filed under: economics of trails
A TRAILSNext™ presentation
Develop tools and techniques for truly hearing and properly responding to opposition when developing a trail.
by Gregory Kern, Transportation Planner, Michael Baker International
| While a majority of people favor the development of trails in their community, there are others who hold a contrary view - that trails may bring unwanted presence, crime, and other negative factors to their backyards. A critical component of the planning and early development of a mixed-use trail is understanding these concerns, and addressing them in an interactive and respectful manner. In my experience in Central Florida, at times it seemed like local stakeholders thought I was "selling them a trail". Through numerous projects/cases, I have refined my approach in developing a trail concept plan, addressing specific local concerns, and engaging local and regional stakeholders toward making a better product. Entertaining cases will highlight the approaches and strategies that may be used. Learning Objectives:
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Mr. Kern is a transportation planner with more than 25 years of experience in multi-modal corridor studies, preliminary engineering concept development and assessments, and NEPA studies. He has a BA degree from Princeton University, and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. Mr. Kern has worked for both local governmental agencies and for private consulting firms. He is a member of the American Planning Association, and the American Public Works Association. His work on mixed-use trails in Florida include significant portions of the 230-mile St. Johns River to the Sea Trail, and segments of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail.
National Park Service − Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
This publication is designed to inform the reader about the services provided by the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study
The primary goal of this study was to understand who uses the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), how they use it, their preferences, and the economic impact of the CDT in the region. Additional data were also collected regarding protecting public lands and using the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado.
2022 CDT Small Business Survey
From August to December 2021, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition surveyed 136 small business owners in 38 communities located along the Continental Divide Trail to learn more about how the Continental Divide Trail impacts their businesses, the local economy, and their support for public lands.
Improving Accessibility on Public Lands
Recommendations from American Trails
