
published in October of 2018.

At the time it was published, the
City of Murrieta had a population
of 113,541, which made it the
largest city in southwest Riverside
County. Income is higher than
the county average, with
average household income for
the City coming in at $99,600
with projected income growth
forecasted at 2.4% over the next
five years. The City’s average
household size was 3.2 and a
median age of 34. Residents in
the City of Murrieta are highly
educated when compared to
the surrounding region with 29%
having a bachelor’s degree
or higher and 92.2 % having at
least a high school diploma.

Economic Development
Explore-Murrieta-Facts
The City of Murrieta Economic
Development Department is
committed to continue to have a
qualified workforce that attracts,
retains, and expands industries,
and enhances the quality of life
for residents in the City of Murrieta.

A Murrieta Facts Sheet is posted
on the City website, providing
several facts and figures related
to the vibrancy of Murrieta.

The City of Murrieta lies 90 miles
north of the U.S. – Mexico Port
of Entry of Tijuana, Mexico, and
is 90 Miles east from the busiest
U.S Seaport, the Port of Los
Angeles. Within 75 miles are five
(5) international airports (Ontario,
San Diego, Orange County,
Palm Springs and Los Angeles),
offering a strong economy built
on diversification, small business
vitality and quality of life. The
Murrieta Innovation Center is
currently home to seven medical
technology startups including the
region’s first genomics laboratory
aptly named Murrieta Genomics.

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16 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
City “Funtier” Brochure
The City of Murrieta publishes a Family “Funtier”
Brochure, which looks to provide the details as to
why Murrieta is the “home of family entertainment.”
For example, the brochure explains:

Document Organization
This introduction gives an overview
of the MTMP, the benefits of
trails, and a review of existing
plans and studies related to
the City’s trail network.

Section 2: Community
Voice
covers the MTMP public
participation process and results.

Section 3: Needs
Assessment
details the robust existing
conditions assessment including:

Trail Classifications
Discussion of the observed
categories of existing trails.

Existing Trail Descriptions
Detailed descriptions of each
trail within the City, noting key
features and amenities.
“With over 1,350 acres of trails, open
space and natural areas, the City of
Murrieta is an unparalleled park paradise.

Murrieta’s 52* public parks offer the
ideal place for family activities, sports
and experiences. From the quaint to
the sprawling, Murrieta’s scenic and
well-maintained parks are primed for
everything from family picnics and
leisurely strolls to competitive youth
sporting events and tournaments.”
*As of September 2024, the City has 53 parks.

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Opportunities
Insights from field inspections
highlighting areas requiring
maintenance, repair, or upgrades
to ensure safety and usability.

Trail Usage Analysis
An analysis of current trail
usage patterns, identifying
popular trails, peak usage
times, and user demographics
to inform future planning.

Section 4:

Recommendations
provides a detailed discussion
of the recommendations
developed by the consultant
team. It includes:

Proposed Trail Connections
and Additions
Strategic suggestions for new
trails and trail connections to
enhance the network, improve
accessibility, and create a
more cohesive trail network.

General Trail Recommendations
An assortment of
recommendations aimed at
improving overall trail quality
and user experience.

Implementation: Identification
of relative planning level costs
and time to implement the
identified recommendations.

Funding
An exploration of potential
funding sources, including
grants, partnerships, and
community initiatives, to
support the implementation
of the recommendations.

Appendix A
provides summaries of the
community outreach.

Appendix B
provides a map of the City
of Murrieta trail network.

Appendix C
provides individual trail cut-sheets
featuring a map of each trail
accompanied by trail amenities
and essential information.

Appendix D
provides trail usage charts
discerned from the trail usage
data collection processes.

Appendix E
provides a map of the
planned and recommended
future trail connections.

Appendix F
provides a map of the
planned Murrieta Creek
Regional Trail Project.

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Community
Voice
Section Two
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Community Voice
The community outreach campaign developed for the Trails Master Plan utilized multiple methods of information sharing and data collection including an online and paper feedback survey, one-onone stakeholder interviews, a statistically valid multimodal survey, and three (3) community workshop online and paper surveys.

Throughout the process, project updates and summary results were posted to the project website. This website enabled community members to review updates and provide immediate feedback at any point in time. This resource enabled anyone in the community to have a voice in the process, regardless of when and where meetings were held.

The purpose of gathering community input through a variety of methods is to ensure that the MTMP is as inclusive as possible and that it reflects the views, preferences, and trail usage patterns of Murrieta residents.

Community Outreach Summaries are provided in Appendix A.

Following the February 15 meeting, a
commencement video of the workshop #1
presentation was made available online on
the project website for those who could not
attend in person. The workshop #1 survey
was available online and paper copies
were available at the city’s recreation
facilities. The survey was open for two
weeks until February 29, 2024.

The workshop #1 survey was advertised on
the City’s social media, City website, and
Workshop 1
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Source: RJM Design Group
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21 Feedback Survey Summary
A project website was developed to keep the community
informed around the clock, launching to the public on February 6, 2024. Throughout the project’s duration, regular updates and surveys were published on the website. The site garnered a total of 2,849 views, averaging 20 views per day. A total of 21 feedback comments were received during this period.

The following is a summary of the most frequently recorded responses:

Improve trail connectivity
Improving connectivity will
make it easier for people
to access and navigate
the trail system. Creating a
comprehensive trail system
that connects all existing trails
will improve accessibility and
allow residents to fully enjoy
the natural beauty of the area.

Connect trails between parks,
neighborhoods, and schools:

This is important because it
will provide a safe route for
children to ride their bikes
between their neighborhood
and their school, reducing
traffic congestion and
improving safety.

Enhance safety of trails
Providing safe, off-road
trails for hiking, running, and
biking will promote outdoor
physical activity and improve
the overall well-being of the
community. This includes
separate bike lanes and trails
that are separate from roads
to ensure the safety of cyclists.

Repairing cracked asphalt
and better trail maintenance
was also mentioned.

Incorporate signage and
educational aspects
Adding identification markers
for native plants, animals,
and topography, as well as
providing information about
landmarks and historical
places, will enhance the
educational value of the trails
and provide a more enriching
experience for visitors.

Build new trails
Murrieta Creek Trail and
Vineyard Trail were both
mentioned as well as general
requests for more trails for
walking and running.

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Stakeholder Interviews
The following summarizes the results of the fourteen (14) stakeholder interviews conducted as a part of the public outreach effort to assist in the preparation of the MTMP. Stakeholder interviews were conducted between January 22 and March 8, 2024. Community stakeholders included City Council Members, Commissioners, school district representatives, and community leaders. Stakeholders were emailed a questionnaire related to the MTMP. They were asked to fill out the questionnaire, then later schedule a video conference interview to discuss their responses in more detail. The following is a summary of their responses to each of the questions.

What are the most
important issues in
Murrieta related to the
trails currently provided?
• Signage
• Update trails map
• Connected trails
• Trail maintenance
What are the most
important trail features
or trail amenities for
residents in the future?
• Signage
• Connectivity
• Maintenance
• Dog waste stations
• Separate walking
and biking paths
• Trail safety
How can the Community
Services Department
improve in providing trails
to community residents?
• Advertising and
marketing of trails
• Connecting trails
What is one trail feature
or trail amenity you would
most like to see added
or improved in Murrieta
to meet the needs of
the community?
• Signage
• Connected trails
• Trail information on
difficulty and amenities
What is one program,
class, or activity you would
most like to see added or
improved in the Murrieta
trail system to meet the
needs of the community?
• Hiking class or program
• Market and promote
location of trails
• Nature trail walks
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23 Highlights from the multimodal survey include:

When residents are looking for information about City trails, parks, recreation facilities, programs and services, 44% get information from the City’s website, 27% from online or Google searches, 12% from social media, and 9% from friends and family.
60% are satisfied with the network of trails in Murrieta.

What is one trail feature or trail amenity you would most like to see added or improved in Murrieta to meet the needs of the community? (in alphabetical order)
• Improve maps, signage, markers
• Improve safety
• Improve trail network and connectivity
• Provide dog waste stations and more trash cans
• Provide more bike trails
• Provide more hiking and walking trails
• Provide more trail information
Multimodal
Community Survey
The statistically valid, multimodal
survey consisting of 492
households was administered
between March 11 and March 18,
2024. Interviews were conducted
in English and Spanish languages.
52%
Throughout the
community outreach
process, 52% of residents
mentioned hiking and
walking as their main
activity or reason for
using a trail.

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Community Workshops
Community Workshop #1
Workshop #1 commenced on
February 15, 2024, from 6:00 PM
to 8:00 PM at the Alderwood
Park Clubhouse. Following the
February 15 in-person meeting,
a commencement video of the
workshop #1 presentation was
made available online on the
project website for those who
could not attend in person. The
workshop #1 survey was available
online and paper copies were
available at the City’s recreation
facilities. The survey was open
for two weeks until February 29,
2024. After the February 29 survey
close date, all surveys from the
in-person meeting (individual and
group sheets), online surveys, and
paper surveys were combined
and summarized. A total of onehundred and four (104) surveys were completed. The following
responses to the survey questions
are listed in order of frequency.

Are you currently using the City’s trails? If so,
how are you using the Murrieta trails?
• Walking and hiking
• Biking
• Running
• Dog walking
• Other (equestrian or do not use trails)
How satisfied are you with the maintenance
and overall condition of the trails?
• Satisfied with some suggestions for improvement
• Dissatisfied with maintenance quality
• Neutral/no opinion
• Satisfied with the need for more trails
• Satisfied with specific trail mentioned
Are there any barriers or challenges that
prevent you from using trails more often?
• Trail condition and maintenance
• Accessibility and knowledge of trails
• Connectivity and length of trails
• Desired features and amenities
• Safety and Security
How can the Community Services Department
improve in providing trails to community residents?
• Trail access, expansion, design, and amenities
• Urban planning, development,
conservation, and trail preservation
• Community engagement, promotion,
awareness, outreach, and advertising
• Information and accessibility
DRAFT
• Trail maintenance and environmental protection
1 4
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25 Select Results of Workshop 1 Survey Charted
DRAFT
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Community Workshops
Community Workshop #2
Workshop #2 commenced on
March 28, 2024 from 6:00 PM to
8:00 PM at the Alderwood Park
Clubhouse. Following the March
28 meeting, a commencement
video of the workshop #2
presentation was made available
online on the project website for
those who could not attend in
person. The workshop #2 survey
was available online and paper
copies were available at the
City’s recreation facilities. The
survey was open for over two
weeks until April 14, 2024. After
the April 14 survey close date,
all surveys from the in-person
meeting, online surveys, and
paper surveys were combined. A
total of seventy-seven (77) surveys
were completed. The following
responses to the survey questions
are listed in order of frequency.

What is the name of the trail most often used or visited? • California Oaks Trail
• Cole Canyon Trail
• Las Brisas Trail
What do you like about this trail?
• Aesthetic appreciation
• Accessibility
• Recreational value
• Safety and cleanliness
• Wildlife and nature
What facilities or amenities do you find most
valuable on the City’s existing trails?
• Accessibility
• Basic amenities
• Safety features
• Environmental features
• Trail maintenance
Are there facilities or amenities you believe are missing, lacking, or could be improved on the city’s trails system? • Environmental conservation and maintenance
• Trail amenities
• Trail connectivity
• Trail information and signage
• Safety and accessibility
DRAFT
1 4
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27 Select Results of Workshop 2 Survey Charted
DRAFT
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Community Workshops
Community Workshop #3
Workshop #3 commenced on April 24, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Murrieta Senior Center. Following the April 24 in-person meeting, a commencement video of the workshop #3 presentation was made available online on the project website for those who could not attend in person. The workshop #3 survey was available online and paper copies were available at the City’s recreation facilities. The survey was open for three weeks until May 15, 2024. After the May 15 survey close date, all surveys from the in-person meeting, online surveys, and paper surveys were combined and summarized. A total of ninety-six (96) surveys were completed. The survey asked participants to rank the trail needs identified through the community outreach effort, with 1 being the most important and 9 being the least important. Participants were also given the chance to write in an answer if it was not listed.

The results were:

Add More Hiking and Walking Trails
(including Murrieta Creek Trail, Greer 1 Ranch trails, and Vineyard Trail) Connect the Existing Trails (including
improve trail network and 2 connectivity)
Environmental Protection (including
preserve natural settings, protect
wildlife, preserve creeks, protect and
preserve open land, trees & ponds)
3 Bike-Friendly Trails (including more
bike trails, improve bike trails, provide
mountain bike trails, improve bikeway
network, trails for eBikes)
4 Provide Trail Amenities (including dog
waste stations, drinking fountains,
benches, trash cans, parking,
restrooms, features for children)
6 Safety and Access (including
improved safety, trail safety, trail
accessibility, trail safety features, ADA trail
access, no motorized vehicles)
7 Signage (including kiosk, trail markers,
difficulty level, type of trail, trail rules, 8 plants, animals) Promote/Advertise Trails (including
provide more trail information, community 9 outreach, trail awareness, city trails map) Trail Maintenance (including trail
conditions and maintenance, clean
trails, long-term trail maintenance,
flatter trails, multi-use decomposed
granite surface, native plantings, trail
repairs)
5 DRAFT
1 4
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29 Overall Priority Ranking with Average
Participant Response Charted
DRAFT
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Needs
Assessment
Section Three
DRAFT
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31 DRAFT
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
This analysis was conducted
to document each of the City
trail’s general characteristics
including surface material,
surface condition, general
width, description and location
of access points/trailheads,
parking availability and parking
conditions at trail access points,
and identification of where trails
cross a roadway accompanied
by crossing design characteristics.

Data was collected first through
an aerial mapping review using
Google Earth and Google
Streetview. This review provided a
foundation for understanding City
of Murrieta’s trail characteristics
which was then validated through
field work. A map of the City of
Murrieta trail network is provided in
Appendix B.

Existing Conditions
Trail Classification
The City of Murrieta offers a
diverse array of recreational
opportunities, including fitness
routes, trails, bike lanes, and parks.

For the purposes of this document,
“trail” refers to a broad range
of facilities dedicated to nonmotorized travel. Presently, City of Murrieta features nineteen (19)
trails that accommodate users
of all modes and abilities. Using
the best practices implemented
by other cities, the consultant
team has been developing a
published classification system
for the City’s trails, as one is not
currently in place. This system
categorizes trails into five distinct
types, further divided into
unpaved Open Space Trails
and paved Mobility Trails.

While some trails may occasionally
have a mix of two trail types, this
classification system utilizes the
most prominent trail type found on
each trail.

Trail types found in the City’s trails
include:
• Type 1 - Nature Trail
• Type 2 - Recreational Trail
• Type 3 - Wide Dirt Trail or Utility
Roadbed
• Type 4 - Greenbelt Concrete
Path
• Type 5 - Paved Multi-use Trail:

Asphalt or Concrete
The following is a detailed
description of each trail type
found in City of Murrieta.

DRAFT
1 4
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33 Open Space Trails
(Unpaved)
Type 1
Nature Trail
2-12 feet wide
Typically located in “backcountry” natural open spaces, these trails are at least 2 feet wide
and surfaced with locally sourced
natural materials, usually a mix of
soil and finely to coarsely broken
rock. These trails often feature
steep inclines, making them ideal
for hiking, mountain biking, and
equestrian use. Examples of this
trail type within the trail network
include Cole Canyon Trail, Toulon
Trail, Warm Springs Trail, Falcon’s
View Trail, and the Rancho Los
Alamos Trail System.

Toulon Trail Warm Springs Trail
Falcon’s View Trail
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Open Space Trails
(Unpaved)
Type 2
Recreational Trail
8-14 feet wide
Similar to Type 1 trails, Type 2 trails
offer a wider and typically less
strenuous path. These trails have a
minimum width of 8 feet and are
surfaced with either local, naturally
occurring materials, or decomposed
granite. Designed to accommodate
a broader range of users, including
children and e-bikers, Type 2 trails are
the most common trail type in the
City of Murrieta. Examples of this trail
type within the trail network include
California Oaks Trail, Lincoln Ranch
Trail, Los Alamos Hills Trail, Murrieta
Oaks Trail, and Sycamore Ranch Trail.

Los Alamos Trail Sycamore Ranch Trail
Lincoln Ranch Trail
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 35
Open Space Trails
(Unpaved)
Type 3
Wide Dirt Trail or Utility Roadbed
20-30 feet wide
Type 3 trails are primarily designed
to provide maintenance workers
access to utility infrastructure,
but they can also be enjoyed
by trail users. These trails typically
feature a decomposed granite
surface and are at least 25 feet
wide; however, the loose gravel
surface makes them less suitable
for strollers or bikes with medium to
thin tires. The only Type 3 trail in the
City of Murrieta is Mapleton Trail
East.

DRAFT
Mapleton Trail East
36 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Mobility Trails (Paved)
Type 4
Greenbelt Concrete Path
5-8 feet wide
Typically, these trails are located
in neighborhood greenways
and offer gentle slopes that
are suitable for trail users of all
ages and abilities. These trails
look similar to sidewalks but
meander through greenspaces
and are excellent for families
or those requiring mobility
devices. Mapleton Trail West
and Pond Park Trail are the
only Type 4 trails currently
offered in the City of Murrieta Mapleton Trail West Pond Park Trail Mapleton Trail West
DRAFT
1 4
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All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 37
Mobility Trails (Paved)
Type 5
Paved Multi-use Trail:

Asphalt or Concrete
8-14 feet wide
This multi-use trail type is at least
8 feet wide, providing enough
space for trail users to pass others
safely. This type of facility can be
utilized by many types of bikes as
well as walkers/joggers, families
with children of all ages, and
people requiring mobility devices.

Generally considered easy, these
trails offer gentle slopes through
parks and green spaces. Las
Brisas Trail, Rail Ranch Trail and
Rancho Acacias Trail are the
only three Type 5 trails currently
offered in the City of Murrieta.

Rancho Acacias Trail Las Brisas Trail
Rancho Acacias Trail
DRAFT
38 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Existing Trails Descriptions
As stated previously, the City
of Murrieta currently provides
nineteen (19) different trails.

Below is a description of each
trail including the location, trail
user types, trail material, trail
width, length, the trail type, and
the difficulty rating. Appendix
C provides individual trail cutsheets featuring a map of each trail accompanied by essential
trail amenities and information.

DRAFT
1 4
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39 DRAFT
40 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
California Oaks Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking

Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
5-10 feet
Length
1 mile
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
California Oaks Trail is located in central Murrieta
just north of Interstate 15. This trail comprises
two legs with access points on Jackson Avenue
and Monroe Avenue. The trail is family-friendly
and serves a variety of users. The two legs
of this trail are connected by sidewalk on
Jackson Ave to create a 1.0 mile loop trail.

Trail has limited amenities available to users.

TRAIL 1
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
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41 Cole Canyon Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking, Horseback Riding
Trail Material
Decomposed Granite/ Native Soil
Trail Width
4-12 feet
Length

3.3 miles
Trail Type
Type 1
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Cole Canyon Trail is located in west Murrieta
between Clinton Keith Road, Calle Del
Oso Oro, and Washington Avenue, this trail
features multiple paths branching off the main
trail linking to various neighborhoods. The trail
contains segments with obstacles and uneven
terrain along with segments that are flat and
open. Street parking is provided on Oak Bluff
Lane, Single Oak Way, Vineyard Parkway, and
Madeira Lane. A parking lot is provided off
Hayes Avenue just south of Semillon Lane*. The
trail provides access to the Santa Rosa Plateau
which is not part of the City of Murrieta trail
network.
*At Sykes Ranch Park
TRAIL 2
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Copper Canyon Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging
Trail Material
Decomposed Granite/ Native Soil
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

1.56 miles
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Copper Canyon Trail is located in west Murrieta
near Cole Canyon Elementary School. The trail
has multiple access points with a mixture of
on-street and off-street parking. Dedicated offstreet parking lots are located at Lower Copper Canyon Park. A portion of the trail is identified
as a fitness route and the entirety of the trail is
family-friendly and serves a variety of users. Use
of this trail does require a roadway crossing at
the mid-block of Via Moreno. Restrooms and
other amenities are provided at the Lower
Copper Canyon Park trailhead.

TRAIL 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 43
Creekside Village Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking, Family-Friendly
Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
8-12 feet
Length
.85 mile
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
The Creekside Village Trail is located in the
southeast part of Murrieta, south of Pond
Park Trail. This trail consists of two trailheads;
one is located on Murrieta Hot Springs Road
and another is in the Creekside Village
Neighborhood by the Creekside Village Green
Park. There are a few designated parking
spaces for Creekside Village Green Park and
on-street parking within 500 feet. The entire trail
is family-friendly, but no amenities are provided
for trail users.

TRAIL 4
DRAFT
44 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Falcon’s View Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
4-8 feet
Length

0.51 miles
Trail Type
Type 1
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Falcon’s View Trail is located in the northwest portion of Murrieta.

The trail contains segments with obstacles and uneven terrain.

The trail is surrounded by residential neighborhoods with Tovashal Elementary School directly to the north. On-street parking is only provided along the 5 Tribes Trail roadway which provides access to the middle trailhead. Parking for the other two trailheads is more than 500 feet away. As a strenuous trail, users of this trail may be limited. No amenities are provided to trail users.

TRAIL 5
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
45 Las Brisas Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Asphalt
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

1.14 miles
Trail Type
Type 5
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Las Brisas Trail is located in the center of
Murrieta and provides a family-friendly
experience to a variety of trail users. On-street
parking is provided within 500 feet of a few
of the trailheads. The trail does feature some
exercise equipment and other amenities at
various points along the route. The entirety
of the trail is identified as a fitness route and
serves a variety of users. This trail’s proximity
to residential areas and asphalt pathway
makes it a popular trail for users every day.

Additionally, this trail has offshoots which
could provide future trail connections.

TRAIL 6
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
46 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Lincoln Ranch Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking

Trail Material
Decomposed Granite
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

0.59 mile
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Lincoln Ranch Trail is located west of Ranch House Street adjacent to Interstate 215. This trail is accessible from many different locations within the nearby housing tract and provides onstreet parking at all trailhead locations. While the trail material and design imply this is an easy trail, the elevation changes along the route do increase the difficulty. This trail is family-friendly and accessible for a variety of users. No amenities are provided on this trail.

TRAIL 7
DRAFT
1 4
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47 Los Alamos Hills Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking

Trail Material
Decomposed Granite
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

1.57 mile
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Los Alamos Hills Trail is a path-like trail that surrounds the Los Alamos Hills Sports Park. The trail’s location at the sports park provides many amenities such as restrooms, water fountain, benches, and picnic tables. Additionally, the trail’s width and topography make it a family-friendly trail accessible to a variety of users. The entirety of the trail is identified as a fitness route. The parking along the trail perimeter does result in some overhang, which may cause some width reductions, and the multiple entrances to the park do create some trail and roadway crossing conflicts.

TRAIL 8
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
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Mapleton Trail East
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Decomposed Granite
Trail Width
20-30 feet
Length

0.33 miles
Trail Type
Type 3
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Mapleton Trail East is one of three trails in the
Mapleton Trail system. This trail is located near
Mapleton Trail West. The trail exists within a utility
corridor and provides a wide, consistent surface
and is family-friendly to a variety of users. The
entirety of the trail is identified as a fitness route.

Use of this trail does require a roadway crossing at
the mid-block of Poinsettia Street. No amenities are
provided on this trail.

TRAIL 9
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 49
Mapleton Trail North
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Family-Friendly
Trail Material
Decomposed Granite/ Native Soil
Trail Width
10-12 feet
Length

0.71 miles
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Mapleton Trail North is one of three trails in
the Mapleton Trail system is located in the
northern part of Murrieta along the City
boundary. This trail consists of multiple entry
points within the Mapleton neighborhood
and on Whitewood Road. On-street parking
is provided within 500 feet of the trailheads
in the Mapleton neighborhood. No other
amenities are provided on this trail.

TRAIL 10
DRAFT
50 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Mapleton Trail West
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking,
Family-Friendly

Trail Material
Concrete/Decomposed Granite
Trail Width
5-8 feet
Length

0.75 mile
Trail Type
Type 4
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Mapleton Trail West is one of three trails in the Mapleton Trail system. This trail is located in the north portion of Murrieta adjacent to Mapleton Park and Oak Meadows Elementary School. The trail has various material types but is a family-friendly trail accessible by multiple users. The entirety of the trail is identified as a fitness route. Off-street parking is provided at Mapleton Park and on-street parking is provided within 500 feet of the other trailheads.

A restroom and other amenities are provided at the Mapleton Park parking lot.

TRAIL 11
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 51
Murrieta Oaks Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging
Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

0.19 miles
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Murrieta Oaks Trail is a short, family-friendly trail
located in central Murrieta. This trail’s wide
pathway makes it suitable for a variety of users.

While the trail is short, access to the trail is simple with on-street parking within 500 feet of the
trailheads. No amenities are provided on this trail.

TRAIL 12
DRAFT
52 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Pond Park Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking

Trail Material
Concrete
Trail Width
5-8 feet
Length

0.3 mile
Trail Type
Type 4
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Pond Park Trail is a simple out-and-back, sidewalk-style, concrete trail located in Pond Park in southeastern Murrieta. The trail is adjacent to the pond in Pond Park and provides a variety of benches, picnic tables, and w cans along the route. This is a family-friendly trail suitable for a variety of users. Publicly available parking near the trailhead is nonexistent, but signage at the trailhead does direct users to park at Firefighters Park.

TRAIL 13
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 53
Rail Ranch Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging
Trail Material
Asphalt
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

0.24 miles
Trail Type
Type 5
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Rail Ranch Trail is located in central Murrieta
adjacent to Rail Ranch Elementary School. The trail
is family-friendly and suitable for a variety of users.

On-street parking is available within 500 feet of both
trailheads. No amenities are provided on this trail.

TRAIL 14
DRAFT
54 1
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3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Rancho Acacias Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Asphalt
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

0.66 mile
Trail Type
Type 5
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Rancho Acacias Trail is located in central Murrieta with a portion of it located in Rancho Acacias Park. The trail is an asphalt-based trail that has trailheads on Whitewood Road and Avenida Palizada. On-street parking is only located near the Avenida Palizada trailheads. The trail is family-friendly and accessible to a variety of users. Use of this trail does require a roadway crossing at the mid-block of Avenida Palizada. While seating is provided in Rancho Acacias Park, no other amenities are provided on the trail.

TRAIL 15
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 55
Rancho Los Alamos Trail System
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
4-12 feet
Length

8.12 mile
Trail Type
Type 1
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Located in the eastern portion of Murrieta with
a trailhead in Northstar Park, this trail system
provides users with a variety of trails. The system
can provide users with varying distances and
difficulties. At the time of the data collection,
the trailhead at Northstar Park was closed for
construction of a new residential development;
however, the trailhead at La Alba Drive was
accessible. Users for this trail system are limited
and amenities are not provided.

TRAIL 16
DRAFT
56 1
4 2
3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Sycamore Ranch Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Decomposed Granite
Trail Width
8-14 feet
Length

0.72 miles
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Located in western Murrieta, Sycamore Ranch
Trail generally runs parallel to Sycamore Creek
Avenue. The trail is located adjacent to a
residential area and has multiple trailhead
locations along the route. The wide pathway
makes the trail suitable for a variety of
users. On-street parking is available for most
trailhead locations with the exception of Calle
Del Oso Oro. No amenities are provided on
this trail.

TRAIL 17
DRAFT
1 4
2 3
All images sourced from Fehr & Peers 57
Toulon Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging, Biking
Trail Material
Native Soil
Trail Width
4-12 feet
Length

0.76 mile
Trail Type
Type 2
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Toulon Trail is located in a hilly, undeveloped
area in central Murrieta. The trail is an out-andback style with a trailhead on Toulon Drive.

Similar to Falcon’s View Trail, Toulon Trail is more
technical and narrower than other trails in the
area. As such, users of this trail may be limited.

On-street parking is provided near the Toulon
Drive trailhead. No amenities are provided on
this trail.

TRAIL 18
DRAFT
58 1
4 2
3 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN All images sourced from Fehr & Peers Warm Springs Trail
Uses
Walking/Jogging
Trail Material
Concrete/ Native Soil
Trail Width
2-5 feet
Length

0.24 miles
Trail Type
Type 1
Difficulty
Easy Moderate Strenuous
Warm Springs Trail is located in the central
portion of the Murrieta with the trailhead
originating in Warm Springs Park. This trail has
narrow pathways which make it one of the
more challenging trails in the trail network.

Users of this trail are limited to those walking or
jogging. Off-street parking is provided at Warm
Springs Park and additional amenities such as
benches and trash cans are also provided.

TRAIL 19
DRAFT
1423
59 Field Review &
Maintenance
Opportunities
The City of Murrieta supplied
a list of trail segments for the
consultant team to walk and
collect field data. Data included
geolocation tracking to validate
the shape and alignment of
the trails as well as geolocated
pinpoints which provided location
specific observations including
trail width, surface conditions and
material, access point/trailhead
accuracy, and photographs. The
fieldwork covered 10 miles of trails,
representing approximately 42%
of Murrieta’s total trail mileage.

Based on our field observations, we
identified several key maintenance
opportunities that the City could
pursue to enhance the user
experience for trail-goers. Below
is a summary of our findings,
accompanied by photographs
taken during our fieldwork.

Erosion
Trail erosion, to varying degrees,
was observed on several trails,
including Copper Canyon, Falcon’s
View, Lincoln Ranch, Sycamore
Ranch, and Mapleton Trail West.

This erosion can likely be attributed
to the unusually high rainfall the
region experienced this past winter.

The most significant erosion issue
was found on Falcon’s View Trail,
where half the width of the trail
has collapsed, posing a potential
safety risk for users. Implementing
improved drainage systems
could help make these trails more
resilient to future rain events.

All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
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Miscellaneous Repairs
The consultant team also
identified several minor
miscellaneous items in need of
repair, including a footbridge and
utility company junction boxes on
California Oaks Trail, missing fence
posts on Los Alamos Hills Trail,
broken asphalt on Las Brisas Trail,
and a damaged cement curb on
Sycamore Ranch Trail. Although
these issues do not necessitate
immediate attention, addressing
them would significantly
enhance the overall trail user
experience and contribute to
the long-term maintenance and
appeal of the trail network.

Trail Uplift from Tree Roots
Trail uplift caused by tree roots
was observed on Pond Park,
Rancho Acacias, Lincoln Ranch,
and Las Brisas Trails. The resulting
cracked and uneven paved
paths can create significant
accessibility challenges for users
who rely on mobility devices,
such as wheelchairs and walkers.

Addressing these issues is crucial
to ensuring that all trail users,
regardless of physical ability,
can safely and comfortably
enjoy the trails.

All images sourced from Fehr & Peers
DRAFT
1 4
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61 Trail Usage
Trail usage data was collected
at a sample of trails in the City
of Murrieta to understand the
typical trail user type (walking/
jogging, biking, or equestrian
use) as well as get a general
idea of how often the trails are
used. Data was collected at
one of the trailheads for five (5)
trails using a data collection
vendor that utilized video data
collection technology. The counts
were conducted for four (4)
consecutive days from Thursday
April 25, 2024 – Sunday April 28,
2024 to represent both weekday
and weekend trail usage. The five
(5) trails and associated trailhead
locations collected were:
• Rancho Acacias Trail
at Whitewood Road
• Las Brisas Trail at Las
Brisas Road
• Rancho Los Alamos
Trail at La Alba Drive
• Cole Canyon Trail at
Hayes Avenue
• Mapleton Trail West at
Poinsettia Street
Trail usage data found that Type-1
trails generally had higher usage
with the greatest usage observed
on Saturday and Sunday. The
exception to this generalization
is that Las Brisas Trail (Type 5) had
just as much usage as the Type 1
trails. The Las Brisas trail has a high
number of residential communities
nearby and its relatively easy,
wide, and off-street path makes it
Rancho Acacias Trail
at Whitewood Rd
The Whitewood Road
trailhead of Rancho Acacias
Trail experienced its busiest
day on Saturday, with 83
users, approximately 86%
of whom were pedestrians.

Peak usage occurred on
Thursday at 10:45 AM and
11:30 AM. Detailed charts
showing total daily usage and
usage in 15-minute intervals
are provided in Appendix D.

Rancho Los
Alamos Trail at
La Alba Drive
The La Alba trailhead of
Rancho Los Alamos Trail had it
busiest day on Sunday with 244
users, of which approximately
94% were pedestrians. Peak
usage occurred on Sunday
at 2:00 PM. Charts presenting
the total daily usage and
15-minute intervals usage are
provided in Appendix D.

Las Brisas Trail at
Las Brisas Road
The Las Brisas trailhead had it
busiest day on Sunday with 256
users, of which approximately
93% were pedestrians. Peak
usage occurred on Saturday
at 7:00 PM. Charts presenting
the total daily usage and
15-minute intervals usage are
provided in Appendix D.

Cole Canyon Trail
at Hayes Avenue
The Hayes Avenue trailhead
of Cole Canyon Trail had it
busiest day on Sunday with 532
users, of which approximately
89% were pedestrians. Peak
usage occurred on Saturday
at 4:45 PM. Charts presenting
the total daily usage and
15-minute intervals usage are
provided in Appendix D.

Mapleton Trail West
at Poinsettia Street
The Poinsettia Street
trailhead of Mapleton Trail
West had it busiest day
on Thursday with 78 users,
of which approximately
88% were pedestrians.

Peak usage occurred on
Thursday at 5:15 PM and
6:00 PM. Charts presenting
the total daily usage and
15-minute intervals usage are
provided in Appendix D.
a destination for recreational use
by many residents in Murrieta.

Standard bicycle versus electric
bicycle (e-bike) usage was
reviewed in the data collection
and the field observations. While
e-bike usage was found on the
trails, the users were found to
operate in a manner similar to
standard bicyclists; however,
it should be noted that e-bikes
can achieve a higher speed
than standard bicyclists so the
restriction of e-bikes on some
trails may be considered as
a future recommendation.

Additional information about
the trails sampled is provided.

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62 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Recommendations
Section Four
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63 DRAFT
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64 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Proposed Trail Connections and Additions
Improving the existing trails within
the City’s trail network can have
a positive impact on both the
users and the Murrieta community
at large. The trail network not
only operates as a transportation
or recreation system, but also
supports the continued growth
and development of the City of
Murrieta. The recommendations
identified vary from the inclusion
and development of new trail
connections to the installation
of uniform signage and
improved data mapping. These
recommendations represent
a toolbox of strategies and
ideas that can be implemented
to continue to support the
usage of the trail network.
continuous, and effectively
integrated into the trail network.

For example, the City will
need to secure easements on
approximately 30 parcels, from
Ivy Street to the City of Temecula
boundary, to implement the
Murrieta Creek Regional Trail.

New Trail Connections
The consultant team identified
several trail connections based
on field observations, many of
which were already noted in
the General Plan Circulation
Element. The alignment between
these field observations and prior
studies underscores the significant
value of these connections to the
overall trail network. The identified
connections are as follows:
• Warm Springs Trail to/from
Pond Park Trail utilizing a new
Type 1 trail through the creek
valley connecting these two
trails
• Warm Springs Trail to/from
Rancho Los Alamos Trail
utilizing a new Type 1 trail
through the creek valley
connecting these two trails.
• Copper Canyon Trail to/from
Cole Canyon Trail utilizing the
existing sidewalks along Calle
Cipres and Oak Bluff Lane
• Sycamore Ranch Trail to/from
Cole Canyon Trail utilizing a
Type 2 trail through the creek
valley connecting these
two trails. This will require a
roadway crossing of Calle Del
Oso Oro.

Connections
Expanding connections between
existing and/or proposed trails
plays a crucial role in enhancing
Murrieta’s trail network, offering
more opportunities for recreation
and transportation throughout
the City. By extending trails
away from roadways, these
connections create a safer,
more enjoyable environment for
residents and visitors. The City of
Murrieta has identified numerous
trail connection opportunities
within the Circulation Element of
its General Plan. These include
both stand-alone trails and
key connections to the existing
network. Among these is the
proposed Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail Project, a significant regional
effort that links the nearby cities of
Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta,
and Temecula into a continuous,
connected trail system. Other
potential trail extensions and
improvements have been
outlined both in the General Plan
and through recommendations
by the City’s consultant team,
aiming to increase accessibility
and enjoyment of Murrieta’s trail
system for all users.

It is important to note that the
implementation of these proposed
trails and trail connections may
necessitate the City acquiring
parcels of land or securing
easements on properties not
currently owned by the City. This
process is essential to ensure
that the trails are accessible,
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65 Beyond the trails identified in the
General Plan, additional potential
connections were identified for
further consideration. These new
connections were categorized
based on their ability to integrate
with the existing trail network,
improving connectivity and
providing seamless, accessible
routes for users:
• Murrieta Oaks Trail to Las
Brisas Trail utilizing a variety of
existing paths and new paths
through the landscape area
crossing Sweetspire Terrace
Place, Las Brisas Road, and
Calle San Vicente
The location of these planned
trail connections can be found in
Appendix E.

New Sidewalk
Connections
New sidewalk connections can be
established between nearby trails
located within or near residential
neighborhoods by utilizing existing
sidewalks along roadways. These
connections are designed to
extend the overall trail length by
linking separate trails through offtrail travel.

Examples of these connections
include:
• Los Alamos Hills Trail to/from
Rail Rach Trail utilizing existing
sidewalks along Sunlight Court,
Summerglen Avenue, and
Wintergrove Way .
• Mapleton Trail West to/from
Mapleton Trail East utilizing
existing sidewalks along
Poinsettia Street, Whitewood
Road and Mapleton Street.
• Mapleton Trail West to/from
Mapleton Trail North utilizing
existing sidewalks along
Delphinium Lane.

The location of these new
sidewalk connections can be
found in Appendix E.

Additions
As previously identified, the City of
Murrieta’s General Plan Circulation
Element has highlighted various
new trail opportunities, such as
the Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail Project. Additionally, the
Circulation Element proposes
new trails along Los Alamos Road
and Whitewood Road, situated
adjacent to and north of the Los
Alamos Hills Trail. The Whitewood
Road trail is envisioned to extend
in a north-south direction parallel
to Whitewood Road, eventually
intersecting with a planned trail
along Keller Road and the existing
Mapleton Trail East.

New Trail Incorporation
Murrieta Hills, situated west of
Interstate 215 along the northern
edge of the City, has long been
frequented by recreationial users
taking advantage of the natural
beauty that Murrieta has to
offer. While numerous pathways
crisscross the Murrieta Hills area,
two specific trails were identified
through aerial review and verified
via the trail app, AllTrails, as
promising candidates for inclusion
into the City’s trail network. This
expansion will not only increase
the total trail mileage but also
enhance access to nature-based
destination trails for network users.

The location of this new trail
incorporation can be found in
Appendix E.

Future New Trails
While a good portion of the City
of Murrieta has been developed,
some areas of the southwest
and northeastern portions of the
City have long-term projections
for additional residential growth.

Specific details for development
in these areas are unknown;
however, the ability to add trails
within these areas would be a
beneficial feature to implement
during buildout. These areas could
also be connected to the existing
trail network tough a combination
of sidewalk connections and trail
connections.

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66 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail Connection
The Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail (MCRT) is envisioned as
a multi-purpose recreational
corridor that weaves together
the natural beauty of the region
with a network of accessible
trails. This trail will serve as a
vital link between the cities of
Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar,
and Lake Elsinore, following the
natural flow of Murrieta Creek.

Initially conceived to address
flood management concerns,
the MCRT has evolved into a
multifaceted project that offers
a host of benefits, including
flood mitigation, promotion of
healthy and active lifestyles,
and strengthening of community
connections. By creating new
connections to existing city trails,
the MCRT will form part of a
much larger regional network,
enhancing the overall accessibility
of outdoor spaces for residents
and visitors across the region.

The Murrieta Creek Regional Trail
Plan, prepared in 2014, provides
a detailed conceptual alignment
and recommendations for the
trail’s development. Within the
City of Murrieta, the MCRT will add
approximately 6.3 miles to the
existing trail network, establishing
connections to popular local trails
such as Cole Canyon, Copper
Canyon, and Sycamore Ranch
(see Appendix F). The southern
section of the trail will extend into
the City of Temecula, requiring
multiple street crossings along
key intersections, including
Guava Street, Ivy Street, Kalmia
Street, and Vineyard Parkway.

In addition, a new mid-block
crossing on Calle Del Oso Oro
is proposed to link the Cole
Canyon and Sycamore Ranch
trails. To connect Cole Canyon
with Copper Canyon, the plan
recommends utilizing the existing
sidewalk along Calle Cipres
and the current crosswalk at
the intersection of Calle Del Oso
Oro. A proposed pedestrian and
bicycle bridge will link Sycamore
Ranch and Copper Canyon trails.

This bridge will provide a safe,
direct route between the two
trails, further enhancing the City’s
connected trail system.

Refer to Murrieta Creek Regional
Trail in Appendix E.

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67 Signage and Wayfinding
Signage and wayfinding are
essential for ensuring a safe and
enjoyable outdoor experience.

Wayfinding encompasses
signs, markers, maps, and other
navigational aids that help
hikers navigate trails effectively.

These tools not only prevent
hikers from getting lost, but also
assist them in making informed
decisions about route choices,
points of interest, and potential
hazards along the way. It also
supports emergency response
and trail maintenance activities
and provides information to the
public about trail conditions.

Providing signage and wayfinding
is one of the most cost-effective
upgrades for a trail network,
but it must be done thoughtfully
and systematically to maximize
the benefits. When done well,
signage and wayfinding can:
• Encourage Trail Use
Enhancing the visibility of the
trail network boosts users’
confidence in navigating it,
General Trail Recommendations
thereby improving their overall
experience and potentially
attracting new users.
• Increase Trail Safety
Signage and wayfinding
increases the visibility of the
trail to non-users, particularly
at road crossings. More
importantly, it improves trail
user knowledge of where
they are, and can facilitate
emergency response and
coordination based on
clearer communications
about incident locations.

Adding more signs and maps
alone will not produce the
intended benefits. The wayfinding
system must be thoughtfully
designed and implemented
to avoid visual clutter and
confusion. There should be a
consistent visual format and
sign/marker layout, including
symbols, logos, type styles and
sizes, and colors that help users
to quickly absorb key information
about their location and route.

A complete wayfinding
system includes:
• Trail network maps and
information – digital and
printed maps, brochures,
and websites
• Park and staging area
identification monument signs
• Trailhead regulatory
and information signs
• On-trail junction, confirmation,
and mile marker signs or posts
• Pavement markings – trail
identification, intersecting
roadways, mile markers,
user designations, guide
and warning striping
• Roadway crossing name and
warning signs on the trail
• Trail crossing name and
warning signs on the road
• On-street directional and
guide signs to trailheads
• Sharing trail route data with
a third party trail navigation
provider (e.g., AllTrails)
The following represents specific
recommendations for signage
that can be incorporated in the
City of Murrieta trail network:

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68 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Trail Sign Consistency
Consistent trail sign design can promote the
recognition of the City of Murrieta Trail System and
enhance the trail user experience. Trail signs should be consistent in design, color, and overall appearance to
help users feel informed and safe. Consistency can be
applied to a variety of signs, such as information and
regulatory signs, to enhance the overall experience of
trail users.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City develop a trail signs
guideline document to create cohesive signage
throughout the trail network. The guideline should
identify the specific set of standards (dimensions,
colors, location, usage characteristics) of the different sign types so all existing and future trails within the trail network can have a comprehensive development.

Trailhead Signage
Trailhead signs are a collection of signs that identify the specific trail and any regulatory requirements or warnings.

Few of the City’s trails have trail name markers and many of the users are not aware of which trails they are using. The lack of identification can be frustrating to users who are trying to use specific trails.

Recommendation
It is recommended that all trails have their name marked with a consistent set of trailhead sign or monument designs.

Combine trail name placards with maps and regulatory
signs in an organized, consistent layout that makes it easier to discern the different messages.

Waynding Design Standards
COLORS
Sign Backing
C: 100
M: 47
Y: 26
K: 4
Accent 1
C: 0
M: 32
Y: 86
K:

PANTONE 7705 C White PANTONE 143 C
0 Accent 2
C: 58
M: 32
Y: 88
K:

PANTONE 576 C
0 Sign Legend
C: 0
M: 0
Y: 0
K: 0

META PRO BLACK
FONTS
Trail name (all caps)
Meta Pro Bold
Destination names, general sign legend (-20 tracking)
Meta Pro Medium
Smaller sign legend (-20 tracking)
Meta Pro Condensed Medium Distances to destinations
Directional arrow
Cross-street directional arrow
Parking
Bathrooms
ICONS
Permitted
Prohibited
Welcome to the
Trailhead Sign

RANCHO ACACIAS
TRAIL
Please do: Please don’t:

Keep dogs on a leash
Pick up trash
Avoid wildlife
Avoid Poison Oak
Bring plenty of water
Walk o trails
Drink alcohol
Litter or vandalize
Pick wildflowers
Smoke anything
Example Wayfinding Design Standards
Example Trailhead Signage
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69 Travel Directional Signage
Trail directional signs provide routing information
to aid trail users through complex trail systems.

Directional signs can help users navigate splits in
the trail and also prevent accidents and injuries by
ensuring users stay on the intended route and avoid
hazardous areas. Many of the existing trails did not
have directional signage which made some trails,
such as Warm Springs Trail, challenging to navigate.

Recommendation
It is recommended that trail directional signs be
provided along trails and at junction points to clearly identify the trail routing. These signs should also include information such as dead-end trails and adjacent
parks and roadways at the trail heads so users can
determine which route they would like to take.

Roadway Crossing Signs
Roadway crossing signs identify the adjacent roadway,
which can help trail users locate themselves within the trail network. In most places, there is no information
about where a trail crosses a street. Currently, the
Trail Fitness Maps provide information about which
trail is being crossed and the continuation location
to the trail; however, these maps are sporadically
located and not near the trail entrances.

Recommendation
It is recommended that where trails and trailheads
intersect streets, consistent street name signs on
the trail, and trail name signs on the street, should
be provided to help trail users orient themselves,
and others to be aware of the location of the
trail and the trail entrance or crossing.

RANCHO ACACIAS TRAIL

0.1 Playground 0.1
Avenida Palizada
Whitewood Rd 0.3
Trail Conrmation Sign

RANCHO ACACIAS TRAIL

0.1 Avenida Miguel
Oeste
Willowbend Dr 0.1
Roadway Crossing Sign
Avenida Palizada
Example Roadway Crossing Signs
Example Directional Signage
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70 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Travel Mile Markers
Trail mile markers are signs with locational information that provide recreation benefits and enhance safety.

Trail users can utilize the sequentially numbered signs to track distances traveled. For safety, that same
numbering system can be utilized by the 911 operators
to better locate trail users in need of assistance and
provide details on access routes to the emergency
responders. No trail mile markers were identified
during the field visit and data collection process.

Recommendation
It is recommended a consistent marker style be
developed and implemented throughout the
City’s trail network. The distance between mile
markers should be no greater than 0.25 miles to
better track distances travelled and limit the search
area for emergency responders. Mile markers
should identify the respective trails. Mile markers
should be installed at the trail head so users can
identify the specific marker for use on that trail.

On-Street Trail Guide Signs
On-street trail guide signs provide information to motorists and other roadway users about the proximality of nearby trails. This type of sign increases the visibility of the trail network, encouraging use and increasing awareness for
trail users. There were no on-street signs found that direct drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, or cyclists to nearby trails.

Recommendation
It is recommended that on-street guide signs
be installed at all trail heads along roadways to
identify the adjacent trail and provide distances
and directions to other nearby trails.

RANCHO ACACIAS
TRAIL
Trail Mile Marker
Mile

2.0 On-Street Trail Guide Sign
RANCHO

ACACIAS
TRAIL
Example On-Street Trail Guide Sign
Example Trail Mile Marker
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71 Trail Design Standards
Each trail is designed to be a
natural outdoor element that
reflects the unique characteristics
of its environment, offering
consistency in overall design
while allowing for variation in
specific features. Though not
exact replicas, trails should adhere
to basic design principles such
as appropriate width, surface
materials, and safety standards.

The following trail design standards
have been reviewed from local
and regional reference material
including the U.S. Forest Service,
Riverside County trail standards,
and local municipality trail
design plans. The modification,
improvement, and future
development City of Murrieta
Trails Network should follow the
appropriate design standards
illustrated here and in concert
with any adjoining trail segment.

This process will ensure a cohesive
sense of place, reflecting the
character and values of the trails
network.

Trail Classification
The current trail network does
not differentiate between the
various types of trails other than
identifying the trail material type.

As part of the data collection and
field observation process for this
master plan development, the
existing trails were categorized
based on their trail material type,
overall width, recommended
usage, and observed difficulty.

Strict standardization among
multi-use trails or even segments
of the same trail is impractical
because of physical constraints
resulting from vast differences
in topography, soil type,
vegetation, and dissimilarities
in the type of trail use.

Standards are good, but flexibility
is necessary. Therefore, design
may vary among different trails
or segments of trails according
to development constraints
and various special conditions.

Actual trail widths need to be
determined according to the
level of use or projected level
of use. Nevertheless, certain
basic standards allowing for
flexibility and for the safety and
maintenance of the trail and
its related facilities should be
followed. The following categories
identified were inspired by the
United States Forest Services trail
classification but are augmented
to account for the types of
trails that are present in the
City of Murrieta trail network.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of
Murrieta adopt a trail classification
system to easily identify the
various types of trails present in
the trail network. This classification
system can be utilized to create a
consistent system of rating trails so
users understand the differences
associated with the trails they wish
to use. The classification should
be incorporated in trail maps and
other means of identifying the
trails in the City of Murrieta. The
following classifications and design
standards are recommended
for use in the City of Murrieta.

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72 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Trail Classifications Table
Type 1
Nature Trails
Type 2
Recreational
Trails
Type 3
Wide Dirt or
Utility Roadbed
Type 4
Greenbelt
Concrete Path
Type 5
Paved Multi-use
Trail: Asphalt or
Concrete
Trail Tread
Width 2-12 feet wide 8-14 feet wide 20-30 feet wide 5-8 feet wide 8-14 feet wide Minimum
Trail
Easement
16 feet wide 16 feet wide 40 feet wide 16 feet wide 16 feet wide Vertical
Clearance 12 feet 12 feet 16 feet 16 feet 16 feet
Optimum
Grade
1-8% (may vary
depend on
topography)
< 5%
1-8% (may vary
depend on
topography)
< 5% < 5%
Surface
Mix of soil and
finely to coarsely
broken rock
Packed
local soils,
decomposed
granite
Decomposed
granite
Concrete
sidewalks
Asphalt or
concrete
Additionally, the City of Murrieta maintains the Get Fit routes which encompasses five trails within the trail network. These routes should be noted within the classification system so users know which trails would be better options for a fitness focused activity.

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73 Trail User Classification
The current trail network only classifies users by
walking/jogging, biking, and horseback riding.

Field observations suggested that a more refined
user classification could better inform users of each
trail’s intended purposes. These are not necessarily
new classifications, but rather additional distinctions in the existing user types.

While the recommended user classifications align
with general trail characteristics, user types for
specific trails may be constrained based on the
context and location of the trail.

Walking / Jogging
Type 1
Nature Trails
Type 2
Recreational
Trails
Type 3
Wide Dirt or
Utility Roadbed
Type 4
Greenbelt
Concrete Path
Type 5
Paved Multi-use
Trail: Asphalt or
Concrete
Walking / Jogging Walking / Jogging Walking / Jogging Walking / Jogging Mountain Bike Mountain Bike Mountain Bike
Equestrian Equestrian Equestrian Family Friendly
Mobility
Assist Device
Mobility
Assist Device
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta consider
further distinguishing trail user types and specifying
the intended users for each trail. Additionally, trail
maps should clearly indicate these user types. These
user types should include, but are not limited to:
• Walking/Jogging
• Bicycles/Electric Bicycles
• Mountain Bikes
• Family-Friendly
• Equestrian
• Mobility Assist Devices
The following identifies potential trail user types to
the trail classifications previously presented.

Biking / E-Biking Biking / E-Biking
Family Friendly
Suggested Use: Suggested Use: Suggested Use: Suggested Use: Suggested Use:

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74 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Utilities
Development of trails may
conflict with existing utility lines or
corridors. While the use of these
corridors can be beneficial to
trail development, coordination
with the utility provider mush be
completed to ensure appropriate
use and access of the utility.

Recommendation
The City of Murrieta should
coordinate with local utility
providers regarding any trail
that utilizes a utility corridor.

To the extent possible, utility
boxes and vaults, manholes,
pole, lines or other above
grade utilities should be located
outside the trail easement.

Trail Drainage
Drainage is the most important
item in trail construction. It
requires a special study of the
precipitation, runoff, springs, and
streams in the area. Surface
water must be diverted from the
trail’s surface before it builds up
to an erosive force. The method
used to drain the trail will depend
on the quantity and speed of
the water and the type of soil in
the area. The best and simplest
drainage is to slope the trail
surface, 1 to 3 percent, to allow
the water to sheet off, rather than
run in a stream. Low grades help
prevent drainage problems; steep
grades allow the water to run
faster building up erosive force.

Recommendation
Trail drainage damage should be
reviewed on a scheduled basis
to determine where drainage
improvements could be made
to existing trails. Future trails
should be constructed with
appropriate drainage based
on the local conditions.

Trail Fencing
Fencing should be constructed
of materials that blend with the
surrounding community, are in
character with the recreational
nature of the trails, and that
weather well. Suggested
materials include wood such as
cedar or redwood, however,
alternative materials and design
may be allowed when consistent
with adjacent developments
including 3 rail polymer fencing.

Plantings such as trees, hedges,
or large rocks can also serve
as trail fencing or barriers.

Recommendation
Existing trail fencing should be
reviewed on a scheduled basis to
determine if any fencing needs
improvements. Any construction
of new fencing should be done in
coordination with City of Murrieta
staff and a licensed engineer.

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75 Environment
The trail system should be
designed in such a manner as to
respect the natural environment
of the immediate area. Trail
alignments should preserve
existing native and ornamental
vegetation by removing only
as much as necessary to
accommodate the trail. Trail
buffer widths may be limited in
sensitive areas in order to preserve
scenic amenities and valuable
habitat. Where trail alignments
include existing trees, particular
attention to preservation should
be incorporated into design
plans. Trail alignments should
respect natural landforms and
not require significant grading to
implement. Trail improvements
should be minimal and respect
the natural terrain and vegetation
in the immediate area.

Recommendation
The City of Murrieta should
coordinate the development
or redevelopment of any trails
with a trail designer to limit the
impact trail development has
on the existing environment.

Views
Trails should be designed to maximize scenic opportunities by aligning routes to capture natural vistas, such as mountains, rivers, or unique geological features. Careful consideration should be given to trail placement to offer viewpoints or rest areas at key locations with unobstructed, panoramic views. In areas with dense vegetation, selective clearing may be used to frame views, but only to the extent necessary to preserve the natural environment.

Recommendation
The City of Murrieta should coordinate the development
or redevelopment of any trails with a trail designer
to identify potential view opportunities.

Falcon’s View Trail
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76 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Trail Amenities
Trail amenities are essential components that enhance user access and elevate the overall experience. While often unnoticed unless absent, they play a crucial role in ensuring a positive trail experience. These amenities generally fall into two main categories: those situated at trailheads and those distributed along the trail itself. At trailheads, amenities can vary depending on the size of the trailhead or staging area. Additionally, different amenities may be appropriate at smaller access points scattered throughout the City. The following represents specific recommendations associated with different types of trail amenities on the City of Murrieta trail network:

Trailhead Amenities
Trailheads include all the access points to a
given trail. In many cases, these are simply
points where the trail meets a roadway or
parking facility. At a minimum these locations
should each provide the following amenities:
• Trail signage including a map of the trail,
trail specific information, and rules
• QR code to website with trail map
• Dog waste stations
Recommendation
It is recommended that all trails in the
City of Murrieta trail network include the
identified amenities at each trailhead.

Trailhead Sign Supplemental Trail Map QR Code
Scan for trail map
Welcome to the

RANCHO ACACIAS
TRAIL
Please do: Please don’t:

Keep dogs on a leash
Pick up trash
Avoid wildlife
Avoid Poison Oak
Bring plenty of water
Walk o trails
Drink alcohol
Litter or vandalize
Pick wildflowers
Smoke anything
Scan for trail map
DRAFT
Example Trailhead Supplemental Trail Map QR Code
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77 Staging Area Amenities
Staging areas are the major access points to a trail
system or a popular trail. These locations should
provide the same amenities at the trail head and
when possible, provide additional amenities such as:
• Adequate parking
• Bike racks
• Restrooms
• Drinking water
• Picnic tables
• Benches
• Shade structures
• Dog waste stations
Recommendation
It is recommended that large trails such as
the Rancho Los Alamos Trail System and Cole
Canyon Trail provide staging areas that attempt
to incorporate these types of amenities.

On-Trail Amenities
The need for specific amenities along trails
varies greatly depending on the type and
location of the trail. The only elements
recommended for every type of trail are:
• Trail directional signage
• Mileage markers
Other amenities that should be considered
along trails include the following:
• Benches
• Picnic tables
• Dog waste stations
• Educational information signs
Recommendation
It is recommended that every trail have trail
directional signage and mile markers. Other amenities
identified should be considered for implementation
depending on perceived use and applicability.

Steet Light Banner
Example Street Light Banner
Sample of Educational Information Sign
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78 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Trail Maintenance Operations
Maintaining the trails within the City of Murrieta is crucial for the overall success of the trail network.

These trails serve multiple uses from outdoor recreation to alternative transportation routes. Ensuring trails are well-maintained promotes safety and security, makes them accessible spaces for all to enjoy, and ultimately contributes to an improvement in quality of life for all users. The following represents specific recommendations that can be incorporated in the City of Murrieta trail network maintenance operations:

Adopt-A-Trail Program
The City of Murrieta has an existing Adopt-A-Trail program for some trails within the network. The City’s Adopt-A-Trail Program allows individuals, families, organizations and businesses the opportunity to help the community by assisting with removal of litter and reporting maintenance concerns.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta continue the Adopt-A-Trail program. City staff should meet with current program sponsors to determine what aspects of the program may dissuade others from participating. The program should be reviewed to determine which of the policies of the program could be altered to increase participation.

Murrieta Fix It App
The Murrieta Fix It app allows persons to report local issues like potholes and graffiti or damaged trees, playground equipment, street signs, and sidewalks. The app integrates on both Android and Apple smartphones along with an internet portal for reporting issues. The City tracks requests and assigns staff to address issues as they arise.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta continue to use the Murrieta Fix It app and provide information about the program and identify how to download the app at all trailhead signage. This could be done using a QR code on regulatory signs. The app can be used for trail users to report problems to City staff on an ongoing basis.

Trail Volunteer Program
Currently, the City does not have an established trail volunteer program.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City develop and promote a trail volunteer program utilizing volunteers and assigning individual trails for trail maintenance projects. Engage Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, or high schoolers to encourage and provide community service hours.

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79 Identifying Trail Routes
Some of the trails within the City of Murrieta trail
network have poorly defined paths and are
misaligned with the existing data utilized by the
City. This inaccuracy can make the utilizing of
these trails less safe due to uncertainty about trail
route, length, and terrain. While directional signage
installed along trails will be helpful to alleviate the wrong turns along the route, having an accurate
route before starting a trail would be beneficial for
the user and emergency responders, if needed.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta
coordinate with a professional firm, or consider
coordination with the California Conservation
Corps, to develop accurate mapping and
distances of all trails within the network. This
data should be incorporated on the trail maps
produced by the City, placed on their external
Geographic Information System (GIS) interface,
and shared with emergency responders.

Review Out-of-Service Trail Access Points
During site visits, it was discovered that some trails
have access points which have been closed
using a gate or other barrier. Closed access points
were identified on Cole Canyon Trail at Willow
Court and Rancho Los Alamos Trail System at
Pictor Avenue and Ariel Street. At this time, there
is no information as to why the access points
have been closed. Accessibility is important for
the continued use and enjoyment of the trails.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta
consider reopening the closed access
DRAFT
points to increase access to the trails.
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80 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Traffic Calming and Improved Visibility
Implementing traffic calming measures and improving visibility around trailheads can improve the experience for trails users and enhance safety in the area. Slowing down vehicular traffic can reduce the risk of injuries associated with traffic collisions. Increasing visibility of trail users can provide vehicles and other roadway users the opportunity of more time to react to avoid a collision. Improving the interaction between trailheads and roadways will have a positive effect on all trail users throughout the network. The following represents specific recommendations that can be incorporated in the for improving traffic calming and visibility on the trail network.

Increase Trail User Visibility at Trailheads
Improving visibility of trail users around roadways
can be an important aspect of improving safety
around trailheads. The more visible a person is
to a driver, the higher enhancement to safety
in that area. The increase of visibility can come
from a mix of providing a large enough area
for trail users to wait or trimming vegetation to
increase the stopping sight distance of vehicles.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta
coordinate with the Public Works Department
to conduct a review of sight triangles for
stopping sight distance at all trailheads to
appropriately accommodate the stopping
distance if a trail user were to enter the roadway.

In addition, trailhead entrances should be
reviewed to determine if the storage space
is sufficient for typical trail user conditions.

Lowering Roadway Speeds Adjacent to
Trailheads, Staging Areas, and Crossings
California Assembly Bill (AB) 43 allows local
governments the ability to lower speed limits by
five miles per hour of the 85th percentile speed
in proximity to areas of high concentration
of pedestrian and bicycle activity. Trailheads
and staging areas could be considered areas
of high pedestrian and bicycle activity within
the City of Murrieta. Research has shown that
reductions in vehicle speed can reduce injuries
in collisions. Reduction in vehicle speed around
trailheads, staging areas, and crossings can
help reduce injuries due to potential collisions.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta consider
the use of AB 43 regarding setting speed limits
around trailheads, staging areas, and crossings.

DRAFT
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81 Improved Trail Roadway Crossings
Similar to the increased trail user visibility at
trailhead, improvements to trail roadway
crossings can enhance safety on specific trails.

Many of the existing trails that require a roadway
crossing currently lack crossing treatments. The
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office
of Safety prepared the report STEP: Improving
Visibility at Trail Crossings FHWA-SA-21-123
(FHWA, 2021), which presents a systemic
approach to reviewing crossings to improve
the crossing experience by identify engineering
countermeasures, such as enhanced signs and
traffic controls. Furthermore, the document
describes safety issues and countermeasures
for several most frequent types of trail crossings
and introduces a process for reviewing trail
crossing locations for opportunities to reduce
the chances of fatal or severe injury crashes
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta
utilize the methodology presented in FHWASA-21-123 to identify and implement potential roadway crossing treatments to all existing and
future trail crossings. These treatments could
include, but are not limited to, installation
of warning signs and crosswalk markings,
implementation of traffic control devices,
or altering the physical features of the area
to reduce speed and improve visibility.

Source: Federal Highway Administration
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82 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Trail Citywide Map
The existing citywide trail map has
been updated based on the work
completed as part of this MTMP.

This map has updated many
of the trail routes and includes
information such as restroom and
parking availability along with
trail length, trail material type,
and width. It is intended that this
map be provided on the City of
Murrieta website, for residents
and visitors to access, to help
users determine where trails are
generally located within the City.

Additionally, this map should be
downloadable via a QR code
presented at the trailhead.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City
of Murrieta continually update this
map when new trail route data
is collected or when new trails
or amenities are developed.

Trail Cut Sheets
Each existing trail within the City’s
trail network was mapped on a
single page to provide additional
amenity information beyond
the citywide map. This includes
parking locations, trail roadway
crossing locations, access points,
restroom locations, segment
lengths, and trail difficulty. It is
intended that these maps be
provided on the City of Murrieta
website for residents and visitors
to access to determine the
specific location and amenities
of each trail. Additionally, the
associated map should be
downloadable via a QR code
presented at the trailhead.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City
of Murrieta continually update
these maps when new trail route
data is collected or when new
trails or amenities are developed.

Trail Mapping and
Data Management
The mapping of the City of
Murrieta trail network can be a
benefit to the users, operators,
and emergency responders
of the network. Accurate
maps can identify distances
associated with specific trail
segments, trailhead locations,
parking, trail amenities, and other
aspects that may not be readily
available to first time visitors. The
City of Murrieta has had a trail
map system developed on a
Geographic Information System
(GIS) database that has been
utilized for previous trail-related
material and studies. Throughout
this master planning effort, many
of the trails were mapped with
Geographic Positioning Service
(GPS) devices to improve the trail
route identification and layout in
this GIS database. Based on the
work done to date, the following
are a series of recommendations
for the mapping of the City
of Murrieta trail network:

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83 Trail GIS Data
The trail route data collected as part of this trails master plan has been stored in a GIS database for future use in the development of the maps identified above or for providing information to City staff when needed, regarding the trail network. This GIS data should be kept up to date with new information regarding the addition of new trails, amenities, or connections. Additionally, this data could be used to identify and catalog maintenance needs for specific trails.

Recommendation
It is recommended that the City of Murrieta maintain the GIS database of the trail network to provide trail-based data when needed and keep maps up to date. Community Services Deapartment (CSD) staff will provide updates to the GIS team via internal communication avenues. It is also recommended that the City verify the GIS database corresponds with information on open-source platforms such as AllTrails.

City of Murrieta Public GIS Hub Displaying City Trails
Source: City of Murrieta
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84 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Example Trail Amenity
Improvement Maps
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85 The following section presents a selection of example trail amenity enhancements that could be implemented on a selection of City trails. The trails included in this section were identified in coordination with the City for field review and data collection. The review process outlined here identifies example improvements that could be considered for all trail segments within the City.

To implement trail improvements, the City will have to regularly evaluate and capitalize on opportunities as they become available. To accomplish this the following trail review process should be implemented on a regular basis.
• Regularly assess trail conditions for required maintenance improvements, • Regularly assess community input and recreational needs concerning trail system, • Foster cooperative partnerships with local private communities / new developments, Riverside County and neighboring municipalities to promote trail connectivity, • Develop and maintain public trail programming and information campaigns, • Develop a multi-department collaborative effort that meets annually to review and update trail improvement funding strategies based on established priorities.

Amenities featured on the following maps include signage and wayfinding, trail amenities, and proposed trail connections. These maps are not intended to dictate the exact locations for new or upgraded amenities but to highlight potential areas where such amenities could be strategically placed to significantly improve the overall user experience. This flexible approach allows for adaptability based on further community input and site-specific considerations.

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86 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
California
Oaks Trail
Trail Width: 5-8 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #1
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Dog waste station
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
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87 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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88 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Cole
Canyon
Trail Width: 4-12 feet
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
TRAIL #2
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
drinking
nches)
atments
ge
igns
ns
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Proposed Trail Connection
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Out of Service Access Point
Parking Lot
Roadway crossing treatments
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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89 N
Proposed Trail Connection
Proposed
Staging Area
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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90 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Copper
Canyon Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 ft
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #3
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Restroom
Parking Lot
Roadway crossing treatments
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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91 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
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92 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Falcon’s
View Trail
Trail Width: 4-8 ft
Trail Difficulty: Strenuous
TRAIL #5
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Roadway crossing treatments
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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93 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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94 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Las Brisas
Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #6
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Roadway crossing treatments
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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95 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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96 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Lincoln
Ranch Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #7
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Recommended Amenities
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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97 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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98 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Los Alamos
Hills Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #8
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Proposed Trail Connection
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Restroom
Parking Lot
Roadway crossing treatments
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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99 N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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100 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Mapleton
Trail West
Trail Width: 5-8 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #11
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Proposed Trail Connection
Proposed
Staging Area
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Restroom
Parking Lot
Proposed
Trail Con
nect oi n
Roadway crossing treatments
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
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101
N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
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102 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Pond Park
Trail
Trail Width: 5-8 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #13
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Proposed Trail Connection
Potential under-bridge
trail connection
Roadway crossing treatments
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
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103
N
Proposed
Trail Connection
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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104 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Rancho
Acacias Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #15
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Roadway crossing treatments
Picnic tables/benches
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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105
N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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106 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Sycamore
Ranch Trail
Trail Width: 8-14 feet
Trail Difficulty: Easy
TRAIL #17
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Roadway crossing signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Roadway crossing treatments
Dog waste station
Recommended Amenities
Pedestrian/bicyclist bridge
Critical Linkage to
Copper Canyon Trail
DRAFT
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107
N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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108 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Toulon
Trail
Trail Width: 4-12 feet
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
TRAIL #18
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage
Roadway crossing treatments
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
DRAFT
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109
N
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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110 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Warm
Springs Trail
Trail Width: 2-5 feet
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
TRAIL #19
Walk
or Jog
Bike or
E-bike
Mountain
Bike
Family
Friendly
Equestrian
Trail directional signage
On-street Trail guide signs
Trailhead signage
Recommended Signage Proposed
Staging Area
Trail Access Point
Existing Amenities
Parking Lot
Roadway crossing treatments
Recommended Amenities
Dog waste station
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111
N
a
Proposed Trail Connection
Proposed Trail Connection to Pond Park Trail
Example Trail Amenity Improvement Maps
DRAFT
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112 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
The ability to implement the
recommendations identified will be
important in the continued development
of the trail network. The recommendations
can be implemented in isolation
or combined as part of a larger
improvement strategy. Table 1 identifies
the relative costs as dollar signs and time
to implement as clocks to the right.

Note:
1: Assumed as the Murrieta Oaks Trail to Las Brisas
Trail connection identified in the recommendations
section.
2: Assumes incorporation of new trail system and
development of associated signage and other trail
amenities.
3: The details of future new trails are based on
potential development which is not yet known at this
time. Associated costs and time are speculative to
provide a general estimate of expectation.
4: Assumes an unpaved trail approximately 1 mile
in length. Cost and time projections applies to one
unpaved trail approximately 1 mile in length.
5: Trailhead and on-trail amenities can vary
depending on the type and quantity of amenities.

Assumption is for a paved trail approximately 1 mile in length with bench and dog station at two trailheads
and information signage along trail.
6: Staging area amenities can vary depending on
the type and quantity of amenities. Assumption is for
one staging area with restroom, water fountain, and
bench.
7: Assumes one high visibility marked mid-block
crosswalk with rectangular rapid flashing beacons
(RRFB).
8: The maintenance of GIS data is considered an ongoing need which has no definitive ending.

Implementation Recommendation Relative
Cost
Relative Time
to Implement
Proposed Trail Connections
New Sidewalk Connections $
New Trail Connections1 $$$$$
Proposed Trail Additions
New Trail Incorporation2 $$$$$
Future New Trails3 $$$$$
Signage and Wayfinding
Traffic Sign Consistency $$
Trailhead Signage4 $
Roadway Crossing Signs4 $
Trail Directional Signage4 $
On-Street Trail Guide Signs4 $
Trail Amenities
Trailhead Amenities5 $$
Staging Area Amenities6 $$$$$
On-Trail Amenities5 $$
Trail Mainenance Operations
Adopt-A-Trail Program $
Murrieta Fix It App $
Identifying Trail Routes $$
Traffic Calming and Improved Visibility
Increase Trail User Visibility at
Trailheads $$$
Lowering Roadway Speeds
Adjacent to Trailheads,
Staging Areas, and Crossings
$$
Improved Trail Roadway
Crossings7 $$$$
Traffic Classification System
Trail Classification System $
Trail User Classification
Trail User Classification $
Trail Mapping and Data Management
Trail Citywide Map $
Trail Cut Sheets $
Trail GIS Data8 $$
$: ≤$25,000
$$: $25,000-$50,000
$$$: $50,000 - $75,000
$$$$: $75,000 - $100,000
$$$$$: ≥$100,000
≤3 mos.
3 mos.– 6 mos.
6 mos.– 1 year
1-2 years
≥2 years
Table 1 (Right)- Recommendation Cost
and Time to Implement
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113
As the City of Murrieta continues
to grow, trail usage and user
needs will increase. While current
needs may focus on specific
trails or issues, implementing
various recommendations now
can help address future trail
usage more effectively. Some
recommendations can be applied
universally across the trail network,
while others may be specific to
certain trails.

The City should prioritize
implementing recommendations
related to signage and wayfinding
across all trails as these are
relatively low-cost and quick
to execute. Additionally, trail
maintenance, mapping, and
data management should either
continue or be implemented
promptly to maintain the physical
condition of the trails and ensure
accurate mapping of the trail
network.

Although recommendations such
as traffic calming measures and
trail amenities are also important
for various reasons, they come
with higher costs and longer
implementation times. It is crucial
to balance the implementation of
faster, cheaper recommendations
with lower resource demands and
the investment needed for more
expensive recommendations.

City staff should continue
collaborating with residents and
trail users to identify the most
appropriate recommendations for
the trail network.

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114 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
To successfully implement the
recommendations outlined
in the Murrieta Trails Master
Plan (MTMP), a strategic
approach to staffing, funding,
and resource allocation will be
essential. Ensuring that sufficient
maintenance crews are available
to care for the expanded and
improved trail network is a top
priority. This includes developing
routine maintenance schedules,
addressing issues such as erosion,
trail uplift, and signage upkeep,
and potentially expanding
staffing levels to meet these new
demands.

Next Steps
will help preserve the integrity
of the trail network for future
generations.

Coordination between City
Departments and community
stakeholders will be vital to
maintain momentum and
address any challenges that
arise during implementation. The
following graphic outlines each
recommendation and the time to
implement.

Securing funding is critical for
both immediate and long-term
implementation of the MTMP.

A diverse approach to funding
should include leveraging capital
improvement funds, applying
for State and Federal grants,
and exploring public-private
partnerships. Allocating these
resources strategically will allow
for phased development and
ensure that priority projects are
addressed first. Additionally,
establishing an ongoing funding
mechanism for trail maintenance
Recommendation Short-Term
(FY 2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY 2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY 2035-Beyond)
KEY RECOMMENDATION #1: TRAIL CONNECTIONS AND ADDITIONS* New Trail Connections
Warm Springs Trail to Pond Park Trail X X
Warm Springs Trail to Rancho Los Alamos Trail X X
Copper Canyon Trail to Cole Canyon Trail X X
Sycamore Ranch Trail to Cole Canyon Trail X X
Murrieta Oaks Trail to Las Brisas Trail X X
New Sidewalk Connections
Los Alamos Hills Trail to Rail Ranch Trail X
Mapleton Trail West to Mapleton Trail East X
Mapleton Trail West to Mapleton Trail North X
New Trail Incorporation
Develop Murrieta Hills Specific Plan Trails X
Future New Trails
Develop Whitewood Road Trail X
Develop Murrieta Creek Regional Trail X X
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115
Recommendation Short-Term
(FY 2025-2030)
Mid-Term
(FY 2030-2035)
Long-Term
(FY 2035-Beyond)
KEY RECOMMENDATION #2: SIGNAGE AND WAYFINDING*
Develop and implement of uniform signage for all 19
city trails including trailhead signage, roadway crossing signage, directional signage, travel mile markers, and
on street trail guide signs
X X
KEY RECOMMENDATION #3: TRAIL CLASSIFICATION AND DESIGN STANDARDS Adopt trail classification standards X
Adopt trail user standards X
Adopt trail design standards X
KEY RECOMMENDATION #4: TRAIL AMMENITIES*
Add trailhead amenities X X
Add staging area amenities X X
Add on-trail amenities X X
KEY RECOMMENDATION #5: TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Promote Adopt-A-Trail program X
Promote Murrieta Fix It app for trails X
Identify trail routes and access points X
Develop trail network maintenance program X X X
KEY RECOMMENDATION #6: TRAFFIC CALMING AND IMPROVED VISIBILITY* Increase trail visibility at trailheads X
Evaluate and research roadway speed adjacent to
trailheads, staging areas, and crossings and implement
as needed
X
Research and prioritize which trail roadway crossings
need improving and implement as needed X
KEY RECOMMENDATION #7: TRAIL MAPPING AND DATA MANAGEMENT Develop and promote citywide trail map X
Develop trail cut sheets (digital, printed, and QR code to place on trail signage) X X
Maintain and update trail GIS data X X X
*Recommendation will have a capital cost impact and will require capital funding to implement.

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116 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Funding
Each year, billions of dollars are
invested by federal, state, and
local agencies to improve the
transportation system. Some
of that money is specifically
identified for planning,
developing, and improving
pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

While securing funding can be
competitive, various opportunities
exist. It is important to note that
funding from agency programs is
not guaranteed and is subject to
availability. The following section
identifies funding opportunities
that may be available for the
City of Murrieta trail network.

Federal Fundiing
Opportunities
Federal Highway Administration
(FWHA) Recreational
Trails Program (RTP)
The Active Transportation
Infrastructure Investment Program
(ATIIP) is a new competitive grant
program created by the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law to construct
projects to provide safe and
connected active transportation
facilities in active transportation
networks or active transportation
spines. ATIIP projects will help
improve the safety, efficiency, and
reliability of active transportation
networks and communities,
improve connectivity between
active transportation modes and
public transportation, enhance
the resiliency of on- and offroad active transportation infrastructure, help protect the
environment, and improve
quality of life in disadvantaged
communities through the
delivery of connected active
transportation networks and
expanded mobility opportunities.

ATIIP grants are administered by
the FHWA. Local governments
are eligible to apply for funds
as long as planning and design
grants requests have planning
and design costs of at least
$100,000 and construction
grants have construction
costs of at least $15 million.

Eligible projects include trails,
pedestrian facilities, bikeways,
and other routes that serve as
backbones to connect two
or more communities with no
funding match required.

State Funding
Opportunities
Active Transportation
Program (ATP)
The Active Transportation
Program (ATP) was created to
encourage increased use of
active modes of transportation.

The ATP consolidates existing
federal and state transportation
programs, including the State
Highway Account, Transportation
Alternatives Program (TAP),
Bicycle Transportation Account
(BTA), and State Safe Routes
to School (SRTS), into a single
program with a focus to make
California a national leader in
active transportation. The ATP is
administered by the Division of
Local Assistance, Office of State
Programs. Local governments are
eligible to apply for ATP funds.

Eligible projects vary from
planning-based projects to
development of new infrastructure
with no funding match required;
however, the ATP does advise
that trail projects that are primarily
recreational should meet the
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federal requirements of the
Recreational Trails Program,
as such projects may not be
eligible for funding from other
sources; however, trails that
serve active transportation
purposes (such as multi-use
paths, Class I bikeways, etc.)
are fully eligible in the ATP and
need not meet the Recreational
Trails Program requirements.

California Natural Resources
Agency Urban Greening
Grant Program
The California Natural Resources
Agency Urban Greening Grant
Program was developed to
fund projects that provide a
wide variety of benefits such
as environmental, health,
and community revitalization
throughout the State. The
proposed 2024 – 2025 state
budget has the fund being
appropriated from the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Fund (GGRF). Eligible urban
greening projects will reduce GHG
emissions, mitigate the effects
of extreme heat, and provide
multiple additional benefits. Local
governments are eligible to apply
for Urban Greening Grant funds.

The grant is administered by the
California Natural Resources
Agency. Eligible projects
include the development
of recreational trails. No
funding match is required.

California State Parks Habitat
Conservation Fund (HCF)
The Habitat Conservation Fund
(HCF) is intended to provide
grants to local entities to
protect fish, wildlife, and native
plant resources, to acquire or
develop wildlife corridors and
trails, and to provide for nature
interpretation programs and
other programs which bring
urban residents into park and
wildlife areas. The fund allocates
approximately $2 million each
year to seven unique categories.

Eligible projects include nature
interpretation programs to bring
urban residents into park and
wildlife areas, protection of various
plant and animal species, and
acquisition and development
of wildlife corridors and trails.

The HCF is administered by OGALS
and local governments are
eligible to apply. The fund does
require a dollar-for-dollar match.

Local Funding
Opportunities
Developer Impacts Fees
As a condition for development
approval, local agencies
can require developers to
provide certain infrastructure
improvements, which can include
active transportation projects.

These projects have typically
provided bicycle and pedestrian
facilities on or along the roadway
near the associated project;
however, these fees could be
utilized to develop a trail facility
in proximity to the project. Care
should be taken to demonstrate a
clear nexus between the project
and the mandated improvement
to avoid legal challenges.

New Construction
With the City of Murrieta
still growing, there is ample
opportunity for new residential
and commercial development.

This growth presents the potential
for further expansion of the trail
network. New construction could
be conditioned to require the
development of new trails or
connections to existing ones,
enhancing the trail network in
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118 MURRIETA TRAILS MASTER PLAN
Incorporating Trail Installation and Connectivity in
New Developments
To ensure that new developments contribute to
the city’s trail network, coordination between
the Planning Department and the Community
Services Department (CSD) is essential. As part
of the development review process, these
departments can collaborate to identify
opportunities for new trail installations or
connections to existing trails.

This practice is already in place to some extent,
with CSD reviewing project plans to determine
where trail connections would be most beneficial.

Formalizing this process by incorporating clear
trail connectivity requirements into development
conditions will strengthen the city’s commitment
to expanding and enhancing its trail network,
improving access to recreation and active
transportation for all residents.

Establishing Trail Connectivity as a Development
Requirement
To ensure continuous and well-integrated
trail connections throughout the city, a more
formalized approach to requiring trail connectivity
in new developments is necessary. Currently,
trail planning relies on the General Plan and
designated areas where trails have been preapproved. However, incorporating explicit trail connectivity requirements into zoning codes or
development standards would provide a more
consistent framework for implementation.

By integrating these requirements into the
development review process, City staff can
systematically evaluate proposed projects
and identify opportunities to condition trail
connections as part of project approvals. This
approach will help create a comprehensive
and interconnected trail network that supports
active transportation, recreation, and community
mobility.

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