Developing a comprehensive system of foot paths, bikeways, trails and greenway corridors can pave the way toward dramatically improving Evansville’s quality of life, says Roberta Heiman, founding chairman for the Evansville-area Trails Coalition Inc. (ETC.).
The new organization is taking its mission public Thursday.
She will discuss ETC. and its goals in a public meeting with Ron Carter, executive director for the Indiana Greenways Foundation, at 3 p.m. at Evansville Central Library. The organization’s plans will be outlined at 4:30 p.m. in a separate news conference at The Pagoda.
Heiman, president of the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Advisory Board, is a retired Courier & Press reporter who for decades wrote about still-incomplete efforts to build a system of connecting trails along Pigeon Creek and around the city.
After comparing Evansville’s efforts to those in other cities that have more miles to show after fewer years of work, she began talking with others about creating a grass-roots advocacy group to help government agencies plan, develop and find funding for a comprehensive network of multiuse trails for commuting, recreation, fitness and the overall health of the community.
She has met with representatives from organizations including the Welborn Baptist Foundation, the YMCA, The Evansville Runners & Walkers Club, and the Miles Ahead bicycle coalition, as well as city and county officials, to help develop the coalition, which recently filed for incorporation.
She appreciates ongoing government efforts on the greenway, bike lanes and other projects, “but it needs a citizens’ initiative,” said Heiman. “We need to bring local groups to the table.”
Community support has been critical to developing walker friendly, bike friendly communities across the country, said Carter.
A good trail system can boost a community's economy along with its quality of life, says Carter. Property values typically increase along well-used trails, and they invite investment, Carter said. The 17-mile Monon trail through Indianapolis and neighboring communities, draws 1.3 million people a year, he said. That is more than all the city’s parks and golf courses combined.
Investors have put a half-billion dollars into business and residential developments along two miles of the Monon, he said. “It’s the spine of that development.”
It’s not just big cities that can afford trail systems, says Heiman. Fort Wayne, Ind., a city of 250,000 people, has more than 36 miles of trails built, six more under construction and plans for another 68 miles of trails. That pales in comparison to Eugene, Ore., a city of 138,000 people with 250 miles of greenways and hiking and biking trails.
If they can do it, Evansville can too, Heiman said. “I’d be terribly ashamed of us if we don’t.”
Anyone who can’t attend Thursday’s events but wants more information about ETC. may send an e-mail to Heiman at roberta43@sbcglobal.net or call her at (812) 424-0566.
The new organization is taking its mission public Thursday.
She will discuss ETC. and its goals in a public meeting with Ron Carter, executive director for the Indiana Greenways Foundation, at 3 p.m. at Evansville Central Library. The organization’s plans will be outlined at 4:30 p.m. in a separate news conference at The Pagoda.
Heiman, president of the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Advisory Board, is a retired Courier & Press reporter who for decades wrote about still-incomplete efforts to build a system of connecting trails along Pigeon Creek and around the city.
After comparing Evansville’s efforts to those in other cities that have more miles to show after fewer years of work, she began talking with others about creating a grass-roots advocacy group to help government agencies plan, develop and find funding for a comprehensive network of multiuse trails for commuting, recreation, fitness and the overall health of the community.
She has met with representatives from organizations including the Welborn Baptist Foundation, the YMCA, The Evansville Runners & Walkers Club, and the Miles Ahead bicycle coalition, as well as city and county officials, to help develop the coalition, which recently filed for incorporation.
She appreciates ongoing government efforts on the greenway, bike lanes and other projects, “but it needs a citizens’ initiative,” said Heiman. “We need to bring local groups to the table.”
Community support has been critical to developing walker friendly, bike friendly communities across the country, said Carter.
A good trail system can boost a community's economy along with its quality of life, says Carter. Property values typically increase along well-used trails, and they invite investment, Carter said. The 17-mile Monon trail through Indianapolis and neighboring communities, draws 1.3 million people a year, he said. That is more than all the city’s parks and golf courses combined.
Investors have put a half-billion dollars into business and residential developments along two miles of the Monon, he said. “It’s the spine of that development.”
It’s not just big cities that can afford trail systems, says Heiman. Fort Wayne, Ind., a city of 250,000 people, has more than 36 miles of trails built, six more under construction and plans for another 68 miles of trails. That pales in comparison to Eugene, Ore., a city of 138,000 people with 250 miles of greenways and hiking and biking trails.
If they can do it, Evansville can too, Heiman said. “I’d be terribly ashamed of us if we don’t.”
Anyone who can’t attend Thursday’s events but wants more information about ETC. may send an e-mail to Heiman at roberta43@sbcglobal.net or call her at (812) 424-0566.
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