12-10-87 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• gloom of the economic boom- turned-bust, the county abolished 1111 Fourteen own parks department and cut i 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'coni- 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 enough are essential. project,put them to work at citizen and government support to • Examine the feasibility of the what they know best, and ensure success. project. Research land provide opportunities for The Colorado River Trail has ownership, physical and so- volunteers. reached the construction phase af- cial concerns, and communi ter three years of widespread effort. ■ Exploit every publicity oppor- Many of the old problems have been ty needs. tunic,. Be shameless about • Idem y funding sources. overcome as new ones surface. Federal, state, local, business, using publicity; your project Some lessons from this project in must become part of the building political and community foundations, and the public. common knowledge of the support are summarized below: • Identt potential supporters. There are many groups, in- entire community. • Overcoming past problems. ■ Get key people to visit the Negative feelings left over from past dividuals, agencies, and busi- site. No slide show, presenta-local andP failures can sink the most de national—that are interested tion or appeal is as convinc- termined effort.The problems were ing as a walk along the trail identified, acknowledged, and ad- in civic improvement proj- corridor. ects. dressed with new ideas. Circum • ■ Sell the concept. Make per- • 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- your resources, and commit ested in the project.The Division of lieve in the project as strong - everything 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 tablish the project in every ■ Develop a management 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 the benefits of the project, ■ Be flexible and tenacious. and Outdoor Recreation had es make it irresistible to those Sheer energy and will are a tablished a State Trails Program who need to be identified must, but sometimes a con- with the goal of helping local corn with positive achievements, cept needs years to take munities plan and build trails. Most and listen to their good root. You must keep the states now have similar programs ideas, project alive, establish it through their Department of Nat- ■ Acknowledge support and firmly in the minds of com ural Resources.Investigating the re assistance. Create good will munity and political leaders, sources of state government may by giving recognition, and be prepared to take turn up interest in surprising places. encouraging cooperation advantage of any opportunity • Becoming a leader in trails de among groups and agencies, that comes along. velopment. Mesa County's persist ence with its project has encour- • aged latent trail projects with Grand Junction and the Division of Wild- 30/NOVEMBER 1987/P&R