Laserfiche WebLink
<br />homeowners believe trails either increased the value of their homes or had no detrimental <br />impact. With trail users relatively affluent, mobile, and interested in spending quality time <br />with families, trails provide a perfect" getaway" adventure. Having access to trails has <br />changed how families recreate with people taking shorter but more frequent "vacations" <br />closer to home and with a more family-oriented focus. <br /> <br />Trails have also allowed these escapes to include a wider variety of family members. Thanks <br />to our mostly paved trails, and the advent of bicycle trailers, "trail-a-bikes," and comfort <br />bikes, it's not uncommon to see an entire extended family children, teens, parents, and <br />grandparents sharing an outdoor recreational activity. While not an "economic" benefit, <br />necessarily, this is still an important "value added" component trails bring to our state. <br />(Taken from the Economic & Social Benefit of Trails by Gary Sjoquist, Quality Bicycle <br />Products) <br /> <br />The Clearwater Trail would help promote the health and well being of individuals, families and <br />community groups throughout the northeast quadrant of the Twin Cities. <br /> <br />The CDC study on lower medical costs associated with physical activity recommends that <br />"community amenities need to be developed that foster walking and cycling as a regular part <br />of daily activity". (Information compiled from the Minnesota Department of Health <br />(MDH)and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the physical activity pages on <br />their web sites www.health.state.mn.us and WWW.CdC.20V) <br /> <br />Biking groups, bird-watchers, sports support groups, health enthusiasts from throughout the <br />metropolitan area would have additional, significant access to the natural beauty of the lakes, <br />creeks and rural landscape of the northeast quadrant of the Twin Cities. <br /> <br />User Groups that would benefit: <br /> <br />Twin Cities Bicycle Group TCBC is the largest recreational bicycling club in the Minneapolis- <br />Saint Paul area <br /> <br />Minnesota Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, MnBPA, 509 Sibley St. Paul, MN 55101,651-222- <br />2080 <br /> <br />Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, 275 E. 4th Street #642 St. Paul MN 55101 651-726- <br />2457 <br /> <br />Minnesota Coalition of Bicyclists, MCB, P.O. Box 74452 St. Paul, Minnesota 55175 email: <br />rtandems@winternet.com <br /> <br />Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis P.O. Box 3801, Minneapolis, MN Tom Mahan, 2003 <br />President 763-588-5440 <br /> <br />8 <br />