FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Trails Initiative (FTI) partners released a draft Flagstaff Regional Trail Strategy after two years of sustained collaboration and public input. Partners and volunteers have created a set of recommendations for the region’s trail system that aims to elevate Flagstaff trails from good to extraordinary. The public is invited to review the report throughout December and January.
Highlights of the strategy include a prioritized list of trail projects and connections, proposals for enhancing financial sustainability through a new nonprofit organization and Flagstaff Trail Fund as well as ideas for new education programs such as a “Share the Trails” etiquette campaign. The regional strategy also contains best practices for natural and cultural resource protection in the face of growing visitation to local natural areas.
FTI partners invite the community to shape the final strategy by sharing feedback online at http://flagstafftrailsinitiative.org/ or attending a community open house that will provide citizens the opportunity to review and comment on the plan. Your help is needed to ensure the strategy captures the community’s needs and desires and upholds the FTI mission to: …develop and implement a collaborative, cross-jurisdictional strategy for recreational trails in the Flagstaff region. This effort seeks to improve the quality, connectivity and community support for a sustainable trail system that balances the demand for recreation with the community’s vision for conservation, development, and health.
The Community Open House takes place at:
- Flagstaff High School – Commons, 400 W Elm Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- Date: Jan. 15, 2020
- Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Parking is available and the location is accessible via the FUTS and Mountain Line (bus Route 2, Blue Schedule, stop 27 Beaver St/Hunt Ave).
The open house will begin with a short announcement from partners regarding the background and goals of the Initiative as well as a summary of previous public input. These announcements will be followed by the opportunity to review the draft Flagstaff Regional Trail Strategy. The Strategy will also be discussed during a Flagstaff City Council meeting on Dec. 3. Those unable to attend can provide feedback online at: http://flagstafftrailsinitiative.org/
Organizations who have partnered together under the FTI banner include the City of Flagstaff, Coconino National Forest, Coconino County Parks and Recreation, Flagstaff Biking Organization, Coconino Trail Riders, R2R Hiking Club, American Conservation Experience, National Park Service Flagstaff Area Monuments, Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy. The project was launched in fall 2017 after securing a technical assistance award from the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program.
The strategy responds to input received during a robust public engagement effort that engaged hundreds of local trails users and dozens of organizations through workshops, surveys and field work. Key trends and challenges were analyzed that include a growing demand for different types of trail use and a proliferation of unauthorized trails outside of official systems. Limited funding for maintenance was also identified as an important challenge, despite the importance of trails to the region’s tourism economy.
A digital version of the draft Flagstaff Regional Trail Strategy, an executive summary, and the ability to provide feedback on any part of the document can be found on the Flagstaff Trail Initiative’s website at http://flagstafftrailsinitiative.org/.