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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-27-1990 PTRC Meeting Minutes w CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, NOVEMBER 27 , 1990 Call to Order • The regular meeting of the Arden Hills Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7 : 40 P.M. by Chairman David Sand. Roll Call Present: Chairman David Sand, Carol Johnson, and Don Messerly. Absent Keith Enrooth, Tom Mulcahy, Mark Magers, Alan Montgomery, Dorothy McClung, and Pattie Green. Also Present Councilmember Tom Mahowald, Program Supervisor Cindy Severtson, and Parks Director John Buckley. MINUTE APPROVAL Minutes of the September 25 meeting were approved as mailed. � v COUNCIL REPORT Councilmember Mahowald reported: - Park dedication for Group Health Inc. - agreed to pa $49 , 000 to the Park Fund. Payment would be made over the next three years. - Results of the citizen's survey were distributed to the committee. Citizen responses to the Park & Program questions • were discussed. - Truth in Taxation meeting was discussed. PARK DEVELOPMENT Buckley reviewed the report prepared for the Trail Subcommittee. The length of the trails were measured with the Public Works measuring wheel . The costs were calculated by multiplying the trail linear footage by $8 . 00 . The Committee decided to continue the trail development discussion at their January meeting. 1990 PARK UPDATE Buckley reviewed the projects completed this past summer. 1990 BUDGET COST Hazelnut Shelter $15, 000 new $2 , 846 remodeled old one Lindey's Landscaping 1, 000 450 AH/Shoreview Rotary Clubs Valentine Play Structure 9 , 000 9 , 000 Trail Development 25, 000 12 , 020 Hazelnut Trail New Park Signs 964 Safety Gates 21229 Engineer Fees i ', 'i 2 , 876 • $ 30, 385 Page 2 November 27 , 1990 Park Minutes MISC PROJECTS • - Approximately four weeks was spent in removing storm damaged trees from City parks and streets. - Sampson Park - topsoil added, regraded, seeded. - Valentine Park - topsoil addes, regraded, seeded. - New park signs were placed in the City parks. - New park safety gates were installed in various parks this fall. STATE GRANT Buckley reported that he has secured a grant application from the MN Dept. of Trade & Economic Development. All grant money has been allocated for 1991. Grants submitted this winter would be for 1992 development. YARD & Don Messerly reported that the yard beautification LANDSCAPE winners for 1990 are: RECOGNITION Mr. and Mrs. James Schioner & Kari, 1478 Lametti Lane, Mrs. Melva Pierce, 3316 New Brighton Rd. , Fred & Eleanore Gilbertson, 3308 New Brighton Road, Tom & Kathy Goserud, 4350 N. Hamline, and Mark & RaVonn Petersen, 4468 N. Hamline. All received certificates of excellence from the City at the November 13 Council meeting. PROGRAM UPDATE - Dept. has received a strong response from the Fall programs. Participants and parents have been asked to fill out program • evaluations . The evaluations have been positive. - Winter program flier is being finalized and will be mailed with the December Town Crier. The fees for the programs have been increased to cover 1991 program costs. - It is getting increasingly difficult to find suitable school space for programs during the fall and winter. Severtson is presently reviewing potential program space in private schools and Lake Johanna Fire Station halls. Councilmember Mahowald volunteered to check with St. Odelia for possible program space. - Chairman Sand showed the committee the attractive City News brochures he received from New Brighton and Shoreview. Both brochures combined City news with Park and Rec. news. Since the Town Crier has extensive readership in the community, it was suggested that Arden Hills upgrade their newsletter. MISC. BUS. Community Flower Gardens - The Committee felt that the flower gardens was a good community project. Two suggestions were made for 1991. - Increase the size of the flower beds in the gateway locations. - Recruit volunteers to plant and maintain the beds in 1991. • Page 3 , November 27 , 1990 PARK COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR 1991 - . Buckley will phone committee members regarding interest in serving on the committee for 1991. There will be no meeting in December for the committee. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE • xlev J � el C - °` (e L4. / I i✓�1��1 ✓�c� ,,�.-yam Z�d�/ . cql Al ✓�� RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT 2015 N.Van Dyke Street Telephone(612)777.1707 RAMSEY COUNTY Maplewood,Minnesota 55109.3796 Fax(612)777-6519 Gregory A.Mack,Director P A R K S A N D R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N TO: Trails Advocates and Professionals FROM: Bill Frank, Commission Member SUBJECT: Ramsey County Trails Advocacy Network DATE: December 20 , 1990 The Task Force for St . Paul and Ramsey County Parks , which met during 1988 and 1989 , culminated their work with a "Plan for Parks , Trails and Open Space . " That plan ( a 122-page document tha was distributed to all Par`- cTs an_ Recreation Directors and Mayors within Ramsey County) recommended the formation of parks and recreation commissions for both St. Pau an amsey ounty. Bo U T o r 7 F ese were orme wring mid-Y990 an are very active in aking t e ini iative for implementing elements of the plan. Many of the recommendations of the Task Force related to trails and bikeways . The Ramsey Counter Parks and Recreation_ Com fission, chaired by Bob Net ercut , is charged with the responsibility for formu�_lating reco—m endations concerning the planning, development and operation of parks, open space and trails for the County. I have been spearheading the trails part of that char e . The area of trai s and bikeways is a very comp ex issue -- made even more complex by the large number of municipalities and other agencies involved. As a first step, I have identified a "Ramsey County Trails Advocacy Network" that includes the key players in the trails movement within Ramsey County. This network is not meant to be a convening committee , but rather a conduit for exchanging information. Because trails have been identified as a major component of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission' s charge , the Commission itself will serve as a County-wide Trails . Advisory Committee with input from the members of the Trails Advocacy Network . An important role of our Commission is to create a County-wide comprehensive plan for trails that will help guide future trail development within the County. In that regard, our next step is to update the inventory of existing and proposed trails within own y. a inventory will include trails/bikeway s wiE'F n regional , County and municipal parks , along with those associated with roadways -- whether off-road, alongside roadways or bike lanes on roadways . We also want to identify the schedule for implementing proposed trail segments . ,....gin, • Trails Advocates and Professionals December 20 , 1990 Page Two During early 1990 , at the request of the Ramsey County League of Local G nments ( RCLLGY, Larry Holmberg, Ramsey County' s Acquisition and Development Supervisor , comps e a ase map--of-'tth; County showing ex i 1 an p anne ra"1 s an ike lanes . Each municipality-should have recei ed one e tr_om--tTe RCLLG.^ An addition-TT copy is being sent, under separate cover , to the individuals listed in the first column of the Trails Advocacy Network matrix. A lot of new construction occurred during 1990 and many other trails didn' t get included on the original map. We need your help in updating this map. Specific instructions will accompany tFe map, calling for updated information from your community ( or agency) as soon as possible , but no later than February 1 , 1991 . Please respond to this call for information. The follow-up step, after incorporating your input on the base map, will be to have an open forum meeting in March to discuss a inven-Eory-and a com�1re ensive trails plan for Ramsey County. This will prove e opportune y to see how each municipality' s trail programs mesh with those of adjacent municipalities and the County. The agenda may be expanded to include other trails advocacy issues . I have enclosed a copy of the initial version of the Ramsey County Trails Advocacy Network which includes separate listings of addresses, agencies , telephone numbers , etc . Additionally, a copy of a ye_ry useful article by Stuart H. McDonald on "Building Support for Urban Trails, " taken from tie Na tonal Recreation and Park Association s Par an ecreation" magazine , is enclosed. Please supply updated information for the Trails Advocacy Network to me , Bill Frank . We may have overlooked some individuals and, in some cases , you may prefer to designate someone else for the trails coordination responsibility. Please let us know of any additions or corrections . Your comments and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your cooperation and support . On behalf of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission and staff, we look forward to working with you. WF/clm Enclosures RAMSEY COUNTY TRAILS ADVOCACY NETWORK CITY: PARK&REC. DIR. : PUBLIC WORKS DIRPR TR . : CITIZEN COMM/COORD BD BD SEY Greg Mack 777-1707 Kenneth Weltzin Bill Frank 484-5068 Y Y OUNTY Larry Holmberg 298-4127 Bob Nethercut P&R Ch 777-1707 481-7239 1ARDEN John Buckley Dan Winkel David Sand HILLS 633-5676 429-4443 y N 1989 Jerrold 636-4384 FALCON Carole Krieger `Vince Wright HEIGHTS 644-5050 644-5050 Y Willard Anderson Willard Anderson Nora Gille 645-3153 LAUDERDALE (mayor) 631-0300 631-0300 (Vol. P&R Coord) LITTLE Jim Morelan Dave Harris CANADA 484-2547 day 484-2177 Y 484-2177 eve. Robert Odegard Ken Haider MAPLEWOOD 770-4570 770-4550 y N Mary Saarion Rick Minetor MOUNDSVIEW 784-3055 633-1533 Y N EW Maurice Anderson Les Proper IGHTON 633-8906 631-3736 Y N NORTH Steve Roe Dave Kottelnik ST. PAUL 770-4471 770-4463 Y N Bob Bierscheid Steve Gatlin Bill Frank ROSEVILLE 490-2281 490-2226 Y y 484-5068 Bob Piram Tom Eggen 298-4241 Richard Arey y ST. PAUL 298-4126 Leon Pearson (Engr) 290-0309 y 292-6277 Anne Kelley- P&R Ch Gerald Haffeman Charles Ahl Mark Stange y y SHOREVIEW 484-3353 348-2090 483-5373 Dan Collins 482-9467 VADNAIS Martin Walsh Joe Momson HEIGHTS 429-5343 429-5343 WHITE BEAR Dave Guenther Ron Peltier LAKE 653-2722 429-8566 Y WHITE BEAR Tom Walczeak Tom Walczeak OWNSHIP 429-5827 429-5546 Version 1, 12-20-1990 OTHER AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS MN DEPT.OF Paul Swenson, Dir. Dan Collins NATURAL 296-4822 Tom Danger ESOURCES 296-6048 Trails Planning Trails Operations MN DEPT.OF Greg Pates 296-1650 Jim Dustrude TRANSPORT. 297-1838 Bicycle Ping. Unit Bicycle Policy MN.PKS&TRL Judith Erickson COUNCIL & 291-0715 Tom Dwight 426-0571 FOUNDATION METRO Jack Mauritz Arne Stefferud Tom Dwight 426-0571 COUNCIL 291-6602 291-6360 Larry Kitto (Ch. ) FRIENDS OF Peggy Lynch ST.P&RAMS. 698-4543 CTY. PARKS MN.COALTN. Mike Miller BICYCLISTS 296-0237 (at DNR) 645-6243 (R) ROLLERBLAD Joe Janasz IN-LINE 944-6726 SKTG.ASSOC MN. STATE Kirby Beck, Chairm Jim Dustrude BICYCLE 755-8341 ? Marsha Soucheray OARD 297-1838 484-6056 MN. DEPT. PUBLIC Mike McBride SAFETY 636-4990 12-10-1990 • DIRECTORY FOR RAMSEY COUNTY TRAILS ADVOCACY NETWORK ARLES AHL MAURICE ANDERSON OREVIEW PUBL.WORKS NEW BRIGHTON PK&REC R. PUBLIC WORKS DIR. PKS. &REC. DEPT 4665 N. VICTORIA 1975 SILVER LAKE RD SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112 TELE: (W) 484-3353 (H) 426-8133 TELE: (W) 633-8906 (H) 462-5384 RICHARD AREY BOB BIERSCHEID ST. PAUL PKS&REC COMM. ROSEVILLE PKS&REC. COMM. PKS&REC.COMM. DIR. PKS. &REC. DEPT. 534 LAUREL AVE #6 1114 WOODHILL DR ST. PAUL, MN 55102 ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 TELE: (W) 348-2090 (H) 290-0309 TELE: (W) 490-2281 (H) 488-3187 JOHN BUCKLEY DAN COLLINS ARDEN HILLS PKS. &REC MN.DEPT. OF NAT.RES. DIR. PKS&REC. DEPT TRAILS PLANNING UNIT 1450 W. HWY. 96 BX 50, 500 LAFAYETTE ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112 ST. PAUL, MN 55146 TELE: (W) 633-5676 (H) 674-8527 TELE: (W) 296-6048 (H) 482-9467 TOM DANGER JIM DUSTRUDE MN DEPT. OF NAT.RES. MNDOT BICYCLE PLANNG. TRAILS OPERATIONS BICYCLE POLICY BX 50, 500 LAFAYETTE 807 TRANSP. BLDG. ST. PAUL, MN 55146 ST. PAUL, MN 55155 TELE: (W) (H) TELE: (W) 297-1838 (H) 722-8090 THOMAS DWIGHT TOM EGGEN 0•PKS&TRLS.COUNC. &FOUND 'N. ST. PAUL PUBLIC WORKS .MN. PTCF BOARD DIRECTOR 43 DAHLIA ST 600 CITY HALL ANNEX MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115 ST. PAUL MN TELE: (W) 291-5162 (H) 426-0571 TELE: (W) 298-4241 (H) JUDITH ERICKSON BILL FRANK MN.PKS&TRL.COUNCIL&FOUNDATION ROSEVILLE PARK&REC COMM. EXEC.DIR. MN.PTCF COMM. -PK&REC. COMM E-1311 1ST NATL BK B 438 IONA LANE ST. PAUL, MN 55101 ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 TELE: (W) 291-0715 (H) TELE: (W) 733-7387 (H) 484-5068 BILL FRANK STEVE GATLIN RAMSEY CTY.PK&REC COMM. ROSEVILLE PUBL.WORKS COMM. -PK&REC. COMMISS DIR, PUBLIC WORKS DEPT. 438 IONA LANE 2660 CIVIC CTR. DR ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 ROSEVILLE, MN 55113 TELE: (W) 733-7387 (H) 484-5068 TELE: (W) 490-2226 (H) 429-0630 NORA GILLE DAVID GUENTHER LAUDERDALE VILLAGE WHITE BEAR LK COMM. SERV. &REC VOLUN. PKS&REC.COORD DIR. -PKS&REC. 1820 LAKE ST. 2399 CEDAR AVE LAUDERDALE, MN 55113 WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110 TELE: (W) (H) 645-3153 TELE: (W) 429-5371 (H) 429-1619 GERALD HAFFEMAN KEN HAIDER S OREVIEW PKS&REC DEPT. MAPLEWOOD-PUBL. WORKS W. , PKS&REC DEPT. DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT 6 5 N. VICTORIA ST 1830 E CTY RD B SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 MAPLEWOOD, MN 55117 TELE: (W) 484-3353 (H) 786-2829 TELE: (W) 770-4550 (H) DAVE HARRIS LARRY HOLMBERG TTLE CANADA-PUB.WORKS RAMSEY CTY PKS&REC. R. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT PARKS DEVELOPM. SUPVR. 0.1'5 LITTLE CAN. RD 2015 N. VAN DYKE ST LITTLE CANADA, MN 55109 MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 TELE: (W) 484-2177 (H) TELE: (W) 777-1707 (H) 647-0978 JOE JANASZ DAVE KOTTELNIK ROLLERBLADE, INC. N. ST.PAUL-PUBL.WORKS DIR. -R. I. S.A. DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT 9700 W. 76TH ST 2526 7TH AVE EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344 NO. ST. PAUL, MN 55109 TELE: (W) 944-6726 (H) 869-3289 TELE: (W) 770-4463 (H) CAROLE KRIEGER PEGGY LYNCH FALCON PKS&REC. FRIENDS OF STP&R.CTY. PARKS DIR. PKS&RS&REC DEPT. EXEC. DIR-FRIENDS. . 2077 LARPENTEUR AVE 1621 BEECHWOOD AVE FALCON HEIGHTS, MN 55113 ST. PAUL, MN 55116 TELE: (W) 644-5050 (H) TELE: W ( ) 698-4543 (H) 698-4543 GREGORY MACK JACK MAURITZ RAMSEY CTY PARKS DEPT. METRO COUNCIL DIR. , PKS&REC.DEPT. PARKS COORDINATOR 2015 N. VAN DYKE ST. 230 E. 5TH ST MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 ST. PAUL, MN 55101 TELE: (W) 777-1707 (H) 483-6582 TELE: (W) 291-6602 (H) 474-5618 MIKE MILLER RICK MINETOR MINN.COAL.OF BICYCLISTS MOUNDS VIEW PUBL.WKS fTAIRMAN DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT 500 LAFAYETTE 2401 HIWY 10 . PAUL, MN 55146 MOUNDS VIEW, MN 55112 TELE: (W) 296-0237 (H) 645-6243 TELE: (W) 633-1533 (H) JOE MOMSON JIM MORELAN VADNAIS HTS PUBL.WKS LITTLE CANADA PKS/REC. DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT DIR. PKS&REC. DEPT. (eves. ) 687 E CTY RD F 515 E. LITTLE CANADA VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN 55110 LITTLE CANADA, MN 55117 TELE: (W) 429-5343 (H) TELE: (W) 484-2177 (H) 484-2547 (day) THOMOND R. O 'BRIEN ROBERT ODEGARD MAPLEWOOD PKS&REC 480 GRANDHILL DIR. PKS&REC. DEPT. ST. PAUL, MN 1830 E. CTY. RD. B MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 TELE: (W) 224-0043 (H) 227-4351 TELE: (W) 770-4570 (H) 429-2403 BOB NETHERCUT GREG PATES RAMSEY CTY. PARKS&REC. COMM. MNDOT BICYC. PLNG.UNIT CHAIRMAN-PKS&REC. COMM. TRANSP. PLANNER 4550 GALTIER 807 TRANSP. BLDG. SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 ST. PAUL, MN 55155 TELE: (H) 481-7239 TELE: (W) 296-1650 (H) 722-4689 LEON PEARSON RON PELTIER ST. PAUL PUBL.WORKS WHITE BEAR LK-PUB.WORKS 'o D LANDSCAPE ENGINEER DIR.-PUBLIC WKS DEPT Y HALL ANNEX-8th Flr. 1884 WHITAKER AVE PAUL, MN 55102 WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110 TELE: (W) 292-6277 (H) TELE: (W) 429-8566 (H) ROBERT PIRAM LES PROPER 0 PAUL PKS. &REC. NEW BRIGHTON PUB-WKS PT. PKS&REC. DIV. DIR.-PUBLIC WKS DEPT W 4TH ST CHA R300 803 5TH AVE NW ST. PAUL, MN 55102 NEW BRIGHTON, MN 55112 TELE: (W) 298-4126 (H) 699-4283 TELE: (W) 631-3736 (H) 633-7198 STEVE ROE MARY SAARION N. ST. PAUL PKS&REC MOUNDS VIEW PKS&REC. DEPT. DIR. PARKS&REC. DIR. PKS/REC/FOREST 2526 7TH AVE E 2401 HIWY 10 N. ST. PAUL, MN 55109 MOUNDS VIEW, MN 55112 TELE: (W) 770-4471 (H) TELE: (W) 784-3055 (H) 786-4438 DAVID SAND MARSHA SOUCHERAY ARDEN HILLS PKS.COMM MN. STATE BICYC. BD. CHAIR. PK&REC.COMM. BOARD MEMBER 1989 JERROLD 5355 HODGSON RD. ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112 SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 TELE: (W) (H) 636-4384 TELE: (W) (H) 484-6056 MARK STANGE ARNE STEFFERUD SHOREVIEW TRAILS T. F METRO COUNC.PKS&OPEN SPACE CHAIR. TRAILS/BIKEWAYS T. F SR. PARK PLANNER- 655 EVERGREEN CIRC 230 E. 5TH ST SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 ST. PAUL, MN 55101 TELE: (W) (H) 483-5373 TELE: (W) 291-6360 (H) 772-4367 PAUL SWENSON TOM WALCZEAC DNR-DIV. OF PARKS & RECREATION WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP SECTOR-TRAILS & WATERWAYS DIR. PKS&REC. & PUBL.WORKS op LAFAYETTE RD 1281 HAMMOND RD ST. PAUL, MN 55155 WHITE BEAR TWNS, MN 55110 TELE: (W) 296-4822 (H) 436-7024 TELE: (W) 429-5827 (H) MARTIN WALSH KENNETH WELTZIN VADNAIS HTS.PKS&REC. RAMSEY CTY-PUBL. WORKS SUPT. PKS&REC.DEPT. DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT 687 E. CTY. RD. D 350 ST. PETER ST#270 VADNAIS HTS. , MN 55110 ST.PAUL, MN 55101 TELE: (W) 429-5343 (H) 484-0024 TELE: (W) 298-4127 (H) DAN WINKEL VINCE WRIGHT ARDEN HILLS-PUB.WKS. FALCON HTS. PUBL.WKS DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT DIR. -PUBLIC WKS DEPT 1450 W. HIWY 96 2077 LARPENTEUR AVE ARDEN HILLS, MN 55112 FALCON HTS, MN 55113 TELE: (W) 633-4443 (H) TELE: (W) 644-5050 (H) Version 1, 12-20-1990 For additions, deletions, corrections, or comments please contact: Bill Frank, 438 Iona Lane, Roseville, MN 55113 484-5068 (H) 733-7387 (W) 0 S u p up r Urb Trails By STuART H. MACDONALD r. f t • r. - ....f.� .. �,f.'n•a..•. •..-..... ,' T -;::'• Yew�iH1,MP.y�¢r' wilding urban trails has R ■ changed dramatically in this - post-urban renewal era. No longer do we hear the voice of the ` federal agency looking for a few good fundable projects. The new big issues are funding, user fees, r, r.« . .: . and private sector involvement, not __�; l: -- -- " Because of public planning, programs, and social re- +; r' and private coopera- ,; ` search. As we examine ways to get tion, support, and trails built under uncertain circum- publicity, cyclists of stances, there is one fact we must - all ages can use face: trails in face: no urban trail is going to get �I Col- orado. Pictured at built without solid political and ! `�:,� left and on the pre- community support. ceding page is the Another fact we must face is that Arapahoe Green- in a society so committed to moto- `-� way/Platte River rized transportation, urban trails _ Trail, which runs for and pedestrian facilities are seen a5 ,�. - -: ten miles within the ;•- Denver, CO city a luxury. People expect trails in the >s ts> " - limits. mountains and parks for the"pure" recreation of weekend trips and urban trails. trail plan identifies available corri- vacation time. Much has been writ- Urban trails are different from dors, so trail development means ten about the trend toward urban other types of pedestrian facilities picking the top priority and pursu- recreation, but we are still waiting because they are separated from ing it. Sometimes an opportunity for the energy crisis that actually roadways. Emphasizing landscap- comes along, like a major flood- forces people to go to a city park ing or natural environments, es- control project or railroad instead of a national park. In fact, sentially they are linear parks using abandonment, to which the trail records are set every year for a wide variety of corridors. The project may be tied. Multiple use of wilderness and back-country trail three projects discussed here use a corridor is especially appropriate use. stream corridors, which in Col- in urban areas and is often a wav to What has changed is the increas- orado are as attractive on the arid enhance funding and public sup- ing numbers of people using urban plains as in mountain towns. There port. Other opportunities for mov- trails.The number of cyclists in the is hardly a town here of any size that ing a trail project to the head of the U.S. is about 80 million, or 31 per- does not have a river or creek run- priority list are a new park and rec- cent of the population (Wall Street ning through it, providing an reation study, new land develop- Journal,April 21, 1986,p. 5D).The opportunity for some kind of trail ment, highway improvement, in- 1982-1983 Nationwide Recreation development. Other suitable corri- volvement of a major firm, urban Survey of the U.S.Department of the dors include power lines and pipe- redevelopment, and changes in Interior shows a rise in bicycling lines, road rights-of-way, irrigation political leadership.The complexity from nine percent of respondents canals, drainageways, and aban- of these projects usually means that to 28 percent in 1982. While the doned railroads. it can take years for a trail to get study indicates 26 percent run or When establishing a trail, one of built, and a project that has already jog,in 1960"running was limited to the main concerns is the complexity gathered political and community a relatively few young athletes. It of the route's ownership.Neighbor- support will be the one that goes was considered so insignificant as hood linkages, access to open ahead rapidly when the right oppor- not to warrant inclusion in the 1960 space,and scenery are also criteria, tunity emerges. In almost all cases National Recreation Survey (which but in the urban setting these quasi- there is a local jurisdiction—town, included rock.climbing)!" Finally, industrial corridors are attractive city, park district or county- 53 percent were found to walk for alternatives. pushing the project.While state and pleasure,compared with 14 percent How do urban trails get built? federal agencies may be of great involved in day hiking. All of these Selecting a suitable trail route is the help, in urban areas you need a activities increase the demand for first step. In many areas, a regional specific local agency committed to MR/NOVEMBER 1987/27 the project. Finally, active citizens' • Using an exiting non-profit ter along the river. Further south, advocate groups participating on group. This is a chicken-and-egg three development corporations the local level are essential question, whether one creates an are cooperating with the City of Lit- organization to build a trail,or cre- tleton in a riverfront master plan to ates a trail project for an existing blend residential, office, and com- Case Study: organization.Whichever came first, mercial developments with over a Arapahoe Greenway/ the group provides leadership, a mile of the Arapahoe Greenway. Platte River Trail focus for support, and a vehicle for • Bringing keypeople tothe trail contributions. corridor. The foundation has held The Platte River Greenway has be- • Having a definite goal. The several tours to show elected offi- come a well known example of an goal was simple—to reach Chatfield cials and project sponsors the com- urban river recreation project. Pub- reservoir—but specific. Progress pleted and planned trail. Showing lic support developed the ten miles can be measured, and participants off accomplishments gives a feeling of trail within the Denver city limits feel they are part of an accomplish- of continual progress and clarifies as part of a complex project of flood ment rather than a concept. the trail's benefits. control and urban rehabilitation • Tying in with larger projects. • Involving legislators. Founda- along the river corridor.As a spine The Colorado Greenway Project tion board members never miss an for a series of loop trails and access loop trail and the Army Corps of opportunity to lobby the area's state along tributary streams and canals, Engineers flood-control project,for legislators. These officials also vote the Platte River Greenway is the example. on the lottery allocation for trails most important trail in the Denver • Working with existing trail funding, state highway funds, and metropolitan area. The South Sub- plans. The Arapahoe County exten- outdoor recreation legislation. urban Park Foundation,established sion of the Platte River trail has been Keeping successful projects in view in 1979"to enrich the environment on trail master plans for years, in- of the legislature helps build sup- and improve open space and rec- cluding the 1974, 1980, and 1985 port for trails at the highest political reational amenities for residents in State Recreational Trails Master level. the South Suburban communities Plans. No one needed to be con- • Using an appropriate consul- of metropolitan Denver," de- vinced of the importance of the tant. While the consulting firm, termined that extending the trail project. Urban Edges,Inc.,has considerable was critical. • Building on precious efforts. trail-development experience, it In addition, the state legislature As in other endeavors,continuing a subcontracts working drawings, contributed $300,000 of Colorado successful trails effort is easier than water engineering, and other tech- Lottery revenue. None of this fund- starting a new one.Acknowledging nical work. As part of the contract, ing, however, went toward South previous efforts, of course, is es- however, the consultant assists in Suburban's project.The foundation sential. fundraising presentations, public- felt it was important to keep its sep- • Breaking theproject into man- ity,trail tours,and what amounts to arate visibility and to clarify its own ageable pieces. Rather than solicit community development work. goal of extending the Platte River funds for a giant, multi-million- • Making the most of publicity. trail to Chatfield State Recreation dollar project,organizers identified The foundation publishes a news- Area. In the same way that 22 agen- sections of a mile or less and tied letter quarterly, speaks on the cies and municipalities gave funds them into other efforts.The first link project, and sends out news re- and support to the loop trail, the reached Bear Creek in concert with leases regularly. While publicity South Suburban Park Foundation the loop trail; the second helped costs money and time, it is a good solicited funds from every town in complete one town's open space investment. its area. In addition to a $125,000 plan;the third was planned with the challenge grant from the Gates Corps of Engineers channelization; Case Study Foundation, more than 100 in- the fourth involves commercial Mesa County/Colorado dividuals, associations, and busi- riverfront development. River Trail nesses gave to the effort. • Seeking cooperation from de- Following is a summary of the velopers. The first trail link involved A serious effort was made in the efforts involved in building political donations of both right-of-way and early 1970s to develop a trail along and community support for the Ara- cash from the Phillip Nolan Com- the magnificent Colorado River pahoe Greenway/Platte River Trail: pany,developers of a business cen- through Grand Junction in western 28/NOVEMBER 1987/P&R t d f 4r � ; • !r'G' � i. C it�. _ _ Colorado. A Greenbelt Foundation planning at every level of govern- nunciation of the entire greenbelt was formed which gathered con- ment,we may forget the importance concept. It may be that the time for siderable public interest, including of planning as an orderly way of the trail project had not vet arrived, a board of directors composed of reaching a goal. that not enough broad-based sup- influential local citizens. Ten years Another problem was mainte- port was in place.Certainly the sim- later, however, only a short, little- nance. With the migrations of the ple idea of public access to the river used section of trail was in place, late 1960s came transients who took had been buried in a plan that and the county-owned parkland up residence along the river. What turned out to be too vague and along the river was closed to the efforts the county made at law ambitious for the time. In any case, public. How had such a well- enforcement are no longer remem- people continued to ignore the riv- organized effort faded into a bad bered, but the result was a per er through the oil-shale boom years memory? One problem was failing manent closure of all the public when resources were available for to establish the greenbelt system open space.A final blow to the foun- many other public works projects. firmly in city and county master dation was its widely-publicized in- It was not until 1984 that another plans. tent to acquire a strip of parkland for attempt at establishing the Colorado Ineffective long-term planning miles along the river. As innocent River Trail was made. Mesa County for the entire region hurt trails as and logical as that idea may be, it applied for and received a grant for much as any fault of the Greenbelt shocked farmers, landon•ners, and trail construction through the state's Foundation. Todav, after the last anyone with a vague distrust of gov- Division of Parks and Outdoor Rec- decade's frenzy of planning and re- ernment into an emotional de- reation. However, in the deepening P&R/NOVEMBER 1987/29 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 life, and inspired other towns in depressed areas is "economic de- an effective sales device. Each trip, western Colorado.Becoming an ac- velopment." The trail, especially however,was seen as a fun event in knowledged leader brings a great through the city, is tied in to river- itself, with hiking, birdwatching, deal of pride and continued politi- front rehabilitation. One design socializing, a chance to enjoy the cal support. shows a linear park along the river outdoors. To celebrate receiving a • Identifying a demonstration as part of redeveloping the city's in- trail construction grant, trail sup- project. A project linking two sec- dustrial zone. The success of these porters joined the State Parks Board tions of existing bikeways will be a kinds of projects throughout the for a picnic.Such events are a good major contribution and an example country can help convince political lure for television coverage. for future efforts. It also establishes and business leaders that trails and a specific goal for fundraising. parks are important to urban Case Study • Finding a corridor that works. revitalization and improving a city's Cation City/Arkansas Rives' Planners originally envisioned the image. Trail along the river bank,but prob- • Stimulating volunteer partici lems with easements led to a new pation. The local Audubon Society For 25 years, Wes Carhartt has route through a scenic wildlife area became a project sponsor, and thought about a trail along the on the right-of-way of an adjacent when it became clear that the coun- Arkansas River through Canon City canal. Flood plain zoning will give ty needed help, offered to help in south central Colorado. In 1980, the county more control over the build and maintain the trail as an- several Canon City citizens met to riverfront in the future as develop- other Aubudon group had done in walk along the river, research the ment takes place.The City of Grand the City of Pueblo. Finding a strong corridor's ownership, and put Junction, however, has established core group can provide the neces- together a plan for a trail. The ownership of the flood-control sary focus for public participation. following year the group presented levees and is not as limited by pri- • Bringing the public into the their plan,now known as the Arkan- vate ownership.Willingness to com- project. Planners conducted a series sas Riverwalk,to the Canon CityMet- promise and find creative trail of public meetings to increase the ropolitan Park and Recreation Dis- • routes can make the difference in a project's visibility. Invitations to key trict. Continuing to publicize the project's success. people, radio and newspaper plan, the Steering Committee • Encouraging cooperation notices, and the Audubon Society's obtained endorsements for the trail from business interests. PepsiCo, grapevine achieved the best results. from the Recreation Board, the Lin- Inc., the local utility company, and Presenting the trail plans and asking coln Park Sanitation District, the two construction firms along the for ideas stirred up excitement and Daily Record newspaper,and mem- trail route granted free trail ease- generated a list of active trail sup- bers of the city council, County ments. A business along the trail porters. A special meeting with the Board of Commissioners, and the may welcome the exposure and county commissioners enabled school district. positive association. Other firms supporters to speak directly to their The sanitation district, which contribute as a community service elected officials. owns land along the river,agreed to and encourage political support. • Creating a project strategy. As a greenbelt on their property if the • Using tourism to sell the trail. too many meetings can burn out the recreation district would manage it. As a tourist attraction, the river is brightest idea, organizers decided In 1982, the two agencies signed a simply unknown. Approaching the to form a steering committee of a lease agreement, followed by an city across the bridges, visitors are few dependable supporters. This agreement to purchase a 3-1/2-mile dismayed by junked cars lining group worked directly..with._the_, right-of-way owned by the Santa Fe parts of the river and b} its in- project sponsors, providing input,r Railway.The price of$15,000 for the accessibility elsewhere. Emphasiz- critiquing design ideas, selecting a ten-acre parcel depended on com- ing recreation and tourism poten- consultant, and reporting on prog- pleting the purchase byyear-end for tial helped gain the assistance of the ress.They established timelines and tax purposes.Citizen support,com- visitor and convention bureau, recruited new supporters. mitted local officials and agencies, which has ties with the chamber of • Publicizing the trail through and a Colorado Greenway Project commerce and business interests. field trips.One very successful effort trail construction grant are making • Participating in urban was a series of field trips along the the Arkansas Riverwalk a reality. • redevelopment efforts. The magic trail corridor.Getting key people to Following is a summary of the phrase in Mesa County and other see the beauty of the river area was project: P&R/NOVEMBER 1987/31 • Developing a core group. The that could benefit from the trail and and Rotary Clubs, high school shop number of people who began the be useful politically. classes, scouts, and the state peni- project was very small,but they had • Developing good media rela- tentiary promised labor and Ion- a clear idea of what they wanted to lions. By including local newspaper struction.The city,county,U.S. For- accomplish and a commitment to people and convincing them of the est Service, and agricultural exten- the trail over the long term. value of the trail,the committee en- sion office contributed tools, • Organizing formal support. sured good publicity for project machinery,and technical assistance. Putting together a citizen's steering events. Perhaps more important, • Assessing broad public senti- committee was the first step. As because the editors understood the ment.A recreation facility question- more groups and individuals be- project, they supported it during naire sent to a large sample of the came involved and the recreation periods of controversy. The com- city's population included the trail district became the leading agency, mittee also enlisted a local radio sta- project.The high level of interest in planners grouped participants into tion and cable TV station as support- the project revealed by the ques- several action units: Long-Range ers. tionnaire helped convince political Planning and Engineering;Finance, • Gearing development to the leaders of the trail's importance. Land Acquisition, and Legal; Public available resources. Limited cash 0 Recognizing the concerns of Involvement and Publicity; and was available for the project,but the adjacent landowners. The classic Construction and Maintenance. extensive community support made problem of trail development is the • Reaching the larger communi- it possible to secure donations of hostility of adjacent residents who ty. Early on,the steering committee labor and materials. The County envision a loss of property value, identified all the possible groups Homebuilders Association, Lions safety,and privacy.Evidence linking 32/NOVE,XIBER 1987/1)&R Have You Made out Your Christmas List?� problems to trail construction is ex y :ttt tremely rare, but an axiom of trail , • . development is that existing resi- dents will always protest,while new r purchasers of housing along the trail see it as an amenity. • Continuing the project in the face of opposition. Because trails are linear parks, they can affect more people and run into more f physical and legal obstacles than the "u average park project. While criti- cized as an inappropriate tax dollar •% expenditure, the trail won out as a ' . priority. Trails are an investment in the future and their value to the .. community becomes readily appar- ent as they become a reality. j As you can see from these case studies, each trail project has unique opportunities and prob- 0 lems. Building a critical mass of political and community support is y, like foreign diplomacy: you must explore unknown territory,find outti. who is important and why,learn the • bewildering rituals and customs of III the native organizations, and find a — mutual benefit with each of them. Nrks M44-n-al loll WANTED Some important issues in trails development are only briefly men- tioned here: fundraising, managing Change of Recreation Director; boards and committees, securing South Hadley, MA. easements,liability,trail design,and Address opportunity to create and trail operation. There are many good sources of information for maintain an all-eneom- each of these issues.On page 30 is a Please let us know two months in advance so you will receive your passing recreation pro- checklist of actions for cultivating PARKS & ,RECREATION_may;a gram, BS or BA in recre- public support of an urban trail nines without interruption. project. Included are ideas from ation or leisure services Mary Carter of the South Suburban f---� with 3 years experience Park Foundation and Kari Van Meter I N of the Loveland Planning Depart- I I including administration or meet. ❑ I s I N supervision. $19,500 to $21,200. Resume dead- EDITOR'S NOTE:A list of currently I �, available references that are good line Nov. 12, 198'I. Infor- sources of information on develop- i i o mation and resume to: ing an urban trail project is avail- l x I Recreation Commission, ablefrom the author at the Division CEO Mongeau, 58 Mt. of Parks & Outdoor Recreation, 1313 Sherman, Rm. 618, Denver, I I View, South Hadley, MA CO 80203. L--—� U 01075. Please circle reader service card number 27 P&R/NOVEMBER 1987/33