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Park Board backs resolution to limit golf carts to one short Greenway Trail segment
Summary
The Franklin City Park Board approved a resolution forwarding an amendment to trail rules that would allow golf cart traffic only on a single marked segment of the Greenway Trail and raise fines for unauthorized motorized vehicles on trails.
Franklin City Park Board on Oct. 16 voted to adopt a resolution recommending the Common Council consider an ordinance amendment that would permit golf carts on a single, marked section of the Greenway Trail and increase fines for unauthorized motorized vehicles.
Board members moved and seconded to adopt Resolution 20 2502 and voiced unanimous assent. The resolution accompanies a draft Common Council ordinance (referred to in the meeting as “Ordinance 25 0 9”) that updates a trail-use ordinance first adopted in February 2016. The board’s action forwards a favorable recommendation to the Board of Works and city council for their consideration.
Park staff said the change responds to safety and connectivity issues created by recent road construction on State Road 31, which the staff said prevents some subdivisions from making the same golf-cart crossings they previously used. The amendment would designate one section of Greenway Trail — adjacent to the playground shown on the city map presented at the meeting — as the only trail segment where golf carts may be driven. That segment would be marked with lane striping and signage and would require turn restrictions at a nearby cemetery entrance that staff said are intended to prevent golf carts from entering other trail sections or adjacent neighborhood streets.
Staff described enforcement as a police function and said the ordinance updates fine amounts for motorized-vehicle violations on trails to $150, $300 and $500 for repeat offenses, replacing earlier lower fines. Staff also said they confirmed the trail clearance under the bridge was wide enough for golf carts to pass a bicycle or another cart.
Park staff told the board the drafting team — staff and the city engineer — had considered alternatives, including routing carts through a longer section of trail and wetlands that would have dumped carts farther from the downtown; staff said those options were less desirable. The board’s favorable recommendation now sends the draft ordinance to the Board of Works and city council for final action.
Board members and staff acknowledged enforcement and compliance will be a challenge and that signage and pavement markings are part of the planned compliance measures.
The resolution and the proposed ordinance text shown at the meeting include the new language and penalties in red; staff asked the Park Board to forward the resolution to city leaders with a favorable recommendation so council can consider it at an upcoming meeting.
The board approved the resolution by motion and voice vote.
