I'm so excited - I wanted to share

“I'm so excited about this that I had to share the news with TT.

I have been appointed to the Advisory Board for Parks and Recreation with the City of Avondale. This is a volunteer, no pay, position, but I wanted to be part of the planning.

We will be gathering public input and make recommendations, hold public meetings and listen to what our residents want. Help design a master parks plan for the city and lay the foundation for future parks and recreation amenities. Also developing a procedure for naming the city parks and recommending upgrades and renovations to existing parks.

Now doesn't that sound like fun. Of course I'm going to suggest trails all over the city. People trails, horse trails, bike trails. As many trails as possible.

My personal goal: INTERNATIONAL recognition as "Avondale - the city of Trails"
LOL”

“Congrats AZ! I'm glad to hear your excitement. Just don't let it overwhelm you. These "volunteer" jobs can easily get out of control if you let them.”

“Have fun with it AZhiker. While I lived in Austin, TX, I had the unique opportunity to plan and build two parks. It's quite an experience and you will learn more than you probably ever wanted to know.”

“Where in AZ is Avondale? The company I work has an office in Phoenix and has experience in materplanning parks. Earlier this year we designed Phase 1 of the Boulder City park; a three acre trout pond and soccer fields. Future phases to include pinic areas, playgrounds, and a boy/girl scout camp.
Try to have fun with your new position and try not to get bogged down by all the politics and public works people.”

“Way to go AZhiker! You'll know you are making progress when you start getting angry phone calls from some constituents, LOL.

Here in Rhinelander we have started a Pathways Project to plan safe bike and walk routes in the city that will eventually connect to outlying areas, including out to the state Bearskin "Rails-to-Trails" Trail. We entered the 4th of July Parade as a unit and got about 50 cyclists (including roadies, mtn, bmx, tandems, and recumbents) and rollerbladers, and one scooter, to ride. We got a prime parade spot up front because the mayor supports the project and rode her bike with us.

Glad to see another city that is making strides. Hope you have great success and keep us posted about your efforts.”

“Nice job AZhiker.... it is nice to see someone that actually uses parks to be part of the planning process. Good luck with your goal, and working with the politicians, you are going to need it!”

“Sounds neat, good for you.”

“What does Avondale have in the way of open space?”

“I wish you good luck and lots of extra energy!”

“Hey AZ that is great!!!! check out what the city of Damascus Va did with there little town. It is now known all over the East Coast for trails. They really do a fantastic job every year.”

“Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I know politics can be nasty, keep your fingers crossed that this will be a fun experience for all of us.

Reptiles - Avondale is west of phoenix on I-10.

Pekka - what state are you in? Your trail program sounds interesting and I would like to contact your Chamber of Commerce for more info.

MaryPhly - Our town is small, but our city limits are huge. We have many, many possiblities at this stage of planning to really create some usable areas. The city planners have sectioned off huge areas designated for recreation. As more and more "planned communties" develope here people are asking for parks, playgrounds, and rec sites. The city planners have given the parks and rec's a high priorty.”

“AZhiker,

I'm in northern Wisconsin. The Pathways Project is a city effort that has been together for a year and has obtained a $25,000 planning grant from the state DOT. The goal is to connect downtown to the city parks, the burgeoning commercial development on the east side, schools, outlying resort areas, the college I teach at about 1.5 miles outside town, and the state rec trails. The committee includes the chamber director, the city bicycle patrol officer, the city rec director, and several private citizens who are trail advocates (including a fellow who has biked pretty much around the world -- he's circumnavigating Iceland at the moment). The mayor appointed them after getting city council approval.

The grant money is being released this month, with the committee aiming for a finished plan in a year, as well as applying for actual construction money from the DOT. Learn the term multi-model (multi-use). The more interests it serves, at least in WI, the better chance it has of being approved.”

“Good for you AZ.

Trail town. Awesome idea. Get the community health people behind it for added support and momentum.”

“Wow, someone who loves the outdoors and cares about the community they live in actually helping plain how people will use the outdoors around them....

This is a concept who's time has come, imagine if we applied this to everything........












Naaaaaaaaaa, never catch on....it makes sense.

Congratulations and good luck”

“Good for you,....I hope it all works out for you and you stay excited about it.”

“Way cool! What a great opportunity to put your hobby and skills to good use. Congratulations!”

“COOL! I hope you enjoy it. Best of luck.”

“Always nice to see people giving back to what they love.
Best of luck.”

“Super. If you keep a good attitude and learn the ropes, you can find it very rewarding. Be patient.”

“Thanks everybody,
I know if I get frustrated I can always come to TT to vent or ask advise. It's always nice and helpful to have many, many experts available.”