Developing Regional Trails:

Mapping a path for moving intention to reality with a bit more velocity!

Session organizer: Kristin Dahl, Travel Oregon, kristin@traveloregon.com Participants: Facilitator: Mark Davison, Metro Speaker Gary Chapman: Corvallis to the Coast Trail Speaker Ralph Swinehart : Wallowa Union Historic Trail Consortium, Elgin to Wallowa Lake Trail: Speaker Kathleen Walker, USFS: Mt. Hood to Rose City Trail

Format: 10 min Open and set context - facilitator 35 min 3 trail presentations – 12 min each 30 min Small group breakouts to discuss and answer several questions about challenges and solutions 15 min Small groups report out to the full group 15 min Wrap up by synthesizing commonalities and talk about next steps

“Top outdoor activities include walking on trails and bicycling on paved trails.”

Survey results show that overall, 92% of Oregonians participated in at least one outdoor recreation activity in Oregon during the past year

STATE SCALE – VALUE OF PARK & RECREATION SERVICES

BENEFIT Mean Score

Improve physical health and fitness 4.3

Make your community a more desirable place to live 4.3

Preserve open space & the environment 4.3

Improve mental health & reduce stress 4.1

Enhance a sense of place & community 3.9

Help reduce crime 3.9

Preserve historical features in your community 3.8

Increase property values in your community 3.5

Provide opportunities for social interaction 3.5

Help attract new residents & businesses 3.1

Promote tourism 3.1

Challenges we are consistently seeing…

Length of time to get going Facilities focused concept

Bureaucratic minefield Cost of construction Technical feasibility Opposition to idea

How do we make these easier to develop in the future?

Can we describe the key ingredients to success?

Top 3 Key Ingredients: Theme for trail related to: Natural, Recreation, Leisure, or Cultural Iconic Attraction Adjacent communities Benefit : Trail Towns, Biking Town, Birding Town, Wine Towns Visitor Experience and Activities: Fishing, Picnicking , Camping, School Groups, Reunion

Useful Ingredients: Emerged from Citizen Leaders Partner Advocacy Groups Active Advisory Committee Long-term Project Manager Big Picture Plan Break Into Manageable Phases Timely Political Support Consistent People Participation Thoughtful Diverse Funding Sources Catalyst Projects to Generate Excitement and Realistic Local Optimism Lot’s of Annual Events