11-27-1990 PTRC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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gloom of the economic boom- turned-bust, the county abolished its own parks department and cut Fourteen Ways to Develop, Fund, back on others.When the dust had and Maintain Your Urban Trail(s) settled,it was clear that political sup- port for the river trail was nonexis- ■ Put together a citizens'com- and publicizing the good tent,except for a couple of survivors mittee. The group's make-up works of others. in the Planning Department. These will change over time, but ■ Use the talents and resources People picked up the trail project committee citizens and in- of others. Attract a wide vari- yet again,and this time started with fluential community leaders ety of supporters to the the determination to build enoughcitizen and government support to are essential. project, put them to work at ensure success. ■ Examine the feasibility of the what they know best, and The Colorado River Trail has project. Research land provide opportunities for reached the construction phase a ownership, physical and so- volunteers. ter three years of widespread effort. ty I cial concerns, and communi- ■ Exploit every publicity.oppor- Many of the old problems have been needs: tunity. Be shameless about overcome as new ones surface. ■ dentify funding sources, using publicity; your project Some lessons from this project in Federal, state, local, business, must become part of the building political and community foundations, and the public. common knowledge of the support are summarized below: ■ T Identify potential supporters. entire community. • Overcoming past problems. There are many groups, in- ■ Get key people to visit the Negative feelings left over from past nesse als, agencies, and busi- site. No slide show, presenta- failures can sink the most de- national—that local and tion or appeal is as convinc termined effort.The problems were national—that are interested• in as a walk aloe the trail in civic improvement proj- g g identified, acknowledged, and ad- corridor. dressed with new ideas. Circum- ■ Selll the concept. Make per- ect ■ Create a realistic develop- stances do change, but obstacles sonal contacts, try to reach ment plan. Agree on a clear may endure. everyone, have all the an- goal, establish a level of de- • Involving state agencies. swers, and make others be- velopment appropriate to Three state agencies were inter- lieve in the project as strong- your resources, and commit ested in the project.The Division of ly as you do. everything to actually build- Local Affairs helped plan and coor- ■ Make the connections. Es- ing the trail. dinate low-cost student research a tablish the project in. every w Developmanagement and design projects.The Division of known planning effort, fit it plan. Agree on who covers, Wildlife wanted to build trails at its into other projects, and build liability, who will maintain wildlife refuge on the river and sup- on past accomplishments. the trail, and how it will be ported other trails as part of habitat ■ Emphasize the positive. Stress used and managed. improvement.The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation had es- t the benefits of the project, ■ Be flexible and tenacious. tablished a Sate Trails Program make it irresistible to those Sheer energy and will are a who need to be identified must, with the goal helping local com- but sometimes a con- with ties plan and build trails. Most with positive achievements, cept needs years to take states now have similar programs and listen to their good root. You must keep the ideas. project alive, establish it through their Department of Nat- ural Resources.Investigating the re- ■ Acknowledge support and firmly in the minds of com- sources of state government may assistance. Create good will munity and political leaders, turn up interest in surprising places. by giving recognition, and be prepared to,take • Becoming a leader in trails de- encouraging cooperation advantage of any opportunity velopment. Mesa County's persist- among groups and agencies, that comes along. ence with its project has encour- aged latent trail projects with Grand junction and the Division of Wild- 30/NOVEMBER 1987/P&R