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HEALTHY TRAILS, HEALTHY PEOPLE UPDATE

Deadline Approaching To Apply For Help With Trail Planning And Development From Parks & Trails New York

Need help getting a trail project started or a trails advocacy group formed? Want to get a stalled project moving? Parks & Trails New York may be able to offer assistance through the Healthy Trails, Healthy People program. As part of the program-funded in part by the Healthy Heart Program of the New York State Department of Health-Parks & Trails New York staff will provide technical and planning assistance, present workshops, and offer organizational support. Workshops will highlight the multiple benefits of trails and provide an opportunity for residents to explore trail development opportunities within their own communities. In subsequent years, selected communities will be eligible to apply for additional technical assistance, workshops, mini-grants ($500-$1000), and organizational support from Parks & Trails New York.

Applications are being accepted until November 18, 2005. Level of community interest, partnership possibilities, and opportunities to increase physical activity levels will be considered in selection. It is advisable for potential applicants to contact Parks & Trails New York to discuss their application before the submission deadline.

Community Updates

Peru Comprehensive Plan Process Bolsters Trail
Peru's trail committee has built the foundation of an action plan for the Little Ausable River Trail corridor with several months of work on the Town's Comprehensive Plan. A significant step in their progress has been the confirmation of general interest in and support of a key segment of the larger trail project by all the landowners whose properties would be crossed by the proposed route.

The committee will work in the next few months to have these landowners sign a revocable agreement with the town. Parks & Trails New York will assist the community in drafting the template agreement language. Though only a temporary and non-binding contract, the revocable agreement helps demonstrate the clear interest of landowners to allow public trail access. This will help the town compete for grants. Having the agreement in place will also make it easier for volunteers or municipal employees to begin initial trail work and open the route for basic public access while a more formal long-term agreement is formulated.

Norwich Trail Committee - A Model Of Diverse Backgrounds
In the past few months, the trail committee in the City of Norwich has made significant strides. They have decided to rename their group the Chenango Greenway Committee, reflecting their hope that their village-based trail along the Chenango River can eventually become part of a larger regional trail and open space corridor.

The Norwich group has also done an outstanding job of rounding out their trail committee membership, which now includes the following: a community physician, a city parks commission liaison, a Chenango Land Trust representative, two local developers who seek to link their project to the corridor, an environmental lawyer, representatives of the local youth conservation corps, a liaison to a Christian community service organization, and several other citizen advocates. While working to build municipal and general community awareness and support for the project, the committee has investigated liability and insurance issues and started the process of identifying and reaching out to landowners along a key segment of the proposed route.

New! Trail Finder Maps Are Printable!

To better serve New York residents and visitors looking for information on trail and greenway corridors, Parks & Trails has added printable, detailed maps to 20 of the 90 trails included in its on-line guide, Trail Finder Maps.

The site includes 90 shared-use trails and greenways that allow walking, bicycling, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. More than 850 miles of trails can be accessed in the database. Parks & Trails New York's Trail Finder Maps locates all listed trails on a statewide map first. A click on one of 11 regional maps displays the name of each trail corridor and identifies its location relative to major highways and population centers. Clicking on a particular trail connects visitors with a database of trail information that includes location, length, surface, allowable uses, trail website, and contact information.

Twenty of these individual trails are now numbered in yellow, indicating the availability of a detailed, printable map showing the primary local road network. Trailheads and bike shops are indicated on the new detail maps with a symbol that reveals the specific location when it is 'clicked'.

Beneficial Designs Researches Accessible Trail Barriers - Share Your Experience

Persons with disabilities are often prevented from using trails because gates designed to restrict small motor vehicle access also prohibit people using personal mobility devices such as walkers, wheelchairs or power scooters. Beneficial Designs has begun a multi-phase research project Designing Accessible Vehicle Barriers for Trails to develop a trail gate that will prevent motorized vehicle access but allow passage for all non-motorized users and persons using personal mobility devices.

The first phase of the project will establish the feasibility of designing an accessible trail vehicle barrier, identify distinguishing characteristics of motorized trail vehicles (MTVs) and personal mobility devices (PMDs), document the performance characteristics of MTVs and PMDs, develop at least three initial design concepts for an accessible trail vehicle barrier, and conduct a market survey of land managers on the commercialization issues related to the new barrier design.

During this initial phase of the project, Beneficial Designs is asking trail users and trail managers to provide them with information on their trails: types of trail users, types of trail barriers currently in use, ideas for and information on existing accessible trail barriers, and features that are the key for making an accessible trail barrier a commercial success and features that are the key for making an accessible trail barrier a commercial success.

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TRAIL SPOTLIGHT

A Fundraising Model

Nearly 58 of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Association's approximately 400 dues-paying members are local business sponsors. These special members pledge a minimum of $100 per year, with quite a few donating several times that amount. Association President George Danskin cites several key reasons for their success:

• Recognition of sponsors through the website, newsletter, and press contacts as well as personal interaction through patronage of the sponsor's business by Wallkill Rail Trail Association members;
• Use of local contacts for solicitation. Once a prospect list is developed, the board members identify any individuals they personally know or with whom they do business (the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail goes through two towns that have unique community identities & requests for support are most successful when made by local residents);
• Development of an organizational portfolio that includes information on the group's history, activities, publications, and local/regional press recognition. The portfolio is brought along to meetings with prospective donors to help demonstrate the value of the group's efforts within the community and the benefit of being associated with this effective and vital organization.

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Association is an all-volunteer group formed in the late 1980's to act as stewards and advocates for their 12-mile trail corridor in Ulster County. This trail corridor was developed and thrives through an active partnership among the Town and Village of New Paltz, Town of Gardiner, the Wallkill Valley Land Trust, and the trail association.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

SAFETEA-LU Becomes the New Federal Highways Law

On August 10, President Bush signed into law the $286.4 billion highway bill, known as SAFETEA-LU (the SAFE Transportation Equity Act - a Legacy for Users). This means renewed funding for three programs that have played a significant role in building the majority of shared-use trails across the state: the Transportation Enhancements Program (TEP), the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), and the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program (CMAQ). The new law also establishes a potential source of funding for trails, the Safe Routes to School Program.

The Transportation Enhancements Program was retained as a required 10% set-aside of the Surface Transportation Program. This represents about $3.5 billion nationwide for TEP over the life of SAFETEA-LU, which is a slight increase over TEA-21 levels. Funding for the CMAQ Program also held fairly steady at $8.6 billion. Recreational Trails Program funding increased 64% above TEA-21 levels to $370 million over five years. The new Safe Routes To School Program was funded at $612 million for the five-year life of the legislation.

On the disappointing side, the new highway law weakens existing environmental protections. Provisions for ample public review of and comment on highway projects were reduced. Of greatest concern to Parks & Trails NY, the important Section 4(f) protection for parks, wildlife preserves, and public open spaces was altered to permit the Secretary of Transportation to make "minimal impact" exceptions. Parks and open space advocates will need to closely monitor the quantity and quality of exceptions under the new "minimal impact" rule to ensure that it does not become an abused loophole to bypass environmental regulations.

NY State Transportation Bond Act Details Set

At the ballot box in November, state residents will have the chance to approve or reject the five-year, $2.9 billion "Rebuild & Renew New York Transportation Bond Act." If approved, proceeds from the Bond Act will supplement regular spending as part of an aggressive $35.8 billion, five-year capital program for the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Transportation industry leaders and advocates consider the extra funding necessary in order to catch up on years of deferred system maintenance.

Bicyclist, pedestrian, and trail advocates should be pleased that the June 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the governor and the legislature detailing Bond Act spending commitments includes shared-use trail projects in New York City, Long Island, and along the NY State Canal System. The Bond Act funds are principally divided between transit funding for the MTA ($1.45 billion) and state and local bridge/highway funding ($1.13 billion). The remaining funds will be divided among non-MTA transit ($50 million), aviation facilities ($76 million), passenger/freight rail and port facilities ($135 million), and canal corridor improvements ($50 million).

Six trail projects will potentially benefit from Bond Act revenue. Downstate, the MOU allocates $19 million to help build a segment of the Bronx River Greenway and $7.6 million for the Wantagh State Parkway Bikeway in Nassau County. Along the New York State Canalway Trail System there are several allocations: $3 million for trail rehabilitation between Fairport and Pittsford, $2.6 million for realignment of trail in Rome, $5 million for new trail construction between Fort Edward and Fort Anne, and $16.5 million for a new pedestrian bridge over the Mohawk River linking the Erie Canalway Trail with the City of Amsterdam riverfront.

Although bicyclist/pedestrian projects identified in the MOU represent slightly less than 2% ($53 million) of total Bond Act funds, it is encouraging that they were included at all, given the traditionally exclusive focus on motorized modes by transportation industry leaders. Parks & Trails New York had advocated for a funding level of at least 2% for non-motorized transportation to demonstrate a real state commitment to these modes.

A further positive development for non-motorized advocates is a requirement in the MOU that DOT include a special section in its final Bond Act report that will assess the adequacy of its data collection regarding bicyclist/pedestrian safety as well as make recommendations for actions and investments to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists utilizing the transportation system. This explicit requirement is noteworthy, because while accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians make up 25% of fatalities in New York State, a comparatively small portion of safety and infrastructure spending has historically been devoted to their needs.

If you have a trail project that has not already been awarded funds or placed on a local Transportation Improvement Program, you should consider putting it on the radar screen of your elected leaders now! If the Bond Act passes, there appears to be at least $400 million in discretionary spending ($200 million if the Bond Act does not pass) for the full five-year capital program that is under the influence of the governor, the assembly speaker, and the senate majority leader. Trails may potentially be eligible for funding in several categories such as Bridges and Highways or, more likely, Multi-Modal projects, because of the category's broader eligibility criteria.

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FUNDING

2006 National Trails Fund Grants Available from American Hiking Society

Applications are now being accepted for the American Hiking Society's 2006 National Trails Fund grants. Awards will range from $500 to $10,000 per project.

National Trails Fund grants provide local organizations with resources to secure access, volunteers, tools and materials to establish, protect, and maintain foot trails in America. Generously supported by charter sponsors Cascade Designs and L.L. Bean and administered by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Fund grants have provided more than $240,000 to 56 different organizations across the country since the funding program was created in 1998.

Applications must be postmarked by November 1, 2005. For more information on the National Trails Fund and to download the 2006 National Trails Fund Guidelines and Application visit the American Hiking Society website or contact Ivan Levin, Trail Programs Manager or call 301-565-6704 x 208.

Grant Opportunity For New York City Park Supporters

New York City residents and neighborhood groups who want to do more for their beloved parks should consider applying for a Capacity Fund grant from Partnerships for Parks. The next deadline is October 1, 2005.

Partnerships for Parks is a joint project of the City Parks Foundation and the New York City Parks Department. It works to increase community support for and involvement in parks throughout New York City. Founded in 1995, Partnerships works to start, strengthen, and support neighborhood park groups; to link these groups together so that they can learn from each other and become stronger collectively; and to promote involvement in parks so people will join in efforts to restore and preserve them.

Grants from $250 to $5,000 are available for groups within the five boroughs of New York City that want to expand their ability to care for their local park by doing more and involving more people. Examples of potential projects include, but are not limited to:

• Website, newsletter, letterhead or other public outreach efforts
  
• Special events or plantings, if the group can show how this support would be a sustainable investment in their stewardship efforts
  
• An outreach publication produced by Partnerships for Parks

Volunteer Time - A Valuable Resource

When estimating the value of volunteer hours, consider that Independent Sector, a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 500 national organizations, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs announced that the 2004 estimate for the value of a volunteer time was $17.55 per hour. The calculation is based on the average hourly wage for all non-management, non-agriculture workers as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, plus 12 percent for fringe benefits.

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TRAIL & HEALTH RESOURCES

New State Trails Guide & Parkland Alienation Handbook On-Line

Two important parks and trails resources are now available to be downloaded from the newly revamped website of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP): Empire State Trails: Highlights of New York State and the recently updated and released Handbook on the Alienation and Conversion of Municipal Parkland.

Empire State Trails, originally published in 2001and recently updated for the web, provides a brief description and map for a sample of the state's trails managed by OPRHP and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It also includes information on the state's greenways and long distance trails, some of which are managed by not-for-profit organizations. Charts help locate places for hiking, nature study, horseback riding, biking, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling within other state parks and lands and forests not featured in the guide.

The 2005 revised edition of the Handbook on the Alienation and Conversion of Municipal Parkland was prepared by OPRHP to help municipalities and individuals better understand the requirements and procedures needed to receive authorization from the New York State Legislature to sell, lease, or discontinue municipal parkland. The guide is a comprehensive and readable resource that clearly defines what constitutes parkland alienation and conversion and outlines steps for municipalities to follow if considering the process. The guide is richly footnoted with citations to relevant court decisions. According to the guide, OPRHP recognizes that a change in parkland use may sometimes be necessary, but "...the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation ('State Parks') strongly endorses the maintenance and expansion of municipal parks and open space, and the recreational opportunities each offers. State Parks encourages a 'no net loss of parkland' policy."

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HEARD ON THE TRAIL

Catskill Scenic Trail - Stamford, NY

"We manage a 45-mile long corridor with neighbors all along the way. We get treated the way we treat people. Reaching out and establishing open lines of communication helped create buy-in to our project and subsequent improvements as well as eased its management."

Dave Riordan, Executive Director
Catskill Revitalization Corp.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

•17-18 Hudson River Valley Ramble with Hudson River Estuary Days

•24-25 Hudson River Valley Ramble with Hudson River Estuary Days.

Email your events related to multi-use trails and greenways for the next edition of Parks & Trails E- NEWS. Entries should include: 1) Name and date of event, 2) Brief description, 3) Where to go for more information. Submit items to: ptny@ptny.org

All listings are at the discretion of the editors and as space allows.

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Previous Issues of Parks & Trails E-NEWS are available in the archive.

© 2005 Parks & Trails New York, all rights reserved.