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the project. Finally, active citizens' • Using an exiting non-profit ter along the river. Further south,
<br /> advocate groups participating on group. This is a chicken-and-egg three development corporations
<br /> the local level are essential question, whether one creates an are cooperating with the City of Lit-
<br /> organization to build a trail,or cre- tleton in a riverfront master plan to
<br /> ates a trail project for an existing blend residential, office, and com-
<br /> Case Study: organization.Whichever came first, mercial developments with over a
<br /> Arapahoe Greenway/ the group provides leadership, a mile of the Arapahoe Greenway.
<br /> Platte River Trail focus for support, and a vehicle for • Bringing keypeople tothe trail
<br /> contributions. corridor. The foundation has held
<br /> The Platte River Greenway has be- • Having a definite goal. The several tours to show elected offi-
<br /> come a well known example of an goal was simple—to reach Chatfield cials and project sponsors the com-
<br /> urban river recreation project. Pub- reservoir—but specific. Progress pleted and planned trail. Showing
<br /> lic support developed the ten miles can be measured, and participants off accomplishments gives a feeling
<br /> of trail within the Denver city limits feel they are part of an accomplish- of continual progress and clarifies
<br /> as part of a complex project of flood ment rather than a concept. the trail's benefits.
<br /> control and urban rehabilitation • Tying in with larger projects. • Involving legislators. Founda-
<br /> along the river corridor.As a spine The Colorado Greenway Project tion board members never miss an
<br /> for a series of loop trails and access loop trail and the Army Corps of opportunity to lobby the area's state
<br /> along tributary streams and canals, Engineers flood-control project,for legislators. These officials also vote
<br /> the Platte River Greenway is the example. on the lottery allocation for trails
<br /> most important trail in the Denver • Working with existing trail funding, state highway funds, and
<br /> metropolitan area. The South Sub- plans. The Arapahoe County exten- outdoor recreation legislation.
<br /> urban Park Foundation,established sion of the Platte River trail has been Keeping successful projects in view
<br /> in 1979"to enrich the environment on trail master plans for years, in- of the legislature helps build sup-
<br /> and improve open space and rec- cluding the 1974, 1980, and 1985 port for trails at the highest political
<br /> reational amenities for residents in State Recreational Trails Master level.
<br /> the South Suburban communities Plans. No one needed to be con- • Using an appropriate consul-
<br /> of metropolitan Denver," de- vinced of the importance of the tant. While the consulting firm,
<br /> termined that extending the trail project. Urban Edges,Inc.,has considerable
<br /> was critical. • Building on precious efforts. trail-development experience, it
<br /> In addition, the state legislature As in other endeavors,continuing a subcontracts working drawings,
<br /> contributed $300,000 of Colorado successful trails effort is easier than water engineering, and other tech-
<br /> Lottery revenue. None of this fund- starting a new one.Acknowledging nical work. As part of the contract,
<br /> ing, however, went toward South previous efforts, of course, is es- however, the consultant assists in
<br /> Suburban's project.The foundation sential. fundraising presentations, public-
<br /> felt it was important to keep its sep- • Breaking theproject into man- ity,trail tours,and what amounts to
<br /> arate visibility and to clarify its own ageable pieces. Rather than solicit community development work.
<br /> goal of extending the Platte River funds for a giant, multi-million- • Making the most of publicity.
<br /> trail to Chatfield State Recreation dollar project,organizers identified The foundation publishes a news-
<br /> Area. In the same way that 22 agen- sections of a mile or less and tied letter quarterly, speaks on the
<br /> cies and municipalities gave funds them into other efforts.The first link project, and sends out news re-
<br /> and support to the loop trail, the reached Bear Creek in concert with leases regularly. While publicity
<br /> South Suburban Park Foundation the loop trail; the second helped costs money and time, it is a good
<br /> solicited funds from every town in complete one town's open space investment.
<br /> its area. In addition to a $125,000 plan;the third was planned with the
<br /> challenge grant from the Gates Corps of Engineers channelization; Case Study
<br /> Foundation, more than 100 in- the fourth involves commercial Mesa County/Colorado
<br /> dividuals, associations, and busi- riverfront development. River Trail
<br /> nesses gave to the effort. • Seeking cooperation from de-
<br /> Following is a summary of the velopers. The first trail link involved A serious effort was made in the
<br /> efforts involved in building political donations of both right-of-way and early 1970s to develop a trail along
<br /> and community support for the Ara- cash from the Phillip Nolan Com- the magnificent Colorado River
<br /> pahoe Greenway/Platte River Trail: pany,developers of a business cen- through Grand Junction in western
<br /> 28/NOVEMBER 1987/P&R
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