Austin Trails Network - group email/files, follow-up to meeting

[Charlie McCabe]

Welcome to November fellow Trail advocates.

Thanks to those who attend the October 30th group for a lively and spirited discussion of all things trails, including priorities, planning, marketing and funding.  I've set up this google group to allow us to share info, files, exchange ideas and collaborate on our next steps.  We already have 11 out of the 16 people I sent invites to sign up, so that's a good first sign, but you're one of the ones that hasn't signed on yet, so please, sign on: http://groups.google.com/group/austintrailsnet

What follows is the email I sent out to those who are already active on the mailing list....

Follow-ups and Action items:

1) List of Priority Trails.  For the list of trails that are deserving of the highest prioritization (see below) we agreed that setting up a set of criteria would be the next logical step including miles, connectivity, % of land obtained, funding, geographic region and other elements. Judi Ronkartz, Austin Ridge Riders, provided me with a template begin plugging in these values.  I've set up a google spreadsheet to allows us to collaborate on fleshing out these details.  You'll receive a link inviting you to it following this email.  Please add or correct info I've put on there and we'll build this matrix for ranking the projects.

The trails list is (so far):

Town Lake Trail Boardwalk

Walnut Creek (Eastside) Trail

Cap Metro Rails with Trails

Oak Hill Y to Downtown (includes COA Ped & Bike program Barton Creek Bridge)

Walk for A Day

Waller Creek Trail

Manor Rails with Trails

Gilleland Creek Trail

Country Club Creek Trail

Colorado River Trail

Williamson Creek / Onion Creek Complex Trails

2) Trails Division scoping.  We asked our partners from PARD Planning (Jenna Neal and Butch Smith) to give a minimum and maximum number of people needed to form a separate trails division.

3) Nov 30 - Every Town Needs a Trail event at RunTex. Jen Ohlson's kickoff event.  I'll ask her to provide more details.

4) Easements.  We need to identify resources that can complete the negotiation of easements for trails - example: Country Club Creek and Oak Hill Trails.  Agreement seemed to be that either the city or selected non-profits could do the work.  Disagreement included whether certain city departments would be better or worse.

5) Conceptual Vision Map - the big enchilada.  An overall plan of the priority trails, feasibility studies, and complete info.  This is what we are shooting for.

More detailed meeting notes are coming, but I just wanted to get this info out and get going on the matrix while the memories of the meeting still linger.

Also, a few things to note on the google groups area:

A) Files - I've uploaded some of the maps and documents (including meeting notes) in the area.  Generally speaking, if you have a map or other image, please upload in .gif or jpg format, as it will display in your web browser once you click on it (click on the grid view for a thumbnail).  If you have additional info, please add it.

B) Pages - I'll start putting together some web pages with some of the initial info that we want to begin conveying to the public.  Again, if you have ideas, information or just want to start adding, go for it.

C) Posting to the group list - use the email address: austint...@googlegroups.com to send email to the entire group - everyone can reply, send new emails, etc.  Let it fly!

Charlie McCabe

Executive Director

Austin Parks Foundation

701 Brazos, Ste 170

Austin TX 78701

512.477.1566

cmc...@austinparks.org

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