Post on 24-Jul-2020
2012 STATE TRAILS
CONFERENCE ~
HIGHLIGHTS
Bridging Communities with Trails
WASHINGTON STATE TRAILS COALITION
Convention Center, Vancouver Washington
October 25-28, 2012
February 4, 2013 2/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Washington State Trails Coalition
For more information about the Washington State Trails Coalition,
visit, http://www.w-s-t-c.org or contact Sarah Krueger, President at
SarahK@Mountanieers.org
For comments on this highlights document, contact Greg Lovelady,
Communications Director at GregL12@comcast.net
Cover photo: Trail to Glacier Basin, August 2012; Greg Lovelady
2011-2012 Board
Pete Beaupain, President
(Wa. State Snowmobile Assoc. and
Wa. Trails Assoc.)
pbeaupain@comcast.net
Sarah Krueger, President Elect
(The Mountaineers)
sarahk@mountaineers.org
Don Crook, Comptroller
(Wa. Water Trails Assoc.)
DonCrook@msn.com
Rick Hood, Past President
(Rick Hood Consulting)
rick@hoodcs.com
Greg Lovelady, Secretary
(Recreation and Conservation Office)
Greg.Lovelady@rco.wa.gov
John Ernest Berry III, At-Large
(Foothills Trail Coalition)
jeb3@seanet.com
Lisa Goorjain & Hailey Heath, At-Large
Host Representatives
(Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation)
Lisa.goorjian@cityofvancouver.us
Hailey.Heath@cityofvancouver.us
2013-2014 Board
Sarah Krueger, President
(The Mountaineers)
sarahk@mountaineers.org
Vacant, President Elect
Don Crook, Comptroller
(Wa. Water Trails Assoc.)
DonCrook@msn.com
Pete Beaupain, Past President
(Wa. State Snowmobile Assoc. and
Wa. Trails Assoc.)
pbeaupain@comcast.net
Greg Lovelady, Communications Director
GregL12@comcast.net
John Ernest Berry III, At-Large
(Foothills Trail Coalition)
alamosaspongeman@comcast.net
Vacant, At-Large and Host Representative
Vacant, At-Large
Vacant, At-Large
February 4, 2013 3/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
WASHINGTON STATE TRAILS COALITION
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE
2012 STATE TRAILS CONFERENCE
CONVENTION CENTER, VANCOUVER WASHINGTON
1)
CONTENTS
1. Welcome 3 2. Agency Leadership Panel 4 3. Legislative Leadership Panel 5 4. Keynote: Mickey Fearn, NPS 6 5. Track 1: Community Engagement 7
The Intertwine: A Website for the Portland Area 8 Engaging Youth In Trail Maintenance 8 Trail Information and People with Disabilities 9 Volunteers: Building Community and Trails 10 Volunteer Stewardship Groups 12 Bridges of Cooperation: Yacolt Burn 14 Partnering with the Youth Conservation Corps 15 Work Session for an Oregon Trails Coalition 17
6. Track 2: Planning for Success Track 17 The Carbon River Corridor to Mount Rainier NP 17 The Story of the Cape Horn Trail 18 The Trail-Transportation Connection 20 Youth Engaged in Planning 20 Doing Trails the Foothills Way 20 San Juan Island Trails Committee Efforts 21 Navigating the Environmental Process 21
7. Track 3: Managing Trails on the Ground 22 Multi-Use Mountain Bike Trails 22 Trail Etiquette, Ethics, and Education 23 The Hood River Trail System 24 Trail: From Design to Construction and Beyond 25 Washington DNR’s Forest Watch Program 26 How Do Trail Users Cross the Road? 27 Water Trails of The Columbia Basin 27
8. WSTC Business meeting 28 9. Keynote: Dave Hahn, Eddie Bauer Athlete 29 10. Conference Registrations 30
FRIDAY, 10/25/2012
WELCOME
Pete Beaupain, President
Washington State Trails Coalition
WSTC president Pete Beaupain opened the
conference by expressing delight at the number of
people in attendance and thanking the many
individuals and organizations responsible for
contributing to this year’s gathering, including:
The members of the Conference Committee
The sponsors who made cash and material
contributions: Parametrix, Green Trails, The
Mountaineers, Eddie Bauer and Cascade Designs
The large contingent from the Recreation and
Conservation Office (RCO) for taking session
notes and running the audio-visual equipment
RCO again for the equipment loans and to
Director Kaleen Cottingham for heading up the
Agency Leadership panel
Washington State Parks, the Director and the
Commissioners (four of whom are attending the
conference) for their long-term WSTC support
The National Park Service for finding yet
another amazing keynote speaker and many
other contributions
The conference keynote speakers, Mickey Fearn,
Deputy Director of the National Park Service,
and Dave Hahn who has made extraordinary
mountaineering accomplishments
The Vancouver Parks and Recreation
Department for working to make the Friday
evening “Community Forum” a success.
February 4, 2013 4/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
AGENCY LEADERSHIP PANEL:
PROVIDING A FUTURE FOR TRAILS
Moderator: Kaleen Cottingham, Director
State Recreation and Conservation Office
With 16 million acres of public land in Washington
and strong agency leadership, trails have become a
vital part of Washington’s recreation scene. This
leadership panel was conceived to discuss the
creative ways our agency partners are dealing with
disastrous budgets and working to bring about a
positive future for trails through collaborative
planning, public outreach, and more.
The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is
a state agency created by a voter initiative in 1964
to provide grant funding for outdoor recreation
projects. Today, RCO manages more than a dozen
grant programs, including those that plan, build,
and maintain urban, rural and backcountry trails.
Peter Goldmark
State Lands Commissioner
Mr. Goldmark is the state’s elected Commissioner
of Public Lands and head of the Department of
Natural Resources and primary manager of the
department’s more than 1,000 miles of trail and
outdoor recreational opportunity.
Mr. Goldmark announced that the department
recently introduced the new, and soon to be annual,
Volunteer Hero Award. Volunteers play a key role
in the success of many of DNR’s programs, and it
is fortunate to have thousands of dedicated
volunteers whose energy, enthusiasm, hard work,
and time make it possible for visitors to enjoy safe,
sustainable, and high-quality outdoor recreation
experiences on DNR-managed lands.
Mr. Goldmark also discussed the progress made in
implementing the Reiter Foothills Forest
Recreation Plan, the Naneum Ridge Recreation
Plan, and the Tahuya State Forest. Also mentioned
were specific DNR managed recreation areas:
Walker valley, East Tiger Mountain., the Boulder
Lake Natural Resources Conservation Area
(NRCA), the Granite Creek NRCA, and the
Mailbox trail.
Don Hoch, Director
Washington State Parks
Mr. Hoch announced that he recently appointed
Nikki Fields to be State Parks’ trails coordinator.
At this point, Ms. Fields presented slides that
displayed trail opportunities found in
Washington’s State Parks: water trails, winter
recreation trails; and State Parks’ five long
distance trails – the John Wayne Pioneer Trail,
Columbia Plateau Trail, Willapa Hills Trail, the
Spokane River Centennial Trail, and the Klickitat
Rail Trail.
She pointed out that a high priority at State Parks is
nurturing trails and that the agency is now seeking
grants for several trails, including the Olallie Trail
and segments of the Iron Horse-Palouse Trail in
Eastern Washington.
Parks is currently nurturing partnerships with a
number of organizations that provide volunteers
for trails, including the Evergreen Mountain
Bicycling Alliance, Washington Water Trails
Association, Washington Trails Association, and
the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.
Parks is also working to develop on-line trail maps
and is planning new trails at the Wenatchee
Confluence and Cape Disappointment State Park.
But, the needs are great: for example, each of
Parks’ five long distance trail have gaps. At least
$150 million would be needed to bring all of Parks'
trails up to minimum standards.
Maureen Hyzer, Deputy Regional Forester
US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service
Ms. Hyzer pointed out that the National Forests
exist for all of us and that Washington State’s
Forests are, indeed, special. This is due, in part, to
our 65 wilderness areas, 5 wild and scenic areas,
and 2600 regional trail miles. Whether using
water, snow, motorized, or non-motorized trails,
Washington’s National Forests receive 26 million
visits each year.
In recent years, several trends have become
apparent. For example, these days our Forests are
receiving fewer backpackers, and the hikers are not
going as far nor staying as long in the backcountry
as in the past. Mixed use trails are more common
place and mountain bicycles and trails for
motorized vehicles are more widely accepted. The
Service is also converting more roads into trails,
2,000 miles to date. The demand for front country
trails is increasing as are agency partnerships with
such organizations as Friends of the Gorge,
Washington Trails Association, and Backcountry
Horsemen. These partnerships have contributed to
more than 260,000 hours of trail maintenance
volunteerism in 2011.
February 4, 2013 5/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
The region’s annual maintenance budget is about
$4 million which has led to the agency’s $46
million in deferred maintenance.
Randy King, Superintendent
Mt. Rainier National Park
One of the National Park Service’s (NPS) main
conduits for assisting trails is its community
assistance programs, including the Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant program; the Rivers,
Trails, and Conservation [technical] Assistance
Program; and the National Recreation Trails
System designation program.
In Washington State the NPS manages 13 units
including national parks, national recreation areas,
national historic sites, and historic parks. These
include 1,215 miles of trail, of which 288 are in
Mt. Rainier National Park. That park’s trail
maintenance backlog is currently about $6.5
million and is growing annually due to cuts to its
maintenance budget, which is now about $200,000.
Contributing to the park’s woes is climate change.
The severity and frequency of storms in the Pacific
Northwest are increasing. A prime example is the
2006 storm that caused flooding and extensive
damage along the Wonderland and Glacier Basin
Trails.
On a more positive note, Mt. Rainier National Park
receives tremendous help from volunteers. In fact,
the park could not function as it does today without
its many unpaid workers. The park has also
increased its focus on philanthropy/ bequests,
camping fees, and related partners.
Moderator: Kaleen Cottingham
Questions for the panel
Ms. Cottingham asked panel members what those
in the audience could do to improve trails in the
state. Commissioner Goldmark and Director Hoch
said that supporting testimony before the state
legislature is always needed. Trail users should
also regularly speak to their public officials about
needs. Deputy Forester Hyzer said that it's about
choices. Trail advocates need to choose to be well
informed and choose to be continually involved.
Ms. Cottingham asked about the Discover Pass:
How is it doing? What is its future? Director
Hoch said the state lands fee program is here to
stay. Because it was implemented about five
weeks after the Governor signed it into law, it does
have some problems that are being fixed. We now
know that the Discover Pass will not cover all of
State Parks' expenses, but it does help.
Commissioner Goldmark said the program does
have defects, but it is improving. For example, the
pass can now be used for either of two vehicles,
one at a time. He also said that the state's General
Fund is no longer available to DNR.
Ms. Cottingham asked Superintendent King about
the situation surrounding visitors’ motor vehicles
in Mt. Rainier National Park; will they continue to
be allowed? Mr. King replied that the Park has a
free shuttle bus system, though with multiple entry
points it is not as effective as it might otherwise be.
For several weekends this past summer, due to an
excessive number of visitors’ vehicles, he had to
stop weekend traffic to the Paradise area.
Questions from the Audience
Karen Daubert: How do the agencies prioritize
which trails need work? Commissioner Goldmark
replied that, for DNR, several factors are
considered, but among the most important
considerations is feedback from the trail users and
volunteers. Director Hoch said that “friends”
groups and similar grass roots opinions will
probably be the basis for establishing the location
of future work parties. Superintendent King said
that another consideration is where logistical
support is available. Other considerations are the
parks’ trail specialists assessments and emergent
on-the-ground events. Each park is required to
prioritize which trails need work.
Ted Jackson: What can be done about visitors
circumventing use of the Discover Pass? Director
Hoch said that the authorities know that people
park on roads outside of trailheads, they bicycle in,
walk in, are dropped off by others, and some kayak
in. The agencies are working on this issue but are
constrained by the fact that the pass, as approved
by the legislature is only a parking pass.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP PANEL
Rep. Sharon Wylie, 49th District
Assistant Majority Whip
Rep. Wylie, whose background includes both
lobbying and backpacking, asked how the
legislature will find the money to fund trails.
Further, how do we make the case for recreation
and dedicated funds? Trail recreationists need
secure and dedicated fund sources. If the trail
community does not work effectively with its
February 4, 2013 6/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
legislators to find solutions, it will likely end up
fighting for crumbs when monies are distributed.
Another factor is the ageing of trail users. Look
around this room and note how it is filled with
older people.
Rep. Jim Moeller, 49th District
Speaker Pro Tempore
Rep. Moeller disagrees with the need to establish
dedicated trail funding sources. Such funds limit
legislative flexibility. The conversation needs to
be about new revenue, without which we can't get
to where we want to be. Education needs to be the
top priority, but we also need to stop cutting
recreation funding, including funding for trails. He
also made the point that not everyone has been
paying their share and some can pay more.
Moderator: Jonathan Guzzo, Advocacy
Director, Washington Trails Association
Q: Mr. Guzzo asked the panel for their
recommendations for preserving, maintaining and
increasing recreation.
A: Rep. Wylie said the sales tax is critical. For the
immediate future, things probably won't change.
Rep. Moeller said that we should ask for what we
need. Our tax system is among the most regressive
in the nation, and that's wrong. It is important that
we tell people what they're paying for. Everything
costs: roads, trails, campgrounds, etc. We need to
use Face Book and other social media to tell
people about these trail opportunities.
Q: Mr. Guzzo asked about the "sweep” of NOVA
funds in 2009, when the legislature re-directed
dedicated trails funds, some of which were direct
fees for trail use. How can such extremes be
avoided in the future.
Rep. Moeller said that then, as now, we were in the
midst of bad economic times and the legislature
had to use the funds that that were available.
Questions from the Audience
Q: How can the trails community help legislators
make good decisions? When is the best time to
contact a legislator, how should we prepare so our
time is not wasted.
A: Rep. Wylie said that, in her experience, the
longest and most intense conversation should not
take place during the budget process. When the
legislature is in session the most time that visitors
will get is a 12-15 minute meeting. Trail people
need to reach out and discover what is important to
their legislators and find a way to connect to that.
Stay in contact with your lobbyist and up to date
on what is happening. Be willing to compromise.
Rep. Moeller said that the most effective thing is to
show up in person, to participate in the various trail
users’ lobby days. Bring a one page description.
Faxes can be very effective and often go to the
front of the line. Rep. Wylie said that when you
make the appointment, ensure that someone from
that legislator’s district comes along and that your
legislator knows this. Rep. Moeller said that the
state budget process is a zero-sum game. We can't
spend more than we have and we can't
print money.
Q: What effect do Face Book and Twitter have on
legislators?
A: Rep. Moeller said that legislators watch these
things, they're another way to communicate. Rep.
Wylie said the trails community should look for
non-traditional partners and form coalitions. Bring
representatives of unlikely advocates to your
legislators' meetings. Members of the tourism
industry are just one example. Another success
tactic is to find a legislative champion, someone
that will take a close and personal interest in trails.
Rep. Moller said that it is important to stay
involved to the end, when the budget is decided.
OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
BRIDGING COMMUNITIES TO OUR
TRAILS AND PARKS
Introduction by Michael Linde
National Park Service
After beginning as a playground supervisor in the
1960s, Mr. Fearn is now in his 45th year as a Park
and Recreation professional. These days, Mr.
Fearn is responsible for NPS’s Communications,
Public Affairs, Strategic Planning, Tribal
Relations, International Affairs, Partnerships,
Legislative and Congressional Affairs, Policy,
State and Local Assistance Programs and
Information Technology. His role emphasizes the
agency’s focus on outreach and communications,
especially to groups underrepresented among
park visitors.
February 4, 2013 7/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Mickey Fearn, Deputy Director for
Communications and Community Assistance,
National Park Service
Mr. Fearn pointed out that we, as park and
recreation professionals, do a lot of invisible work.
An example of this is when people have a good
experience in a park, they don't congratulate
government.
Even so, the quality of a society can be measured
by examining three factors, one of which is how
the people use their free time. The others are how
they care for their children and elderly and the
condition of their environment. Of course, the use
of free time relates directly back to trails.
A trail can be defined and used in many ways. For
example, it can be an outdoor resource, a tourist
attraction, a wilderness feature, a classroom; it can
be beauty and living art and an inspiration for art;
it can be a scientific laboratory, an economic
engine, an employer, a habitat and ecosystem, it
can tell a story, and be an historical and cultural
heritage center; it can be an archive, a sacred place
for reflection and contemplation, and a wellness or
fitness center.
For many of us, however, trails signify options for
use of our discretionary time. We use them to
practice survival skills; to explore our senses; to
restore our minds, bodies, and spirits; to build
communities; to build our culture; and more.
But beyond these things, we will use our park and
recreation services to inspire Americans to commit
to: civility; physical and psychological health;
conservation and environmental stewardship;
expand their recreation, educational, vocational
and career options; participate in the democratic
process; and live powerfully in demographically,
culturally and ethnically diverse communities.
What are the racial, ethical, cultural and socio-
economic implications of not using these park and
recreation resources? Diversity is critical to
building our cultural, emotional, and creative
intelligence and to creating relevant and effective
solutions to complex challenges. Leaders must be
committed to creating experiences that engage
citizens with diverse skills, perspectives and
backgrounds and that exercise leadership and help
all citizens release their full power and potential.
New possibilities, productivity, creativity and
innovation emerge when the vision, mission,
resources and expertise of diverse individuals and
different organizations come together.
It’s important to remember that we can’t use our
own values to motivate people whose culture
lifestyles and choices have emerged from a
different values system. We have to understand
how they experience us and what relevancy we
have in their world.
There is an analogy that describes one reason why
diversity is important to our park and recreation
system. Consider that our nation is composted of
four types of people. There are aware users
(basically, "50 year old white people"; the
dominant culture). There are non-aware users
(these are not constituents of the parks system;
they don't know what parks have done for them).
There are aware non-users (they don't use the
resource; they know it's there, but doesn't seem
worth the effort to go; for them it contains a low
return on investment). Last, there are the non-
aware non-users (they don't use parks and they
don’t know parks exist).
The unfortunate part of this is that, even though
our park systems have no competitors, they’re still
losing their constituency. These days, the NPS is
much like a single species forest, which is not a
healthy forest. By extension, the Washington State
Trails Coalition is not reflective of our society.
Look around the room. Where is the diversity?
This is not to say that we are discriminatory. But,
we must change the perception that conservation is
a white upper class movement. We need to
broaden the constituency. What is in the space
between rich and poor, black and white, rural and
urban? What is in that third space? We need to
have that conversation, explore that, figure that
out; then we may have the answer.
TRACK 1: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Introduction
The Community Engagement track addresses
tactics and success stories for trail outreach and
communication to diverse audiences, cultivating
volunteers and involving youth.
February 4, 2013 8/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
THE INTERTWINE: DESIGNING A
COMPREHENSIVE & INTERACTIVE
WEBSITE FOR THE PORTLAND/
VANCOUVER METROPOLITAN REGION
Jean K. Akers, Park Planner, Vancouver-Clark
Parks & Recreation Department
Mel Huie
Portland Metro
Mike Wetter
The Intertwine Alliance
Dan Miller
National Park Service; Rivers, Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program
The Intertwine Alliance promotes outreach to bring
trails groups and recreation agencies together.
This presentation discussed the Alliance’s new
website (www.theintertwine.org) that contains an
inventory of the trails and parks in the Portland-
Vancouver region. It features a searchable
database complete with maps, descriptions, links
for more information, and a “how to get there” by
car or public transportation. The speakers
discussed how the inventory of trails and parks was
conducted; how the website was developed; and
touched on other goals of the website including
stewardship, fostering volunteering, and expanding
membership in the organization.
ENGAGING YOUTH IN
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
Moderator: Krista Dooley, Youth Programs
Manager, Washington Trails Association
This panel reviewed how three local organizations
work with youth on trails. Included was a
discussion on finding the next generation of trail
stewards and what are organizations doing to
successfully engage young people today. The
speakers provided tips about what works and what
doesn’t to keep youth engaged, recruiting, insights
into using peers and social media tools, and
breaking down barriers that keep youth
from volunteering.
Sarah Weigle, Community Programs
Coordinator, Student Conservation Association
SCA strives to engage youth in the outdoors. The
organization, which is more than 50 years old, has
programs for 15-19 year olds and for young adults
18 up. Most of its community crews focus on big
city areas.
How does the SCA get and keep youth involved?
Here are six ways:
Know the audience and go where they are. Use
social media, go to local schools and events,
provide transportation, connect with families
regarding your own events, provide details
such as what food they will eat and cook while
out on projects.
Be very clear about expectations. That is,
know your goals and what you are trying to get
out of each project.
Address barriers such as the application
process, transportation, fees and paid jobs.
Allow for growth and change. Be flexible,
listen and address needs.
Have fun.
Get results.
All of the above helps establish commitment.
Jon Knechtel, Director of Trail Operations
Pacific Northwest Trail Association
The PNTA pays its trail crews minimum wage.
While getting paid helps, it’s not a universal
problem solver. For an added incentive, it’s
important to make the experience exciting. For
example, give the kids the idea of the finished
project, give them direction, and then let them
work. Distribute applications at local schools and
expect to get more applications than there
are positions.
Krista Dooley, Youth Programs Manager
Washington Trails Association
WTA has summer work programs for teens and
young adults. It provides equipment and food for
its crews while they are on the job. The
organization also makes it clear to applicants what
they can expect, both about the work and general
experience: sleeping in tents, on the ground,
getting dirty, etc.
It’s important to meet with the work group in
advance, to introduce them to needed clothes,
tools, etc.
WTA tries to work with students that need to
satisfy a service requirement. It provides an
opportunity for volunteering outdoors.
February 4, 2013 9/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
It sometimes needs to adjust work schedules to
meet the needs of its volunteers.
The WTA works with a variety of community
partners, such as the Boy Scouts, YMCA, etc.
Incentives can help. For example, the WTA
provides a personalized hard hat after participation
in 5 work parties and a trail crew vest after 25 days
volunteering. It also notes that it provides
leadership and job skills and that participants can
earn community service credit for school.
It is important for trail volunteer organizations to
recruit potential workers where they “live.”
Questions from the Audience
Q: How can we successfully recruit participants?
A: Ms. Weigle: Visit schools and talk to classes,
use the web and your alumni to help with
presentations, ask current volunteers to create a
slideshow with recent pictures; pay them, try new
things; follow up quickly when you receive an
application; provide opportunities for both
overnight and day trips/work parties.
Mr. Knechtel: Use peers/returning students to help
recruit new students.
Ms. Dooley: Networking with other community
groups and partners; ask teachers for
recommendations.
Q: How do you address liability?
A: Mr. Knechtel: PNTA crews are paid, so be sure
to pay the State Department of Labor and
Industries assessments. It is also important to have
an umbrella liability policy and written parental
consent if the participants are under 18 years old;
Washington State Patrol background checks are
also important for crew leaders.
Q: Is there a prime motivation for unpaid
volunteers?
A: Ms. Weigle: The SCA has found that it often
begins with the need to fulfill a school service
requirement, but then participants discover there is
more to it. They usually find a sense of
accomplishment.
Q: What do you say to someone worried about
working with youth due to perceptions about
laziness, cell phones, etc.?
A: Students are generally good workers once you
get them out and provide clear direction and
expectations. Be sure to provide good training for
your crew leaders. When working with a group,
try to have them bring their leader or teacher.
Q: What do you look for from sponsors/
land owners?
A: Provide the tools, gear, food, etc. From the
land managers all that is needed is the opportunity
and an on the ground walk-through. We may need
some materials if they’re asking for things like
stairs, foot bridges, etc.
Q: How do you dress the kids for weather?
A: Actually we sometimes have more trouble with
adults. First, provide a list to kids/ volunteers.
Also have some extra stuff (fleece, rain jackets),
but clear expectations upfront is key.
Q: What about front country and urban projects?
A: It is important to have a variety of projects.
This is a good opportunity to introduce kids to the
outdoors, regardless of whether it’s an urban or
backcountry trail.
Q: What about Eagle Scout projects?
These take upfront investment/planning, but then
the scout usually takes off with the project, recruits
volunteers, solicits donations, etc.
GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDING
TRAIL INFORMATION TO PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
Moderator: Sharon Mitchell
former news anchor
Georgena Moran, Founder
Access Recreation
Chuck Frayer
United States Dept. of Agriculture
Forest Service
Richard Bosch, Architect
Access Recreation is a Portland, Oregon non-profit
committee that has developed the web-based book,
Guidelines for Providing Trail Information to
People with Disabilities that tells how agencies
and organizations can share information about their
trail systems and related facilities. It is anticipated
that the information will increase opportunities and
safety by allowing trail users to make more
informed decisions as to which trails may best suit
their needs and ability levels. The guidelines are
available at www.accessrecreation.org.
February 4, 2013 10/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Among the Guideline’s recommendations are:
During the project’s design phase, consider
how the information will be conveyed
to visitors
Ensure that symbols are on all maps
Provide trail location and access information
Provide a trail difficulty rating system and
identify barriers
Provide information on amenities and type of
access to them
Describe the trail experience and its physical
characteristics.
Keep the information current. For example,
use site photos and keep maps current with
ADA symbols. Provide GPS and smart
phone coordinates.
VOLUNTEERS: BUILDING COMMUNITY
WHILE BUILDING TRAILS
Moderator: Glenn Glover, Director
Evergreen Mtn. Bike Alliance
This presentation reviewed the importance of:
Developing a sound philosophy to support a
successful volunteer program
Crafting and measuring desired outcomes
Techniques for implementing a volunteer
program, including: recruitment, working with
non-traditional communities such as at-risk
youth, elements of volunteer satisfaction,
increasing community and employer support,
land manager partnerships, and recognition
tools.
Norm Welsh
Backcountry Horsemen
For an effective volunteer experience:
Begin by crafting a strategy. Be purposeful
and know the types of organizations to partner
with for the common good: advisory groups,
politicians, parks and recreation groups, Boy
Scouts, etc.
Create a plan: consider including a volunteer
reward event with food and entertainment.
Be sure to communicate: establish your dates
early, send out Save-the-Date postcards, invite
the media and highly visible supporters such as
agency leaders and politicians
Administrate effectively: slot the right people
into the right roles and have a clearly defined
and manageable goal.
Jason Wells
International Mountain Bicycle Association
Finding volunteers:
o Seek out nontraditional partners. For
example, if you need to re-vegetate around
a trail, seek out a garden club. If you need
help in building a trail, consider Boy
Scouts.
o Carefully consider volunteer management:
Keep the event to 3-4 hours
Follow with a fun event, such as a
ride, hike, or BBQ
Feed your volunteers.
Be clear with expectations from the start; make
sure that your workers can complete the
project and “own” it.
How to keep them coming back:
o Be liberal with verbal appreciation
o To help with ownership, see if there is any
interest in naming something they’ve built,
such as a berm
o Provide door prizes and food
o Keep your event short
o Involve families, including giving different
roles for different skill sets. For example,
allow someone to bake muffins instead
of digging.
Communicate with your partners; try to
establish one person as liaison to minimize
communication problems.
Clarify expectations regarding such factors as
the weather and clothing
Clarify organizations roles, such as who
decides when the work day is over.
Involve experienced staff with the “non-
traditional” volunteer partners; that is,
someone who “speaks the language”
February 4, 2013 11/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Remember: people are there to learn and grow,
so try to focus their experience by offering
strong and experienced leadership.
Karen Daubert, Executive Director
Washington Trails Association
Volunteerism: The Secret Sauce
What a joy it is to work with volunteers giving
back! In 2011, WTA logged more than 100,000
volunteer hours. We think the tone for this success
is set by our crew leaders, assistant crew leaders
and other staff. It is their consistent message that
motivates our volunteers and keeps them coming
back. The message or “Secret Sauce” is safety,
having fun, and getting the work done.
Safety: we give the same talk on every trip
Fun is vital. If people have fun they’ll come
back again and again. We’ve had participants
express sadness because an event is ending.
We have volunteers schedule vacations around
our events, one person even turned 85 during
one of our work events. On that occasion, we
spent the week celebrating that person. But
this doesn’t “just happen.” Our leaders are
trained on how to have fun and how to
deal with problems.
Accomplishment: In the end, the works gets
done and the volunteers are proud of their
accomplishments.
WTA offers three types of events:
Day trip: closer in, defined amount of time,
food; an example is the Mailbox Peak project.
Volunteer vacation: logistically more complex;
pack-animal supported, with all food carried
in; camaraderie is involved in developing the
base camp.
Back country response teams: these are more
hard core; volunteers supply their own gear
and pack in the tools.
Other WTA programs:
Youth program: very important for the future.
We’re trying different things, such as our
youth college week and using social media.
Families Go Hiking newsletter: went from 400
to 2,000 subscribers in less than year
The needs are practically unlimited and our mantra
remains unchanged: be safe, have fun, get the
work done!
Mike Westra
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Empowering Volunteers
In any trail project, it is important to start with
something the community can get excited about.
The three themes in this presentation are: flowing
trails, kids and families throughout the project, and
a progression that enables riders to advance from
easier to more challenging trails.
It is important to recognize that volunteer
recruitment follows a progression: attract them,
involve them, train them, put them to work,
recognize and reward them, and repeat.
In one type of project we:
Find there is widespread community interest in
doing things differently
Begin with big work parties
Divided the project into units and assign
ownership of these units to different groups
Alter our typical volunteer recruitment such
that we seek user groups that already have trail
building skills, engaged them to promote this
particular project, empowered them by
assigning high level objectives and specific
metrics, manage them with light touch, and
recognized and rewarded them.
Examples:
For individual project features we assign Eagle
Scout candidates.
For trail sections, we delegate to specific
teams, including those working toward a high
school senior project; and we ensure they
understand the finished project criteria.
In one instance, a 16-year old volunteered as
project manager. He then got sponsorship from a
local bike shop. The boy virtually lived on that
trail and eventually became our youth ambassador.
Questions from the Audience
Q: Do you try to engage people with disabilities
into trail building and use of trails?
A: Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance: weak on
that; don’t have good outreach.
February 4, 2013 12/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
WTA: could be doing better; more of our trip
reports refer to the need for paved trails accessible
to strollers and wheel chairs.
IMBA: has a project in Oklahoma involving hand-
cycle compatible trails where disabled veterans
hunt on property; funded by landowner.
Audience comment: design your trail for people
that are mobility challenged; a trail does not need
to be asphalted, the key is proper slopes and
compaction.
Q: Trail crew leaders: what are the criteria for a
good volunteer experience?
A: Play to the strengths of the people involved.
Begin by getting to know your group. The
“Strengths Finder” tool is $15 per person and a
good investment.
Leadership: they should be comfortable and
confident with the ability to motivate. Technical
skills can be taught. The limiting factor is finding
the right people.
Empathy: They need the ability to think about
something from other person’s perspective. That
is, what is the other person seeing or thinking?
Ask for feedback at end of volunteer event about
who was good, who has potential.
VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP GROUPS:
WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY OFFER
Lori Raymaker, Stewardship Coordinator
Kitsap County Parks & Recreation
This session focused on bringing trail users
together to create positive and collaborative trail
experiences and environments. Discussion items
included a range of methods, tactics and
approaches to help land managers, trail users and
volunteers achieve more positive outcomes.
Included was information on tapping into younger
people’s more diverse and Internet connected
world to increase their trail participation and
address diverse trail collaborations.
Our volunteer types include:
Episodic – that is, school, church, and military;
primary focus is single day projects for a
large group
Adopt-A-Park – they maintain parks, follow a
task list and work directly with park staff
Park stewardship groups – they agree to long
term commitments to manage and maintain
specific parks for the county; they work from
the park’s master or concept plan or they will
create a stewardship plan; they work
independent of staff, though staff does monitor
their work.
Why we created the stewardship group:
Large geographic area, lot of acres. Staff levels
are low; not enough to manage or maintain
sites or to manage the volunteers.
Stewardship groups increase our capacity
Twelve of our 79 sites are managed and
maintained by stewardship groups; we have
about 4,000 acres and our large sites comprise
60% of these acres
Advantages of these volunteer groups:
They’re passionate and advocate for parks
They have a sense of ownership and take a
great interest in their jobs
Disadvantages of the volunteer groups:
Union issues: balance union tasks and
volunteers. With the union and staff, discuss
any perception of threats to their positions by
volunteer labor. Generally, stewardship
volunteer groups are more active in parks that
are focused on open space parks.
Bureaucracy: a main job is shielding the
volunteers from red tape, which can be
frustrating.
Ownership: Volunteers can develop a sense of
ownership and entitlement. Because of this,
they will sometimes do things without the
proper authority, contrary to county plans or
laws, and then need to be reminded that the
land is public, especially around liability
issues.
Basic issues:
Insurance issues: county has medical and
liability insurance for volunteers
Some groups will need the volunteers to
supply their own tools. Be sure to clarify
expectations upfront that the county has few
resources for them.
The group will need to pay for permits
supplies, etc. on their own. This includes any
February 4, 2013 13/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
items needed for fundraising, grant writing,
and donations.
What to look for in a stewardship group:
The group should be passionate; they really
“want to do this.” For example, Ms. Raymaker
has a playground project for which she
approached church, preschool, and high school
groups. No one had the passion and drive, so
she’s not sure it will “go.” She wants a long
term commitment.
All successful groups have come to Ms.
Raymaker and asked what they can do. In
some cases groups perceived that they were
going to lose something if they didn’t act. For
example, a park or trail would close. The need
during these tough economic times is high.
A diverse group provides checks and balances.
Hikers, bicyclists, etc. have different visions,
so there is a need to balance user groups
Explain what’s involved at the first meeting.
Expectations—be very honest.
Tell them to start small and then build.
The group doesn’t have to be 501(c)(3)
Aim for diversity: you become smarter when
talking with people different from you.
o Pay attention to checks and balances
between interest groups such as bicyclists,
equestrians, conservationists.
o Also note the need for diverse functions
such as strategic planners, maintenance,
leaders, etc.
Organizing groups
o Let them figure it out and become their
own nonprofit; or, partner with an existing
nonprofit. This helps build ownership.
o Leaders will emerge.
Review the park master plan so the group
knows to fit their ideas into the larger plan.
o Make sure they know that county’s plan
trumps their ideas.
o For example, if a concept plan includes a
soccer field; their trail may need to be
moved when the county gets funding for
soccer field.
o If there is no county plan for the park, the
group may propose a stewardship plan.
Next steps: more meetings.
Brainstorming
Organization: helpful for agency if there’s a
chair (main contact) and secretary (take notes
at meetings).
Group decides how often to meet and how to
communicate.
Group decides their activities; for example,
will their work parties include the public?
Leaders emerge; select officers to serve one or
two year term. That way group can evolve;
other good reasons.
Lori’s role:
Recordkeeping: Volgistics.com provides a
good online tool; costs $115/month for 2,000
volunteers and can be accessed from smart
phones.
o Registers all volunteers except episodic
volunteers of which there are too many.
o History tab: training, liability forms.
o Tracks hours by volunteer, project, etc.
o Flags by stewardship group.
o Contact information
o Makes it very easy to get information for
reports.
Online component: county website, people can
register online and information goes into a
database. People get password, put in
volunteer hours, etc.
Medical insurance: provides secondary injury
coverage just while they’re volunteering or
proven to be caused volunteer activity.
County is self-insured; volunteers are covered
for liability for projects approved by county.
Is budgeted as administrative cost.
Diversity is important. If working on a multi-use
trail, ensure the mountain bikers, for example,
understand they must recruit other user types.
Background checks: they don’t do them.
Volunteers are never in a supervisory role and
February 4, 2013 14/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
vulnerable persons, for example children, are never
without a responsible adults present.
Regarding volunteer training, be sure to empower
them. Insofar as is practical, let them make
the decisions.
With skilled volunteers, such as loggers, let
them run chain saws. Ensure the proper
county forms, agreements and safety protocols
are completed.
Be an advocate for volunteers; understand and
respect their expertise; troubleshoot with
county about how to make it happen.
Don’t waste volunteers’ time or expertise.
Protect your agency while empowering
volunteers; develop a good relationship with
the risk management department.
When volunteer know you’re looking out for them,
retention rates are greatly improved.
BRIDGES OF COOPERATION:
YACOLT BURN
This presentation provided a view into the recent
recreation planning and implementation process
for the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Presented from
agency and the user group perspectives, this story
is about the process of bridging the gaps between
multiple recreational groups to facilitate agreement
on a forest recreation plan to bring new trail
opportunities to Southwest Washington.
Brian Poehlein
State Department of Natural Resources
The state began the Yacolt Burn recreational
planning process six years ago. This area is a
“working forest,” which means it produces timber
for market. The DNR, however, wanted to ensure
that it also continues to provide a variety of
recreational opportunities.
We began the planning process by first identifying
local issues and management strategies relevant to
the area. We also noted the need for the final
recreational plan to meet the conditions set forth in
other commitments and plans, such as the Forest
Plan, Western Yacolt Plan, and HCP
planning units.
As planning progressed, we sent two grant
proposals to the state Recreation and Conservation
Office’s Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle
Activities Program: one for motorized access and
one for non-motorized access. Ultimately,
$140,000 was awarded to complete the plans.
Among the first steps was to inventory existing
facilities such as campgrounds, trailheads, and day
use facilities. It was also important to note the
close proximity of these areas to populous and very
rapidly growing Vancouver, Portland, Camas/
Washougal, and Kelso areas.
The list of elements considered during the planning
process included:
Existing trail miles
Built facilities
The American's with Disabilities Act
Safety
Dispersed recreation activities such as
hunting, fishing
Minimizing environmental impacts such as
wet crossings that impact salmon and
educational opportunities
Next, we developed an accomplishment timeline
and organized planning groups:
DNR advisory group
DNR core planning group
Recreation planning group
We also formed a recreation planning committee
composed of: neighbors, dispersed recreationists
(hunters, fishers, etc.), conservation groups, and
user groups (motorized). Each of these groups
needed to be connected in the community and not
just their own interest group.
Ultimately we met 12 times in 14 months,
including 2 field trips and developed cooperative
results that all agreed to. Our consultant developed
some initial designs for a campground, parking
area, and trailhead. Composite maps were also a
part of this process, including draft placement of
motorized and nonmotorized trails.
In conclusion, this hasn’t necessarily been a quick
process, and we have run into implementation
challenges, including litigation, but we are
confident that we’ve chosen the right path and will
soon have a top notch facility.
February 4, 2013 15/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Crystal Crowder
Pacific Northwest Four-Wheel Drive Assoc.
Planning the Yacolt Burn Forest, from a
recreationist’s perspective, has been a challenge.
Ms. Crowder’s “Pistons Wild Motorsport Club” is
for all types of motor sports and it was interested in
re-establishing four-wheel drive trails in the Yacolt
Burn Forest. Its goal was to work cooperatively
with other off-road vehicle organizations, agencies
and the public to improve image issues.
It was agreed that area-specific meetings would be
a good way for the various user groups to meet in a
non-conflict environment, versus meeting on the
trail. The strategy involved:
“Outbound education,” including clean up of
abandoned cars and other debris; restoration of
areas damaged by four-wheel drive use; raising
funds to help in these efforts, and participation
on committees and advisory groups. The club
interacted and learned from other user groups.
Internal education: within the off-road
community, education about the forest and
changing attitudes; involvement in DNR’s
Forest Watch Program; brochures focused on
ORV community and how to do the right
thing—distributed heavily. Social media
pressure and website/forum; keeping member
of the ORV community informed about
planning process.
Partner education: finding opportunities for
other people to participate in ORV activities,
including agency partners.
Public relations: a national group picked up on
our website and the BF Goodrich Tire
Company provided a $4,000 award.
Future goals: more good outreach and get trails
implemented.
Questions from the Audience
Q: We know that coalition groups may achieve
committee agreement which sometimes disappears
when their recommendations are presented to
individual user groups. How do you handle that?
A: Ms. Crowder says she has learned so much;.
Her approach is to take what she’s learned back to
her home group and was fortunate in that the group
she worked with had strong individuals and was
well informed. They used social media, which
helped with internal education. Everything learned
from them was conveyed to the home group.
Q: How many miles of unauthorized trails
were there?
A: About 110 miles of motorized unauthorized
trails. The new plan calls for 75-80 miles of
authorized trails.
Q: Will that be enough?
A: That is always a concern. This amount of trail
will give a full day and more experience
PARTNERING WITH YOUTH
CONSERVATION CORPS: CREATING A
CONTINUUM OF TRAIL STEWARDS
Jeff Parker
Executive Director, Northwest Youth Corps
This presentation included: a brief history of the
Youth Conservation Corps, an introduction to
corps programs operating in Washington State, a
description of the expertise that corps programs
bring, and an analysis of typical funding streams.
The presentation highlighted how corps programs
play a critical link in creating the next generation
of trail stewards, as well as an update on the
progress of the 21st Century Conservation and
Service Corps initiative being jointly developed by
the Department of Interior and Department
of Agriculture.
The Northwest Youth Corps is part of the Public
Lands Service Coalition. Its mission is to promote
youth service jobs on public and tribal lands and
waters. This includes expanding opportunities and
addressing critical needs in the face of:
High youth and veteran unemployment
Delayed facility maintenance on public lands
Other issues including the need to develop
future natural resources leaders.
The corps began in 1933 as the Citizen
Conservation Corps which evolved into the Youth
Conservation Corps and Young Adult
Conservation Corps in the 1970s. In 1981 funding
was eliminated and various state and local
programs were started, though some federal
agencies kept small programs. Today, there are
142 regional and local corps nationwide in many
different entities.
February 4, 2013 16/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
The typical corps members are 16-25 years old and
looking for direction. The models vary and
members may be middle school to grad school
graduates. Common elements include: esprit, short
term service with a public benefit, a focus on civic
duty and citizenship, and job skill development.
The programs’ outcomes vary from improving
recreational opportunities and implementing
conservation projects, to service on wildfire crews
and forest thinning projects.
Many corps programs are self-contained with their
own staff, transportation, etc. They can do
backcountry work that is hard for other volunteer
groups. Studies show that youth corps can save 56
cents on dollar.
In Washington, several corps programs are
operating: the Northwest Youth Corps, the Student
Conservation Association, the WCC, EarthCorps,
and the Washington Trails Association.
Currently, there is a national effort to re-invigorate
these youth programs. The Department of Interior
now has a Youth Office and youth employment
goals. Secretary Salazar is a big advocate.
Further, President Obama’s America’s Great
Outdoors report recommended in favor of
catalyzing establishment of the corps and there is a
federal advisory committee working on the issue.
Jeff Parker is on this committee.
Questions from the Audience
Q: How do you plan to make each of these
programs have some kind of standard for youth
leadership and youth training?
A: We are asking these programs several things.
Definitional questions: what population do you
work with; do you make efforts to encourage
diversity?
What are the program’s qualitative elements:
risk management, financial capacity?
What are the member outcomes: do you hit
one of the four, including what certifications
do your members receive; do they receive
education: academic credit or an
AmeriCorps award?
Q: Where does the funding come from?
A: There are different approaches. For example:
the National Park Service contracts out a lot;
should examine their practice to see if it can be
diverted to corps projects. Are there appropriate
ways to divert funds to do things differently?
The federal agency secretaries, including Secretary
Salazar, say there will be “an ask.” But the
committee doesn’t yet know the specifics.
Q: Why are Southwest Airlines and REI on the
advisory committee?
A: They have a corporate interest and are helping
strategize for corporate funding. They’re also a
source of in-kind donations. For example,
Southwest contributed its in-house branding
expertise.
Q: What does it cost to hire a crew?
A: Northwest Youth Corp comes with everything;
it’s “turn-key.” Its contract is typically the dollar
amount for hours of work; usually $18-$20
per hour. WTA charges per crew week. SCA does
a lot of different things; individuals, crews of
different sizes, etc.
The hiring organization needs to provide project
direction, not supervision.
Comment: The corps provides the match
requirement as value added; the youth are earning
a pay check.
The Northwest Youth Corps received a $1.4
million paycheck; the multiplier is 2.8 to
communities where kids live. They also take a
work ethic back to their communities.
Q: Have you experimented with putting volunteers
out with week-long corps project?
A: Northwest Youth Corps doesn’t do that. In
working with youth, background checks and other
restrictions apply.
Comment: There are other problems with mixing
volunteers with crews. But there’s a real benefit to
longtime employees when they pass on their
knowledge as legacy.
Comment: I oversaw a corps group working with a
“friends” group and they can work very well.
Comment: WTA would love to have corps
member alumni involvement!
February 4, 2013 17/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
CONCURRENT SESSION: WORKING
TOGETHER FOR OREGON TRAILS
Facilitator: Al LePage
Steering Committee, Oregon Trails Coalition
This workshop focused on providing for
advocacy, education, and assistance to develop
and maintain non-motorized recreational trails
across Oregon. Discussion topics included an
evolving coalition targeting Oregon trail
enthusiasts that hike, bike, paddle, or ride horses.
A core group of twelve people participated
primarily from trail organizations, but
government, individuals and other groups also
attended. Geographically, people traveled from
the Portland metro area, Eugene, Corvallis and
Yachats. Both men and women attended.
The session began with a review of the progress
made in the last two years by the emerging
Oregon trails coaltion including: (1) developing a
mission statement that includes working together
to develop and maintain non-motorized
recreational trails across the state and (2) agreeing
on the goals of providing for advocacy, education,
and assistance. The session then focused on
specific strategies and objectives relative to
these goals.
Next, the facilitator will organize the material into
a draft strategic plan to be discussed in spring
2013 at a trails meeting in Portland where the
draft would be considered for approval.
TRACK 2: PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
Introduction
This conference track addresses strategies to help
your trail project gain traction, including
successful fundraising, partnerships and coalition-
building, and legislation and advocacy.
THE CARBON RIVER CORRIDOR TO
MOUNT RAINER NATIONAL PARK
Moderator: Bryan Bowden, Community
Planner, Mount Rainier National Park
This presentation provided information about the
multiple partnerships and collaborative efforts
working to develop and implement a coordinated
management plan for the Carbon River corridor
from the Town of Wilkeson to Mount Rainier
National Park. When complete, the plan will
feature the Foothills “Glacier to Sound” Trail as its
centerpiece and will establish goals for
conservation of natural and cultural resources and
for public recreation throughout the corridor. It
will also describe roles and responsibilities for
local, state and federal agencies and non-profit
organizations in achieving those goals.
Randy King, Superintendent
Mount Rainier National Park
Mr. King provided an overview of the project and
showed a map of the Carbon River Corridor
Partnership Vision. He emphasized the importance
of the different partners and stakeholders,
including Pierce County and Forterra, a Northwest
conservation organization, and how they are
developing a memorandum of understanding and
plan to have a vision by spring 2013 that includes
stakeholder roles.
He clarified that the project includes a boundary
expansion for the park and that the corridor
planning and conservation goals are in partly in
response to the dynamic nature of the Carbon
River, including repeated flooding and road
washouts. He noted that acquisitions have relied
on many partners and funding from many sources,
including the Land and Water Conservation Fund,
Pierce County open space funds, and the Foothill
Trails Coalition.
Kathy Kravit-Smith, Director
Pierce Co. Department of Parks and Recreation
Ms. Kravit-Smith observed that this is a good time
for visioning because “we’re all broke.” She
discussed the Foothills Trail segments that are
already in place in Pierce County: Puyallup to
South Prairie, South Prairie to Buckley, and
Wilkeson to Mt. Rainier National Park boundary.
She also gave information on three properties
totaling 1500 acres that Pierce County owns in the
corridor: Carbon River Valley “Regional Park”
(undeveloped), Fairfax town site (home of an
inland sawmill), and Fairfax property (site of the
Fairfax Bridge).
She further noted that these properties—when
developed as trails/parks—will be an opportunity
for public to learn about the history and culture of
the area and that government work, government
resources, and the people of Pierce County who
care passionately about the trail, are all important
to this process.
February 4, 2013 18/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Pat Johnson, Mayor
City of Buckley; Foothills Trail Coalition Board
Mayor Johnson talked about her family’s roots in
the area and the important role the City of Buckley
has in providing services in the area. She noted
that the vision for the Foothills Trail started in
Buckley and caught on. Currently, the town has a
four-mile stretch of paved rail trail. Orting started
with one mile and expanded it in both directions.
Trail-related business is booming there which she
would like to see happen in Buckley.
She emphasized the importance of partnerships;
government can’t do it without coalitions and
nonprofits as advocates. She gave an example of a
property that was being foreclosed that the
Foothills Trails Coalition was able to quickly
purchase, while it was available
Questions from the Audience
Q: What can be done if one landowner is holding
a project hostage?
A: Sometimes it can be a long negotiation, perhaps
lasting 20 years. Sometimes government has to
assert eminent domain. People love a trail once
it’s established—bringing the reality of a trail and
its economic benefits to people can help.
Q. The Carbon River Road’ environmental
assessment shows no parking at the road’s end.
A. The area has never had adequate parking and
flooding has made it worse. The park is exploring
different options, including adding parking on
property owned by The Mountaineers and
a shuttle.
Q. There is a predetermined rail corridor in the
area. Has there been any move away from that
corridor during trail planning?
A. We own the old railroad corridor, but we’re not
that far along with the planning.
THE STORY OF THE CAPE HORN TRAIL
Moderator: Renee Tkach, Project Manager
Gorge Towns to Trails
The story of the Cape Horn Trail began over 20
years ago, when a few people and Friends of the
Gorge’s founder, Nancy Russell, saw the
opportunity to open this amazing area to the public
in the form of a hiking trail. The dilemma was that
there were few public lands to make this happen,
but that didn’t stop the dream for a trail system on
the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge.
Over the years land was acquired by the Forest
Service and the vision for a trail began to move
towards reality. The Friends of the Gorge led the
way with a successful, $4 million dollar
fundraising campaign which brought wide-spread
public awareness and engagement, along with the
funds to acquire the last two remaining properties
to bridge a loop trail system. Partnerships have
been the key to success.
The Cape Horn preservation story began with
stopping a 16 lot subdivision. At that time; there
were no protections in place and Nancy Russell
had to borrow $300,000 to lend interest free to the
Trust for Public Land so it could purchase the
parcel in 1987. More purchases followed. The
Friends of the Columbia Gorge undertook a $4
million campaign to purchase two parcels that
would have been in the way of the trail.
Stan Hinatsu, Recreation Planner for the
National Scenic Area, Forest Service
The Forest Service gave context to the Columbia
Gorge National Scenic Area. It now has a defined
partnership among the Forest Service, Gorge
Commission, and six counties and encompasses
300 acres of which about 50 percent is managed by
the Forest Service. It receives about 2 million
visitors a year and there is a high demand for
access due to its proximity to Portland metro area.
To date, 30,000 acres has been acquired by Forest
Service with help from its partners, mostly on the
Washington side and near the eastern end of
the Gorge.
Because some uses in the Cape Horn area were
already established, it meant that problems needed
to be addressed: poorly located trails, dangerous
access points, increasing conflicts with neighbors
and vandalism. There were also natural resource
conflicts because of the rare plants, peregrine
falcons, salamanders, and cliff habitat in the area.
The Forest Service had no funding for planning or
implementation of remedies and there was no
common vision. Then a key partner stepped up—
the Cape Horn Conservancy. Developing a
common vision was not an easy process. Fostering
relationships took a lot of time and field trips.
Passionate and committed stakeholders drove
the process.
February 4, 2013 19/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
At present, the area has about two miles of trail,
two bridges, an overlook, an ADA accessible
section, and two pedestrian tunnels under
Highway 14.
Paul Pearce, Commissioner
Skamania County
Has there been controversy? You bet! But Nancy
Russell was a Republican who believed in private
property rights. She wasn’t a “tree-hugger”
coming into tell the county what to do.
The Scenic Area has brought a lot of positive
things and new economy to the community. Pieces
of the trail had existed for a long time—people
were crossing Hwy 14 and walking along the road,
which was a dangerous condition. The County
was able to obtain a park-and-ride area that also
serves as trail head, which has had many benefits.
Public safety was a good selling point, especially
for the pedestrian underpasses which were built
using a Federal Forest Highways grant.
Ryan Ojerio
Washington Trails Association
WTA’s roles in this area include advocacy and
outreach, volunteer development in trail
construction skills, trail design and
implementation. The challenges include: funding,
coordination, and design constraints. The
organization’s successes have included: obtaining
grants, working in partnerships, and teachable
moments.
Teresa Robbins, President
Cape Horn Conservancy
It was important to have all players at the table to
resolve issues related to protection and public use
of the Cape Horn area and to come to a shared
vision. We especially needed to deal with trust
issues and lawsuits. In one sense, it is remarkable
that we all did come together.
The Cape Horn Conservancy is very actively
coordinating and advocating. It wanted a
spectacular trail, not a mediocre one. For that to
happen, compromise was needed. For example,
some people wanted the trail open all year, but
there was the constraint of nesting peregrine
falcons in the area which resulted in closing half
the trail for half of the year.
The Conservancy, which is now a 501(c)(3) and
approved by the Forest Service, is the steward of
the trail and provides many services, including:
regular trail inspection; weed eradication; trail
promotion; a safe forum for resolution of issues;
trash and graffiti removal; and a conduit for grants
and fund raising.
A key element of this success story is continued
bimonthly communication and ongoing
development of vision and direction. The
Conservancy is building ranks and commitment for
future trail development, from Washougal to
Stevenson. It is an exceptional model of
collaboration and of how it is still possible to
achieve great legacies.
Questions from the Audience
Q: How did the Friends of the Columbia Gorge
raise $4 million?
A: They had a strong fundraising team. Nancy
Russell was the key driver to the success of the
campaign. The lead donor of $1 million, from
Seattle, had never met Nancy Russell but was
inspired by her story and energy.
Q: What is a federal Forest Highways grant?
A: The Forest Highway Enhancement Grant
program has now changed. Grants come to the
state and applications for projects now go to the
state Department of Transportation. In the past,
there was no match requirement. Now there is a
13 percent match requirement.
Q: Is the Cape Horn Conservancy an all volunteer
organization? What about succession planning?
A: Yes, it is all volunteer. The energy in the
organization is building, so it will be self-
sustaining. They are targeting people who are
newly retired and high school students
Q: Whom is the trail for?
A: Parts are hiker only; these are class 1. Parts are
for equestrian and hikers; these are class 2. Also,
there is an ADA accessible area, a 7.5 mile loop.
The lower half is closed February 1 – July 15.
February 4, 2013 20/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
THE TRAIL/TRANSPORTATION
CONNECTION – PLANNING, FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE
Ed Spilker, Scenic Byways Prog. Coordinator
Washington Dept. Transportation
Charlotte Claybrooke, Transportation Planner
Washington Dept. Transportation
Ian Macek, Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Washington Dept. Transportation
This panel discussed past trail/transportation
project successes, challenges, design elements, and
future funding opportunities. It provided
information about the Pedestrian and Bicycle
Program, Scenic Byways Program (no longer a
stand-alone program) and Safe Routes to School
Program. The focus was on the connection
between transportation and trails from a planning,
design and user perspective.
The importance of protecting vulnerable road users
was noted, including youths and the aged and
disabled populations. Many of these groups are
unable to cross streets easily. Many older
Americans state that if they had safe travel routes
that they would walk more. For such groups,
mobility options are important.
Transportation planners work to help create
healthy and livable communities. To this end, they
work towards stakeholder involvement, including
encouraging agency involvement. They also
collect data such as current plans, collision
information, and use patterns and preferences.
Regarding the disabled population, many factors
are important such as appropriate grade, surface,
and width. Signs are also important and
considerations include consistency, provision of
information, and safety.
Authorities, for example ASHTO, are now
discouraging the use of bollards on trail
intersections. There are other alternatives and
bollards have proved to be dangerous.
YOUTH ENGAGED IN PLANNING: THREE
STRATEGIES, THREE PROJECTS,
THREE STATES
Emily Linroth, Communications Specialist
National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and
Conservation Assistance Program
Aaron Brown, Program Manager
Intertwine Alliance
Mitch Long, Project Specialist
City of Roslyn
How can we use trails to connect kids with the
great outdoors? An even more challenging
question is how can we give youth a voice in
planning these trails? The National Park Service’s
Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance
Program helps build partnerships for community-
driven recreation and conservation projects that
often include trails. This session provided three
examples of innovative ways to involve youth in
trail projects.
(Notes for this session are not available)
DOING TRAILS THE FOOTHILLS WAY
Moderator: Dr. Ernest C. Bay, President
Emeritus, Foothills Trails Coalition
John Ernest Berry III, Courtesy Patrol
Foothills Trails Coalition
Gordon F. (Buzz) Grant, President
Foothills Trails Coalition
Bob Kastama, Co-chair,
Friends of the Puyallup Riverwalk
Diane Kastama, Board of Directors
Foothills Trails Coalition
Senator Jim Kastama, District 25
Washington State Legislature
One of the most successful trail efforts in recent
years has been led by the Foothills Rails-to-Trails
Coalition. In this session, coalition experts shared
their success stories, focusing on elements of fund
raising, coalition building and legislative
advocacy. Among the many strategies reviewed in
this session were:
Using elected officials as conveners; to bring
people together and muster support
February 4, 2013 21/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Establishing a good plan, including a mission
statement, goals, objectives, and a shared
vision
Using local businesses to help sponsor events
and help with advertising
Using incentives, such as raffles, to involve
the businesses
Giving credit where it is due and the related
benefits to the business
Purchasing locally, even though it can cost a
bit more it can help gain a supporter
Involving the local media
Finding the right partners, such as Volksport
walkers
Involving other towns and communities along
the trail
Joining other organizations to build
cooperation
Establishing your organization as a 501(c)(3),
and thus eligible as a tax deduction for donors
Seeking out in-kind donations such as staging
areas which can bring revenue to the site
donors
Becoming a vital part of the city’s agenda and
getting electeds involved
Maintaining a presence on the trail, staying in
the public’s eye
Developing a sense of community trail
ownership and responsibility
Adding interest and diversity to the trail by
including unusual, but appropriate, elements,
such as bear carvings, plantings, graffiti art, or
a major destination exhibit.
FROM ZERO TO 3.5 MPH IN 12 YEARS:
THE EFFORTS OF THE SAN JUAN ISLAND
TRAILS COMMITTEE
Bill Severson & Dave Zeretzke
San Juan Island Trails Steering Committee
This session provided information on more than 12
years of work by the San Juan Island Trails
Committee to facilitate the creation, use and
maintenance of a network of non-motorized trails
on San Juan Island. Discussion topics included:
The mission and structure of the committee
Key public and private partnerships
Fundraising
Creation of the trail plan
Easements/licenses
Leadership issues
Their local trails conference
Public education
Trail construction & maintenance
Trail use issues.
Recommendations:
Use GPS to map/digitize all existing features
related to the trail
Develop the web site to be a one stop resource
Lead hikes for families
Focus on opportunities
Build partnerships
Seek help and collaboration with the National
Park Service
Create a hiking accomplishment passport to
encourage people to do different hikes
Know your walks.
STRATEGIES FOR NAVIGATING THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS
Jenny Bailey, Senior Planner
Parametrix, Inc.
Trails are bridges that connect people with the
environment as they engage in active and passive
recreation or travel to work and other destinations.
Whether a trail is in the backcountry or the city,
people enjoy trails that offer a natural experience
and a way to see great places, such as viewpoints,
shorelines, estuaries, forests, wetlands, and
streams. However, gaining the necessary permits
and approvals for trails in places with great
environmental resources can be tricky. This is
especially true for paved, multi-use trails in areas
with land use and topographic constraints. This
February 4, 2013 22/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
session discussed strategies and considerations for
early project development that can make the design
and environmental approval processes easier
to navigate.
The bridge between the built environment and
natural environment can be difficult to get
permitted. There are, however, some principles
that can make things easier. For example, do your
homework. That is, know what questions to ask
and when to ask them. Two important
questions are:
What’s the purpose and need for the project?
Is it a transportation project? Will it encourage
exercise, enjoyment of nature, etc.?
Who owns the property, whose land does the
trail cross, is it public and/or private?
TRACK 3: MANAGING TRAILS
ON THE GROUND
This track addressed case studies and
presentations focused on effective trail design and
construction as well as best practices for resource
protection and managing trail use.
DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF MULTI-
USE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS
Art Tuftee
Professional Trail Builders Association and
International Mountain Bicycling Association
Successfully accommodating bikes on a trail
requires design techniques that can often be subtle,
but will make a big difference in how well the trail
performs. A well designed trail blends with the
landscape, is sustainable, and provides a satisfying
user experience. The techniques used to manage
water and control rider flow must be considered
together and implemented in a way that fits with
the local terrain.
This session focused on harmonizing the key
elements of good trail design so that the functions
are complementary and result in a great trail with
low maintenance needs.
Among the points made in this presentation were:
Designing for cross country all terrain bikes is
different from other types of bicycling.
Trail design and maintenance should be led by
user expectations.
Use guidelines rather than standards to focus
on problem solving, sustainability, a good fit
with the environment, rider “flow”, and low
impact trails.
Try to ensure the finished trail meets meet
three criteria: 1) It offers a good user
experience; 2) It is natural; and 3) It is
sustainable.
In developing your trail, use complementary
features such as drain dips at curves and wide turns
on switchbacks. Think of sustainability when
planning for cutting switchbacks through the use of
stepping stones. Use a 10 percent maximum
average grade and mix the trail’s grades for better
experience.
Try to solve trail development challenges by using
complementary solutions. For example, to reduce
erosion, add an out slope to the trail. Consider the
causes of erosion: climbing, braking, skidding, and
turning. The force a bike exerts is often
perpendicular to the trail and compacts the soil. If
a bike is turning, then you have compaction and
displacement which creates a berm that can be
used to help channel drainage. It is important to
limit the amount of water on a trail.
It is not about linking point A to point B. Rather, it
is all about the experience: nature, exercise,
adventure, challenge, exploration,
accomplishment, socializing, solitude, speed, flow,
and fluid transitions. Flow is particularly
important. Riders want to maintain momentum
without braking.
Also consider how the trail fits with the
environment, does is blend, is it aesthetic? Are the
transitions smooth, and are there few straight
segments? If you fit the trail to the landscape, then
the issues related to sustainability and flow
are resolved.
Water bars: When properly installed, the classic
water bar is good for getting water off the trail.
The problem is they often disrupt the rider flow
because braking is often needed which gradually
fills the drainage with dirt. This is not natural and
can be a safety issue. An alternative to a water bar
is a check dam of wood or rock; keep it natural,
perhaps 90 degrees to the trail so that it becomes a
trail feature.
February 4, 2013 23/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Grade dips are important. Water drops sediment,
braking loosens tread material. Nature is always
trying to flatten the tread which is not sustainable
and is not good riding experience. The solution is
to install rolling grade dips. These are a bit of
work, but it causes the trail to drain better,
enhances the riding flow, and if natural depressions
are used, they are not too difficult to install.
Curves:
Off camber curve are not good for riders.
They are intended for drainage but will cause
high displacement that will cause a berm and a
muddy spots to form. Further, the wet spots
will encourage riders to go to the outside
causing tread creep and more braking erosion.
Off camber curves are not natural.
An in-slope curve is much better: High
compaction forces will send drainage to the
inside so if berm develops it will not block
water flow; it will be fun to ride, cause less
braking. Keep the in-slope perpendicular to
the rider’s lean. Make it 15-20 percent. You
will still need to address drainage, so try to
handle it before or after the turn. Add drain
dips before to help slow riders down.
Curves and dips in combination are good, but
try to place curves on rises so water runs away.
Switchbacks:
Be sure to provide as much radius as possible.
Add grade dips above and below to reduce
water flow.
Note that front and rear tires track in different
paths. A 3-4 foot trail width is good. The
dimension at the apex of the turn is the most
important.
The out slope edge of the turn must be
reinforced with rock or logs. This is a great
place to invest time and do it right.
The tread will usually begin to creep into a
turn. The solution is to add large rock, or route
the turn around a tree.
TRAIL ETIQUETTE, ETHICS,
AND EDUCATION: CONFLICT
AND COOPERATION
Moderator: Reed Waite
Leave No Trace Master Educator
Where has common sense gone? With increasing
numbers of trail user “types” and changes in
electronics and social attitudes, there has been a
growing chatter about human friction on trails.
Knowing the lay of the land – the facts of the
situation – and how others recreate can lessen “trail
rage” and promote stewardship of our common
natural resource playgrounds. This session
explained how organizations and agencies are
educating, governments are making rules, and the
“established way” is yielding to new principles.
Art Tuftee
International Mountain Bicycle Association
It is important to remember common sense rules of
the trail such as: ride only on legal trails, leave no
trace, always yield the trail, and control your
vehicle.
Properly designed trails help with trail
etiquette. This includes good alignment and
no blind corners.
Mountain bicyclists have adopted motorcycle
hand signals. For example, with your hand,
hold up the number of fingers indicating the
number of riders behind you.
Our social media and smart phones have
opened the door to possible new conflicts.
Karen Behm
Central Cascades Winter Recreation Council
The many new uses and users setting out on
fewer trails is a big contributor to problems on
our trails.
If a trail has significant use, the first mile is
always the most chaotic.
On snow trails, remember that your use, your
tracks, can impact the enjoyment of the trail
for others.
Most people want separated/non-multiuse
trails, but when seeking a grant to extend or
repair a trail, combined use projects are usually
more likely to be funded.
February 4, 2013 24/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Dan Steinbeck
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington
A rule of thumb is, when you meet an equine
on the trail, you should get on the downhill
side. But, the downhill side may be too steep.
So, take the next step and talk to the horse, talk
to the rider, and take your time.
Ensure your biking or hiking party all gets to
the same side of the trail to let the horse pass.
Don’t call a mule a horse.
Don’t dwell on the bad situations, let them go.
If you have a dog, please hold onto it. One of
the last things a horse rider wants to see on a
trail is a loose dog.
A large backpack can be bad news for a horse.
Take the pack off, stay out in the open, and
talk to the rider and horse.
Tracy Howard, Traveling Trainer
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Tracey camps about 200 nights each year and has
developed six guiding principles which she related
to the audience. These include, reduce your
impact, treat campfires properly, and properly
dispose of human waste.
Her seventh principal is to be kind to others.
That’s good trail etiquette and it means to be aware
of yourself and others, to be considerate, and to
leave the trail better than you found it.
Remember, educational etiquette messages
should be short and easy to interpret and
follow
Whenever possible, communicate personally
with other users
New technologies raise more opportunity
for conflict
Conflicts are most common near trailheads
New trail uses commonly increase
maintenance and often a need for new single
use resource
We should be sharing our enthusiasm for trail
activities with others which can build
social capital
Avoid lose-lose situations and try not to
assume things
Reducing our impact reduces conflicts
Do what you can to improve the experience
of others
Try to reach users before they arrive at
trailheads by sending rules and other
information to their clubs and newsletters.
THE HOOD RIVER TRAIL SYSTEM:
PLANNING & MANAGING AN INHERITED
USER MADE TRAIL SYSTEM
Dan Miller, Community Planner
National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program
This presentation reviewed the challenges and
pitfalls of planning and managing a trail system
once it has been created by trail users. Topics that
were covered included inventorying a user made
trail system, collaborative decision making among
seemingly at-odds user groups, re-designing the
system for sustainability after it has been created,
and creating a trail system that works for local,
state and federal land managers.
The Hood River Trail System contains over 160
miles of non-motorized and 250 miles of
motorized trails that cross more than 50,000 acres
of land owned by Hood River County, Oregon
State Parks, and the Forest Service. The trails are
open to hikers, equestrians, trail runners, mountain
bikers, dirt bikers and ATVs. The trails were
developed by users without guidelines or
management from the landowners. Hood River
County, whose primary mission is to harvest
timber for county general funds, recently
underwent a comprehensive planning effort to
proactively manage the trails.
Early on, the user made trails that were inherited
by the land managers were not a big problem. As
use increased, however, they started to become a
problem. Eventually, a group of trail users
recognized the need and came together to propose
initiation of a planning effort on the state lands.
A planning committee was formed, composed of
the recreationists, related nonprofit organizations
and government departments, and others, such as
watershed councils. Together, they developed a
vision and scope for the project; in effect, they
helped to set a foundation for future decisions.
The full effort took two years and used consensus-
February 4, 2013 25/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
based decision making in which everyone agreed
to live with the plan.
Many of the user groups anticipated animosity to
emerge, but they were wrong. All of the groups
wanted everyone to have access on all trails, with a
few exceptions for short sections for specific uses
such as equestrian, motorized, downhill mountain
bike, etc.
A trail density system was approved, as was a
decision to close trails only for environmental
reasons. The next steps call for planning the
adjacent state parks and Forest Service lands.
Questions from the Audience
Q. Will adjacent state parks land be limited to
non-motorized trail use?
A: Yes. The Forest Service land is also designated
non-motorized.
Q: Is it true that the user made trails have not been
good for all users?
A: Yes. The master plan recognized a lack of
beginner and intermediate trails close to town.
Q: What percentage of existing trails was retained?
A: 90-95 percent.
WHAT’S IN A TRAIL: FROM DESIGN TO
CONSTRUCTION AND BEYOND
Moderator: Lisa Anderson,
Recreation Manager
Department of Natural Resources
Using examples from recent work in Department
of Natural Resources state forests, this panel
discussed the challenges and concerns of
constructing trails to updated design and
construction standards. From non-motorized trails
to those built by users, DNR staff has reviewed the
merits of designing for sustainability, integrating
construction drawings and standards into the
construction process and addressing builder
concerns.
In designing trails for the recently planned and
popular Reiter Forest, the agency and its advisory
groups first decided to separate motorized and non-
motorized activities. They next gathered site
information and established preliminary trail
routes. They worked to understand user
preferences, along the way adopting standards used
by the Forest Service, the American Motorcycle
Association and the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources.
To encourage slow speeds on the single track
motorcycle trails, they adopted a management
objective that called for tight twisting turns. They
then prepared development plans which include
sign placement and also studied trail tread
base material.
Trail construction is labor intensive and often
requires material placement with small equipment.
Funding for such projects is always challenging.
DNR’s recreation budget is from various sources:
the gasoline tax, Discovery Pass, Recreation and
Conservation Office grants, and capital funds from
the state legislature.
DNR’s primary niche is trail recreation, but it is
also involved in dispersed recreation, camping, and
geocaching. Just as any other landowner, the DNR
must comply with all land use rules, regulations,
and permits. Its focus is on sustainability and
being light on the land to minimize impacts while
making its trails durable.
Sue Jensen, ASLA, LEED
NW Region, Department of Natural Resources
In the DNR’s Northwest Region, the Reiter
Foothills is a popular single track motorcycle and
all-terrain vehicle riding area. The resources there,
however, were being damaged by heavy use and
limited management. In response, the DNR
instituted a planning process which, in part,
established separate areas for motorized and
nonmotorized use.
To do this, it instituted a process of suitability
mapping involving community meetings,
consideration of user preferences and design
standards.
Dana Leavitt, Landscape Architect
Department of Natural Resources
Trail evolution is driven by variety of factors,
including user preferences for diversity and
challenge elements and the capabilities of modern
recreational equipment such as mountain bikes.
Important to this equation is sustainability of the
trail and the natural landscape. Historically, trails
would follow landscapes, regardless of any impact
on the land. Today, however, we have identified
sensitive areas and seasons so they can be avoided.
February 4, 2013 26/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
The next steps in this ongoing process are to
continue to develop policies and standards specific
to mountain bikes while continuing to strengthen
partnerships with volunteer construction crews and
other stakeholders.
Jim Patton, Civil Engineer
Department of Natural Resources
Applying civil engineering principles to trail
construction is a constant challenge that can pay
long-term dividends in public investment. Factors
that come into play include:
The importance of a good trail foundation: It
relies on good base confinement and
compaction. For example, angular rock works
best. Grading is also important. The use of
“fines” should be limited to 5-10 percent of the
total base material. Geotextile fabric helps to
confine fines.
Well designed turns: Be sure to match the
reaction force of the user, such as a mountain
bike or motorcycle, with the banking in the
turn. Site distance is also important and at 10
miles/hour should be 20-25 feet in each
direction.
The use of cribbing on steep slopes is
important. The Forest Service standard log
cribbing works well in some areas. In Western
Washington, however, the acidic soils and high
moisture levels will quickly rot them. Though
they are heavy, rocks make great cribbing
material if they are available. Geotextile fabric
can also work well.
A good water crossing is expensive. Bridges
need to be durable and developers must
consider what goes over and under. Adhere to
the permitting requirements.
Questions from the Audience
Q: Is there a trade-off between increasing speeds
and increasing sight distance at a curve?
A: There is.
Q: Have you considered developing motorcycle
“observed trials” areas?
A: Yes. These low speed competitions in which
riders try to navigate an obstacle course without
touching the ground with any body part will be a
part of a future phase at Reiter.
Q: The approach at Reiter seems to be new and
expensive. What’s next?
A: The progress at Reiter is almost like an
experiment where we are testing new designs, etc.
and learning a lot. We are collecting feedback
from users about what they like and which
techniques are holding up well so we will know
what to do on next project. The Reiter Forest
comprised the first motorized trails built on DNR
lands in about 25 years. The regulators have been
concerned about how things will turn out, so it’s
important to take it slowly and do it right. We
want to invest up front, design well, and
establish credibility.
WASHINGTON DNR’S FOREST WATCH
PROGRAM
Jordan Reeves, Volunteer Coordinator
Department of Natural Resources
Forest Watch Program volunteers are responsible
for many things. They create a responsible
presence, observe and monitor trails and other
visitor sites, provide information to visitors and
document and report concerns. In this session
attendees were invited to participate in specialized
training that involved an introduction to DNR and
the Forest Watch Program, first aid and safety, the
principles of good stewardship and appropriate
use, and information customized to meet the needs
of local programs.
Nancy Barber
Department of Natural Resources
DNR is a large land managing state agency that
governs a variety of landscapes. It has, however,
few recreation staff, about 30 employees, to cover
its statewide holdings that include about 1,100 trail
miles. As a result, volunteers have become hugely
important to the agency.
Among the challenges facing DNR are an
increasing number of recreational visits and
changes in the types of equipment.
Jordan Reeves
Department of Natural Resources
In addition to maintenance and construction
activities, DNR’s Forest Watch Program is another
way for volunteers to help expand the agency’s
presence on land.
February 4, 2013 27/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
These “Forest Watchers” observe and report
pertinent information to the department’s
professional staff and assist visitors. The
department has built local flexibility into this
program, which is good because Washington is
very diverse.
There are two levels of participation for
volunteers:
Level 1 is for volunteers who know the rules and
regulations. They observe and report, but don’t
make public contacts.
Level 2 is for volunteers that are willing to perform
Level 1 duties, but also to give more time – to be
trained, undergo a background check, to wear an
identifying vest, and make public contacts. These
recruits help with educational outreach, though
they do not participate in enforcement.
The “observe and report” functions cover
inappropriate activities and natural resource
damage from storms, floods, fire, etc.
The agency recruits individuals and user groups,
such as members of the Backcountry Horsemen of
Washington. DNR has had the most success with
user groups, perhaps because it is the recreational
groups that more easily recognize that an
appreciated site could be closed if noncompliance
becomes an issue.
On the down side, management of volunteers is
time consuming. Ideally, the best volunteers have
a high commitment and are available in large
numbers. Agencies should be selective about
whom they recruit, and they must be willing to
discharge people who do not perform
satisfactorily.
A good volunteer must understand the bigger
picture. For example, they shouldn’t report every
little thing.
In the future, DNR is looking to expand the
program toward other user groups, especially
mountain bicyclists. It also wants to increase its
Level 2 volunteer force. This is a fairly new
program with lots of room for growth.
Questions from the Audience
Q: Is there a minimum volunteer commitment?
A: There is no minimum number of hours/month,
but the department does want a long term
commitment.
Q: What about liability?
A: Training is crucial; the department asks its
volunteers to sign a registration waiver.
Comment: Mt Rainier has a Meadow Rover
program and emphasizes the importance of
acknowledging and expressing appreciation of its
volunteers. It provides incentives and different
types of training from safety and first aid, to
recreational activities such as photography.
HOW DO TRAIL USERS
CROSS THE ROAD?
Ryan Abbotts, AICP
Parametrix, Inc.
One of the most common barriers that trails must
overcome is roads. Jurisdictions and experts have
differing opinions on where to locate crossings and
how they function. In this session, participants
were invited to explore case-studies of how various
locales analyze crossing locations and choose
appropriate safety enhancements.
[Notes for this session are not available.]
A SYSTEM RUNS THROUGH IT: STORIES
& LESSONS FROM THREE WATER
TRAILS IN OF THE COLUMBIA BASIN
Moderator: Susan Rosebrough, Planner
National Park Service
The rivers in the Columbia River Basin are the
lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest and have been
connecting people across the physical environment
for hundreds of years. This session focused on the
system of water trails under development along the
Columbia River and its tributaries. Key players
from successful paddle trail efforts along the
Lower Columbia, Pend Oreille and Lewis/Lake
Rivers discussed how their trails connect
communities to one another and connect people to
nature. They reviewed issues related to planning,
outreach, development and management.
Questions from the Audience
Q: How can we improve public safety and
usability with small staff?
A: Develop a good volunteer program and
leverage your existing resources to benefit the
public. Also, promote compatible uses
February 4, 2013 28/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Maintain good volunteer priorities, including:
putting safety first, avoiding provocations, being
responsible and proactive. That is, report and
attend to correctible problems quickly.
Jean Akers, RLA, AICP
Vancouver/Clark Parks & Recreation
The Vancouver/Clark Parks and Recreation
Department was awarded a National Park Service
grant to help with its Lewis River-Vancouver Lake
water trail plan. To generate interest, the
department organized a paddle event with
stakeholders to get people out on the water.
Its next challenge is to develop signs that will
show this water trail is part of other trails
and systems.
Mike Lithgow, Director
Pend Oreille County Community
Development Department
Historically, the Pend Oreille River has been used
for industry, primarily timber. Early on it was
decided that partnerships would be crucial to
developing a water trail here. As such, one of the
county’s first agreements was with the National
Park Service’s assistance program. It began with
an inventory of existing conditions.
The county used Carsonite posts along shoreline to
mark the water trail route and mileages. Signs
were also placed alongside roads.
Chris Hathaway
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership
The Lower Columbia River Water Trail project has
benefited from a large outreach program which
included meetings, open houses, and good local
support. Secretary of the Interior Salazar has
named it to the Great Outdoors Project List, as a
part of President Obama’s America’s Great
Outdoors Initiative. In part, the AGO describes the
country’s most promising projects designed to
protect special places and increase access to
outdoor spaces.
Ultimately, Clark County would like the project to
achieve national water trail status. So far, it has
secured grants for signs and developed a web site.
Question from the Audience
Q: Are there design standards for water trails?
A: The National Park Service established
guidelines, but acknowledges the need to consider
local conditions when setting up a water trail.
SATURDAY, 10/27/2012
WSTC BUSINESS MEETING 1)
Welcome
WSTC president Pete Beaupain opened the
meeting at 8:04 am and welcomed those present
and explained that everyone registered for the
conference is a valid member of the Washington
State Trails Coalition and is encouraged to
participate in the business meeting.
He reminded everyone of the "What did you get
out of this conference?" contest in which
participants were encouraged to submit their
responses on 3x5 cards and that the winners would
each receive a book donated by Mountaineers'
Publishing. Later in the conference it was
announced that the contest winners were: Jon
Knechtel, Ellen Agaard, Nikki Fields, Nancy
Barber, Luke Wakefield, and Reed Waite.
Nonprofit Status
After the last conference in Tacoma, the board
voted that it should pursue nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax
exempt status and registration with Washington
State. WSTC registration with the state as a
nonprofit corporation has been accomplished and
provides board protection from personal liability,
helps WSTC avoid state taxes, and was a
prerequisite to becoming a 501(c)(3).
Bylaws Amendments
The following proposals were offered for adoption
by the membership.
1. Incorporation as a 501(c)(3): The advantages
of becoming a tax exempt organization under
the federal tax code are that it allows WSTC to
avoid income taxes and allows other groups to
give us tax-deductible donations. The federal
requirements are that WSTC's by laws must
provide for this status.
2. Other amendments: Greg Lovelady proposed a
bylaw statement specifying that WSTC should
endeavor to elect a president that does not
represent a government agency to support the
conviction that we are a citizen-led
organization. Another change proposed, by
Rick Hood, would specify that elected officers
would take office on the first of day of the year
following the biennial conference to allow
time for the current officers to close out
February 4, 2013 29/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
conference business. Another proposal was to
change the name of the off-year meeting to
"off-year business and planning meeting." It
was also proposed to clarify that a member of
the conference host committee will serve as an
at large WSTC board member. Finally, it was
proposed to change the name of the
organization’s "Recorder" to "Communications
Director" to better reflect that position’s duties.
The above amendments were moved by Fran
Troje, seconded, and approved by a unanimous
voice vote of those in attendance.
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
After completing the nonprofit incorporation
process with Washington State, Pete discovered
that the IRS requires the Articles of Incorporation
of a 501(c)(3) organization to specifically state that
the organization will be a nonprofit. Putting this
statement in the bylaws is not good enough.
Washington State’s corporation rules require that
such an amendment be approved at a membership
meeting by two thirds of the attendees. Pete
proposed an appropriate amendment to the Articles
of Incorporation. His proposal was moved,
seconded and approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Next Conference Location
In a recent survey of those on the trails conference
mailing list regarding, "where should the next
conference be held" the overwhelming response
was to seek out a smaller town. This will be taken
into consideration by the conference planning
committee.
Thank You
On behalf of the organization, Pete Beaupain
offered a sincere thank you to The Mountaineers
Publishing for providing the books which were
presented to various individuals for providing high
service to the organization. Recipients included
Pete Beaupain, Sarah Krueger, Rick Hood, Don
Crook, Darrell Jennings, Michael Linde, John
Keates, Anita Will, Annik Wolfe, and the
Recreation and Conservation Office staff members.
Financial Report
WSTC comptroller Don Crook reported the
organization’s December 2010 ending balance was
$15,016. The December 2011 ending balance was
$14,819, the difference being due to $214 for the
off-year planning meeting. It was noted the
organization’s only sources of revenue are
donations and conference registrations.
It was further noted the cost of the 2012
conference would be about: $26,000 and that net
revenues were $24,000. This would leave a project
December 2012 ending balance of about $15,700
CLOSING KEYNOTE ADDRESS
DAVE HAHN: A GOOD YEAR FOR
THE MOUNTAINS
Introduction by Sarah Krueger
Washington State Trails Coalition
On May 26, 2012 mountain guide Dave Hahn
reached the summit of Mt. Everest for the 14th
time – the most ever for a non-Sherpa. Among his
other accomplishments are 27 summits of Vinson
Massif, Antarctica’s highest peak, more than 250
summits of Mt. Rainier, and 20 summits of Mount
McKinley / Denali in Alaska, North America’s
highest peak.
On May 6, 2009 he received a Citizen's Award for
Bravery from the U.S. Department of the Interior,
for rescuing an injured climber on Mt. Rainier in
2002. In 1999, Dave, who specializes in guiding
on high, glaciated mountains, was a key member of
the team that discovered the remains of celebrated
Alpinist George Mallory who died at 27,000 feet
on Mount Everest's North Face in 1924.
Dave Hahn
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Athlete
Dave Hahn’s has spent 27 years as a professional
mountain guide and ski patroller. His work and its
whims have taken him from Antarctica to Asia,
Alaska, the Cascades and the Rockies. His
presentation focused on a typical 12 month period
in his life. The waning weeks of the summer of
2011 found him off to Tenaya Canyon in Yosemite
National Park which he successfully traversed with
his 78 year old father. The trek, complete with
rappels down waterfalls and into icy pools, has
claimed more than its share of lives through
the years.
This outing was immediately followed by one of
his regular trips to Antarctica as a part of his
Rainier Mountaineering Inc. guide job to help
clients climb Vincent Massif, 16,050 feet, the
highest point in Antarctica. He next guided clients
to the South Pole before heading back to Taos and
February 4, 2013 30/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
his ski patrol duties in the Sangre de Cristo
mountains of New Mexico.
Next on Hahn’s annual agenda was Asia and
another trip up Mt. Everest. Being a ski patroller
in New Mexico is great training for Everest
expeditions. These days the walk-in to base camp
typically takes 10 days, though in the old days it
took a month. Because of the many people
attempting to conquer Everest, on summit day,
they have been leaving earlier and earlier and now
it's to the point that some leave at 8 pm.
Next, Dave was off to Denali National Park in
Alaska in his regular attempt to guide clients to the
summit of the highest point in North America. By
the time summer rolled around, Dave had returned
to his guide service duties at Mt. Rainier National
Park and the highest peak in Washington State, Mt.
Rainier, the summit of which he's reached more
than 270 times. After completing his seasonal
guide service duties at Mt. Rainier, he solo hiked
the 97 mile Wonderland Trail in three days, much
of which turned out to be in a rain storm.
Questions from the Audience
Q: What exercise tips do you have for a person
preparing for a big expedition?
A: Trekkers preparing for a big mountain or
similar expedition should make exercising in
adverse and uncomfortable outdoor conditions a
regular part of their routine.
Q: What do you recommend for people who lose
their appetite at high elevations?
A: Eating at high elevations and on long treks can
be a problem. To ensure a proper caloric intake,
trekkers should bring any food they really like,
whether it is Snickers Bars, M&Ms, or whatever.
2012 Conference Registrations (public email addresses included)
Last First Email Title Company Website
Aagaard Ellen ellaag@yahoo.com Member Central Cascades Winter
Recreation Council
Abbots Ryan RAbbotts@parametrix.c
om Senior Planner Parametrix www.parametrix.com
Abbott Sue Sue_Abbott@nps.gov Community Planner National Park Service/RTCA www.nps.gov/rtca
Abbruzzese Carlo Carlo.Abbruzzese@dnr.wa.gov
Natural Resource Specialist 3 WA St. Dept. of Natural Resources
Akers Jean jean.akers@cityofvanco
uver.us
Park Planning and Asset
Coordinator City of Vancouver http://cityofvancouver.us
Anderson Roger traildog@pacifier.com Grounds Maint. Clark County
Anderson Roger/Karen
traildog@pacifier.com Grounds Maint.
Anderson Julie julie@wwta.org Executive Director Washington Water Trails
Association www.wwta.org
Anderson Lisa lisa.anderson@dnr.wa.gov
WA St. Dept. of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Bailey Jenny jbailey@parametrix.co
m Senior planner Parametrix www.parametrix.com
Barbarasch Bruce bbarbarasch@thprd.org Superintendent of Natural Resources
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District
www.thprd.org
Barker Myra myra.barker@rco.wa.go
v Outdoor Grants Manager
Recreation & Conservation
Office www.rco.wa.gov
Barker Nancy nancy.barker@dnr.wa.gov
Elbe Public Use Manager WA Dept. of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Batura Darcy dbatura@ybfwrb.org Lead Entity Program
Coordinator
Yakima Basin Fish & Wildlife
Recovery Board http://ybfwrb.org/
Bauer Eric Eric.Bauer@dnr.wa.gov Natural Resource Tech. 2 WA St. Dept. of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Bay Ernest bugtrail@aol.com
Bean Mary mebean@fs.fed.us Recreation Program Manager Forest Service www.fs.fed.us
Beaupain Pete pbeaupain@comcast.net President Washington State Trails
Coalition http://w-s-t-c.org
Bedlan Neal neal_bedlan@nps.gov Outdoor Recreation Planner NPS Lewis and Clark NHT http://www.nps.gov/lecl
Behm Karen klbehm@comcast.net
February 4, 2013 31/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Last First Email Title Company Website
Bentley Judy jbentley@seattlecollege
s.edu Writer Self-employed http://www.judybentley.com
Berry III John
Ernest Board member
Washington State Trails
Coalition http://w-s-t-c.org
Bores Davilla Maria Maria.Bores@hillsboro-
oregon.gov Project Specialist Hillsboro Parks and Recreation
Bowden Bryan Bryan_Bowden@nps.gov
Community Planner National Park Service/RTCA www.nps.gov/rtca
Brown Jan espressobrown@gmail.
com PR & Communications Yachats Trails Committee
Brown Aaron aaronmbrown503@gmail.com
SCA/AmeriCorps Fellow National Park Service/Intertwine Alliance
http://theintertwine.org/
Brown Keith keithb@nwyouthcorps.
org Deputy Director Northwest Youth Corps
https://www.nwyouthcorps.org
/
Brown Gary gary_622_@msn.com Resource Coordinator King County Parks http://kingcountyparks
Bullock Kate kateandtracy@lnt.org Traveling Trainer Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethis
www.lnt.org
Carlson Ryan ryan@mayerreed.com
Mayer/Reed http://www.mayerreed.com
Catron Ric rcatron@co.kitsap.wa.u
s Parks Project Coordinator Kitsap County Parks http://kitsapgov.com/parks
Cermak Greg gc166475@gmail.com
Chang Joy joy_chang@co.washing
ton.or.us Assoicate Planner Washington Count, LUT
http://www.co.washington.or.u
s/
Chapman Kathy kmar712@comcast.net
WA State Dept. of Health
Chapman Scott scott.chapman@rco.wa.gov
PRISM Database Manager Recreation & Conservation Office
Chapman Gary info@c2ctrail.org President Corvallis-to-the-Sea (C2C)
Trail Partnership http://www.c2ctrail.org
Clements Don clemend@cprdnewberg.org
Superintendent Chehalem Park and Rec. District
Coburn Alan alan@greentrailsmaps.c
om President & CEO Green Trails Maps
Coburn Clinton alan@greentrailsmaps.com
Public Relations Specialist Green Trails Maps
Cogan Bob coganbob@gmail.com Retired
Cole Bryan bcole@mackaysposito.c
om Vice President, Design MacKay Sposito http://mackaysposito.com
Cole Adam adam.cole@rco.wa.gov Outdoor Grants Manager Recreation & Conservation Office
http://www.rco.wa.gov
Coyner Ashleigh ashleigh@bleuoiseauph
otography.com Board Member
Klickitat Trail Conservancy
(KTC) http://www.klickitat-trail.org/
Cronquist Nick Nick.Cronquist@dnr.wa.gov
Pacific Cascade Region Volunteer Coordinator
WA St. Dept. of Natural Resources
Crook Donald doncrook@msn.com Comptroller Washington State Trails
Coalition
Crowder Crystal crystal@pistonswild.com
President Piston's Wild Motorsports http://www.pistonswild.com
Crowell Scott scottc@ci.hillsboro.or.u
s Utility Worker II Hillsboro Parks & Recreation http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us
Daubert Karen karen@wta.org Executive Director Washington Trails Association wta.org
Davenport Birdie Roberta.Davenport@dn
r.wa.gov Natural Resource Specialist 3
WA St. Dept. of Natural
Resources http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Day Sandra sandra.day@ci.ridgefiel
d.waus Council member City of Ridgefield
Deely Kat kdeely@thesca.org NW Program Coordinator Student Conservation
Association http://thesca.org
Dooley Krista krista@wta.org Youth Program Manager Washington Trails Association wta.org
Drath Eileen ehdrath@rockisland.com
Fearn Mickey Mickey_Fearn@nps.go
v Deputy Director National Park Service
Fields Nikki nikki.fields@parks.wa.g
ov
Trails Coordinator - Design &
Land Use Planner
Washington State Parks and
Recreation Commission http://www.parks.wa.gov/
Fry Kathy kathy@mayerreed.com Environmental Graphic
Designer Mayer/Reed http://www.mayerreed.com
Gage Sarah sarah.gage@rco.wa.gov Salmon Recovery Metrics
Project Manager
Recreation & Conservation
Office
Gatchel Dixie gatcheldb@q.com Chair AT & Grants Committees Foothills Rails-to-Trails
Coalition http://piercecountyparks.org
February 4, 2013 32/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Last First Email Title Company Website
Glover Glenn glenn@evergreenmtb.or
g Executive Director
Evergreen Mountain Bike
Alliance
Goorjian Lisa lisa.goorjian@hillsboro-
oregon.gov Development Manager
Hillsboro Parks and Recreation
Dept
Grant Sharon sharon@friendsofbadge
r.org Friends of Badger Mountain
Grant Buzz
none
Guzzo Jonathan jonathan@wta.org Advocacy Director Washington Trails Association wta.org
Hanson Debbi debbi.hanson@cityofbg.
org Parks & Recreation Director City of Battle Ground http://cityofbg.org
Haught Lunell Lunellh@aol.com President Inland Northwest Trails
Coalition
Haws Dan dan.haws@rco.wa.gov Outdoor Grants Manager Recreation & Conservation
Office
Hedt Dave dhedt@spokanecounty.
org Trade Supervisor
Spokane County Parks,
Recreation & Golf Department
Heiden Ron ron@mayerreed.com Landscape Architect Mayer/Reed http://www.mayerreed.com
Henderson Nancy nehenders@comcast.net
Hinderman Scott shinderm@thprd.org Park Ranger Tualatin Hills Park & Rec
District www.thprd.org
Hoch Donald don.hoch@parks.wa.gov
Director WA State Parks & Recreation Comm
www.parks.wa.gov
Hood Rick rick@hoodcs.com Board Member Washington State Trails
Coalition
Horton Jack jack_horton@hotmail.com
President Woodland Trail Greenway Assn
http://woodlandtrail.org
Howard Tracy kateandtracy@lnt.org Traveling Trainer Leave No Trace Center for
Outdoor Ethics www.lnt.org
Hurd Alice alice_hurd@hotmail.com
Jackson Ted tedsbiz@gmail.com Community Volunteer Sky Valley Chamber http://ci.sultan.wa.us
Jacobs Karl debbi.hanson@cityofbg.
org
Outdoor Grants Manager Recreation & Conservation
Office
James Chad chad.james@dnr.wa.gov
Recreation Forester WA State DNR
Jennings Darrell darrell.jennings@rco.w
a.gov Outdoor Grants Manager
Recreation & Conservation
Office
Jensen Susan susan.jensen@dnr.wa.gov
Jimenez Jacobo jacobo.jimenez@seattle.
gov
Installation Maintenance
Worker
City of Seattle Parks
Department http://seattle.gov
Johnson Pat pat.johnson@tx3.net Mayor City of Buckley
Kanooth Jeremy jeremy.kanooth@cityof
vancouver.us Resource Program Coordinator City of Vancouver
Kastama Diane Kastamaq@gmail.com
Kastama Bob Kastamaq@gmail.com
Keates John johnk@co.mason.wa.us Parks and Facilities Director Mason County
Kimmick Jessica Jessica.Kimmick@dnr.
wa.gov Recreation Manager
WA St. Dept. of Natural
Resources
King Randy Randy_King@nps.gov Superintendent Mount Rainier National Park www.nps.gov/mora
Kittel Joanne jnkittel@peak.org Leader Trail Development Comm. & Amanda Trl.
Yachats Trails Committee
Klump Ted ctaoffice@mail.com Office Manager Chinook Trail Association chinooktrails.org
Knechtel Jon jknechtel@pnt.org Director of Trails Pacific Northwest Trail
Association http://www.pnt.org
Kravit-Smith Kathy kkravit@co.pierce.wa.us
Director Pierce County Parks http://piercecountywa.org/parks
Krueger Sarah sarah.krueger@gmail.co
m President - Elect
Washington State Trails
Coalition
Lantz Patricia patlantz@harbornet.com
Commissioner WA State Parks & Recreation Comm
www.wa.parks.gov
Laxague Anna Anna.laxague@imba.co
m
Pacific Northwest Region
Director
International Mountain
Bicycling Association http://www.IMBA.com
Leavett Dana dana.leavett@dnr.wa.gov
Ledford Heather ledford@cowlitzedc.co
m
HEAL Coordination -
AmeriCorps
Pathways 2020 / Cowlitz On
The Move http://pathways2020.org
February 4, 2013 33/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Last First Email Title Company Website
Linde Michael Michael_Linde@nps.go
v Leader, Partnership Programs National Park Service www.nps.gov/rtca
Linroth Emily emily_linroth@nps.gov Communcations Specialist National Park Service www.nps.gov/rtca
Lithgow Michael mlithgow@pendoreille.org
Community Development Director
Pend Oreille County http://pendoreilleco.org
Llewellyn Karen karen.llewellyn@clark.
wa.gov Volunteer Program Coordinator Clark County Public Works http://www.parkhero.org
Lofflin Diana diana.lofflin@dnr.wa.gov
Recreation Program Communications Mgr.
Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR)
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Long Mitchell publicworks@inlandnet
.com Project Specialist City of Roslyn http://www.ci.roslyn.wa.us
Lovelady Greg GregL12@comcast.net Board Member Washington State Trails Coalition
http://w-s-t-c.org
Macek Ian maceki@wsdot.wa.gov State Bicycle & Pedestrian
Coordinator WSDOT
Mauren Mark mark.mauren@dnr.wa.gov
Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR)
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Mayer Peter pnwparks@hotmail.co
m
Deputy Director/Chief
Operating Officer Snohomish Health District http://snohd.org
McCluskey Mary mmccluskey@cityofpoulsbo.com
Parks and Recreation Director City of Poulsbo
McDonald Mary Mary.McDonald@dnr.
wa.gov
State Lands-Asset Assistant
Region Mgr. Poulsbo Parks and Recreation
McGrath Matt mtmcgrath@fs.fed.us
PNW National Sceninc Trails Coordinator
US Forest Service
McLaughlin Wayne wayne.mclaughlin@par
ks.wa.gov Program Specialist
www.wa.parks.gov
McMaster Jim jmcmaster@cprdnewberg.org
Park Supervisor
Michel Mack
Key Peninsula Parks www.keypenparks.org
Miller Daniel Dan_Miller@nps.gov Community Planner National Park Service www.nps.gov/rtca
Moore Jane janemoore.jm@gmail.c
om Executive Director Forever Green Council
http://www.forevergreencounci
l.org
Moxham Laura laura.moxham@rco.wa.
gov
Recreation & Conservation
Office www.rco.wa.gov
Murray Ted tmurray@co.okanogan.
wa.us Recreation Coordinator Okanogan County
Murray L elemmurray@clear.net
Myrick Charles R. BobMyrick@msn.com
Ojerio Ryan ryan@wta.og SW Regional Coordinator Washington Trails Association wta.org
Parker Jeff jeffp@nwyouthcorps.or
g Executive Director Northwest Youth Corps
http://www.northwestyouthcor
ps.org
Patton Jim james.patton@dnr.wa.g
ov
Washington State Dept. of
Natural Resources (DNR) http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Paull Gary gpaull@fs.fed.us Trails and Wilderness
Coordinator
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
National Forest
Peterson Bryan bryanpeterson75@hotm
ail.com Board Member
Washington Off Highway
Vehicle Alliance (WOHVA) http://www.wohva.org/
Peterson Kirk kpeterso@shorelinewa.
gov Park Superintendent City of Shoreline
Preble Chuck chuckpreble@msn.com Vice President Peninsula Trails Coalition http://OlympicDiscoveryTrail.
com
Punteney Kelly KellyPunteney@comca
st.net
Putman Jim WaExec@pnw4wda.org Washington State Director PNW4WDA http://pnw4wda.org
Raad Maureen mraad@vigil-
agrimis.com Project Manager Vigil-Agrimis, Inc. http://www.vigil-agrimis.com/
Ramsay Heather Heather_Ramsay@nps.gov
Program Officer National Park Service/LWCF http://www.nps.gov/lwcf
Rapp James jrapp@parametrix.com Senior Planner Parametrix http://www.parametrix.com
Rasmussen Andrew andrew_rasmussen@np
s.gov Facility Manager National Park Service
Rasmussen Randy quietrecreation@gmail.com
Advisor for Wilderness & Recreation
Back Country Horsemen of America
http://www.backcountryhorse.com
Raymaker Lori Lraymaker@co.kitsap.
wa.us Park Stewardship Coordinator
Kitsap County Parks and
Recreation
Reeves Jordan jordan.reeves@dnr.wa.gov
South Puget Sound Region Volunteer Coordinator
WA Dept. of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
February 4, 2013 34/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Last First Email Title Company Website
Reid Gayle reidg@co.cowlitz.wa.us Sr. Office Asst. Cowlitz County Health
Department
http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/h
ealth
Riggs Michael mariggs1420@yahoo.co
m Co-Chair
Tails Planning Team-Moses
Lake
http://www.cityofml.com/calen
dar.aspx
Romano Lisa lmromano@fs.fed.us Ranger Mt. St. Helens Nat'l Volcanic
Monument USFS
Rose Robin rgrose@fs.fed.us Recreation Program Manager Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Rosebrough Susan Susan_Rosebrough@np
s.gov Community Planner National Park Service/RTCA www.nps.gov/rtca
Salisbury Chukundi chukundi.salisbury@seattle.gov
Plng & Dev Spec I City of Seattle Parks Department
http://seattle.gov
Schmitt Rodger reschmitt@yahoo.com Commission Vice Chair WA State Parks & Recreation
Comm
Schroder Jennifer jschroder@kirklandwa.gov
Parks & Community Services Director
City of Kirkland http://kirklandwa.gov
Schroeder Kelly Ann
Secor Don dsecor@spokanecounty.
org Parks Superintendent
Spokane County Parks,
Recreation & Golf Department
Selby John JohnSelby16@gmail.com
Foothills Trail Coalition http://www.piercecountytrails.org/
Severson William bill.fairhope@gmail.co
m Chair
San Juan Island Trails
Committee
Sherrill Peter petersherrill@gmail.com
Board Secretary Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance
Simendinger Theresa cowgirltns@rockisland.
com
Sladek Henry hsladek@msn.com Owner/Manager Cascadia Inn Skykomish http://www.historiccascadia.com
Smith Larry larry.smith@cityofvanc
ouver.us Councilmember City of Vancouver
Snider Clayton csnider@cob.org Specialist/Natural Resources Bellingham Parks & Recreation Department
http://cob.org
Snyder Terry terry.snyder@cityofvan
couver.us Landscape Architect City of Vancouver http://cityofvancouver.us
Stamp Neil neil.stamp@frontier.com
Board Member WOHVA
Starlund Steven sstarlund@pnt.org Executive Director Pacific Northwest Trail
Association http://www.pnt.org
Steriti Sharon sharonsteriti@fs.fed.us Trail Crew Forman USFS
Stone Alexandra Alex_Stone@nps.gov Community Planner National Park Service/RTCA www.nps.gov/rtca
Strattan Shaelyn sstrattan@thewordwork
er.biz Owner/Senior Writer The Wordworker http://www.thewordworker.biz
Svendsgaard Laura lsven@peak.org Chair Yachats Trails Committee
Taller Joe joe.taller@parks.wa.gov Commission Chair WA State Parks & Recreation Comm
Thirtyacre Sarah sarah.thirtyacre@rco.wa
.gov Outdoor Grants Manager
Recreation & Conservation
Office
Thomas Kirk kirk.thomas@dnr.wa.gov
WA Dept. of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.wa.gov
Thomsen Sally play@islandrec.org Recreation Director San Juan Island Park and
Recreation http://www.islandrec.org
Tkach Renee renee@gorgefriends.org Project Manager Friends of the Columbia Gorge gorgefriends.org
Tollefson Kate kate.tollefson@gmail.com
Independent Consultant
Troje Fran frantroje@gmail.com Board Member Pacific Northwest Trails
Assoc. (PNTA)
Tubberville Monica monica.tubberville@cityofvancouver.us
Parks Planner City of Vancouver
Tuftee Arthur arttuftee@gmail.com
http://toolsofthetrail.com
Van Beek Tim tim@wta.org Project Coordinator Washington Trails Association wta.org
VanderBilt Monty monty.vanderbilt@gmai
l.com Hiker
http://midforkrocks.com
Vogt Cecilia ceciliaevelyn@charter.n
et
Waite Reed reed@w8s.org
Citizen Paddler Hiker Skier
Wakefield Luke trailwork@mshinstitute.org
Conservation Corps Coordinator Mount St. Helens Institute http://www.mshinstitute.org
February 4, 2013 35/35 2012 Trails Conference Highlights
Last First Email Title Company Website
Wang Muning b90605211@gmail.com PhD Candidate
School of Environmental and
Forest Science, University of Washington
http://www.sefs.washington.ed
u/
Ward Laurie laurie@wnpf.org Executive Director Washington's National Park
Fund http://www.wnpf.org
Wells Ryan allen_wrench1000@hotmail.com
WA Land Matters Chair Pacific Northwest 4 Wheel Drive Association
http://www.pnw4wda.org
Weston Ryan ryan.weston@abam.co
m Landscape Architect Berger ABAM www.abam.com
Whaley Lucinda lwhaey@winstoncashatt.com
Commissioner/ Secretary WA State Parks and Recreation Comm
Whittaker Bob
Whittaker headcase@attglobal.net Tour Manager New Look LLC
Wigle Luke lwig461@ecy.wa.gov WCC Crew Supervisor Washington State Department of Ecology
Willott Don
North Kitsap Trails
Association www.northkitsaptrails.org
Wittenberg Nancy nwittenberg@q.com Volunteer Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition
ecy.wa.gov/wcc
Wolfe Annik annikw@gmail.com
http://www.piececountytrails.o
rg
Wolff Phil Philip.Wolff@dnr.wa.gov
Natural Resource Specialist 2 WA St. Dept. of Natural Resources
Woods Bob bwoods@pcta.org Regional Rep Pacific Crest Trail Association www.pcta.org
Woolery Ken klwool@comcast.net Board Member Foothills Rails-To-Trails
Coalition http://www.pcta.org
Zeretzke David davez907@yahoo.com retired San Juan Island Park & Rec Dist
Ziolkowski Jim jim_ziolkowski@nps.go
v Mount Rainier National Park http://www.islandrec.org