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life, and inspired other towns in depressed areas is "economic de- an effective sales device. Each trip,
<br /> western Colorado.Becoming an ac- velopment." The trail, especially however,was seen as a fun event in
<br /> knowledged leader brings a great through the city, is tied in to river- itself, with hiking, birdwatching,
<br /> deal of pride and continued politi- front rehabilitation. One design socializing, a chance to enjoy the
<br /> cal support. shows a linear park along the river outdoors. To celebrate receiving a
<br /> • Identifying a demonstration as part of redeveloping the city's in- trail construction grant, trail sup-
<br /> project. A project linking two sec- dustrial zone. The success of these porters joined the State Parks Board
<br /> tions of existing bikeways will be a kinds of projects throughout the for a picnic.Such events are a good
<br /> major contribution and an example country can help convince political lure for television coverage.
<br /> for future efforts. It also establishes and business leaders that trails and
<br /> a specific goal for fundraising. parks are important to urban Case Study
<br /> • Finding a corridor that works. revitalization and improving a city's Cation City/Arkansas Rives'
<br /> Planners originally envisioned the image. Trail
<br /> along the river bank,but prob- • Stimulating volunteer partici
<br /> lems with easements led to a new pation. The local Audubon Society For 25 years, Wes Carhartt has
<br /> route through a scenic wildlife area became a project sponsor, and thought about a trail along the
<br /> on the right-of-way of an adjacent when it became clear that the coun- Arkansas River through Canon City
<br /> canal. Flood plain zoning will give ty needed help, offered to help in south central Colorado. In 1980,
<br /> the county more control over the build and maintain the trail as an- several Canon City citizens met to
<br /> riverfront in the future as develop- other Aubudon group had done in walk along the river, research the
<br /> ment takes place.The City of Grand the City of Pueblo. Finding a strong corridor's ownership, and put
<br /> Junction, however, has established core group can provide the neces- together a plan for a trail. The
<br /> ownership of the flood-control sary focus for public participation. following year the group presented
<br /> levees and is not as limited by pri- • Bringing the public into the their plan,now known as the Arkan-
<br /> vate ownership.Willingness to com- project. Planners conducted a series sas Riverwalk,to the Canon CityMet-
<br /> promise and find creative trail of public meetings to increase the ropolitan Park and Recreation Dis-
<br /> • routes can make the difference in a project's visibility. Invitations to key trict. Continuing to publicize the
<br /> project's success. people, radio and newspaper plan, the Steering Committee
<br /> • Encouraging cooperation notices, and the Audubon Society's obtained endorsements for the trail
<br /> from business interests. PepsiCo, grapevine achieved the best results. from the Recreation Board, the Lin-
<br /> Inc., the local utility company, and Presenting the trail plans and asking coln Park Sanitation District, the
<br /> two construction firms along the for ideas stirred up excitement and Daily Record newspaper,and mem-
<br /> trail route granted free trail ease- generated a list of active trail sup- bers of the city council, County
<br /> ments. A business along the trail porters. A special meeting with the Board of Commissioners, and the
<br /> may welcome the exposure and county commissioners enabled school district.
<br /> positive association. Other firms supporters to speak directly to their The sanitation district, which
<br /> contribute as a community service elected officials. owns land along the river,agreed to
<br /> and encourage political support. • Creating a project strategy. As a greenbelt on their property if the
<br /> • Using tourism to sell the trail. too many meetings can burn out the recreation district would manage it.
<br /> As a tourist attraction, the river is brightest idea, organizers decided In 1982, the two agencies signed a
<br /> simply unknown. Approaching the to form a steering committee of a lease agreement, followed by an
<br /> city across the bridges, visitors are few dependable supporters. This agreement to purchase a 3-1/2-mile
<br /> dismayed by junked cars lining group worked directly..with._the_, right-of-way owned by the Santa Fe
<br /> parts of the river and b} its in- project sponsors, providing input,r Railway.The price of$15,000 for the
<br /> accessibility elsewhere. Emphasiz- critiquing design ideas, selecting a ten-acre parcel depended on com-
<br /> ing recreation and tourism poten- consultant, and reporting on prog- pleting the purchase byyear-end for
<br /> tial helped gain the assistance of the ress.They established timelines and tax purposes.Citizen support,com-
<br /> visitor and convention bureau, recruited new supporters. mitted local officials and agencies,
<br /> which has ties with the chamber of • Publicizing the trail through and a Colorado Greenway Project
<br /> commerce and business interests. field trips.One very successful effort trail construction grant are making
<br /> • Participating in urban was a series of field trips along the the Arkansas Riverwalk a reality.
<br /> • redevelopment efforts. The magic trail corridor.Getting key people to Following is a summary of the
<br /> phrase in Mesa County and other see the beauty of the river area was project:
<br /> P&R/NOVEMBER 1987/31
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