PRSR HANDOUT 09-08-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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What Opportunities Can Emerge from a successful Mississippi River Trail? • Visitors and residents alike will be ghren a great opportunity for adventure as they explore on bicycle Amerka's cultural and natural heritage abrg its great River. • iron businesses, the trail represents an opportunity to commercialy profk from a new set of travelers coming through their community. Although the economic impact h hard to predict, one thing is for sure, more business will materialize as a result of the Mississippi River Trail. • The bkycle route has a public health benefit. At its core, the MRT encourages healthy and Ilfe- extendirg outdoor activity. • Tile trail represents an opportunity for krcels to remember the Important Mississippi River people, places and stories that have made their communties what they are and to document [hem for their own family and friends in InterpreWe displays and markers, and to celebrate them within community festhrels. The trail can bring a community together and even reconnect lt with neighboring communities that share a common heritage. • By encouraging bkycle use on rural and urban comdors that may be perceived as the sole domain of cers and [nicks long-distance travelers and kcal residents are challenged to expand their view of the utility of highways. Where Does MnDOT Fit In? Altlaugh the Minnesota Departrnent of Transportation h convening this sedes of meetings, MnDOT does rat "own" the Vail. MnDOT is serving as champbn at this stage in the trail's devebpment to bring people together and Ignite the fire of self- interest on the part of local governments, businesses and residents. Only 25% of the trail is kxated on State and US Highways. Like the links in a chain, the trail's appeal and success Is tied to the enthusiasm and commitment of the authodties that administer the remaining 75% of the Mississippi River Trail. Moving forward MnDOT sees itself as a partner wlth a tit to gain - or bse - if the vision of vibrant Mississippi River Troll is realized, or knt. If the Mississippi Trail is to be used and appreciated at its potential it will be necessary for MnDOT to step track to invite the trail's kxal owners to take on a more significant rok: in managing and Improving the treil. What Is This Project About? Working for the rest of 2010 with our consultant, Bonestroo, based in St. Paul, through a series of meetings and follow-up bicycle rides, the Intent is to: • Review the existing Mississippi River Trail route wthin Minnesota, • Realize a comprehensive set of kcal resolutions in support of the Mississippi River Trail, • Update the entire route through Minnesota through consultatbn with kxal offkials and others, • Post new user-friendly maps on a MnDOT GIS-interactive website, • Develop a signing plan to assure riders that they are still on the trail when bicycling on segments of the Minnesota Trunk Highway System, and • Develop a marketing framework for the trail out Into the future. Contact informatbn MIS5Wpp1 RNer Trot IMRT) BRYCIe Rase websge: hNa://www.da[sbte.mn.uslbkdmrt.html CA7rroN Arm araA06k arena Dan CaWro Mhebalpgl River Tnil Project Manager MYVwSda Deparanaa d Transporta[bn Olike d TrMnR, Bkyck and Pedestran Sectbn, MS 315 3% ldxi tmJartl Boulevard St Paul, MN 55155.1899 651-3669179 Lis WaMOx MiMiMipPl River Trap Profit Stan MInle9de DepxbnerR d Transpamtlon Ollloe d TraiKt, BkyAe aria Pedestrian Sectbn, MS 3l5 395 ]dm Ireland BwkvaN SL Paul, MN 55155-1899 651-3664186 Clara Sddkhtlnp, ArW, Proied Manager/Planner Bdllab00 2335 Highway 36W SL Pau4 MN 55113 651-%7-1557 XonpTl Duary GIS Tadarkien Bones4oo 651-%71596 lodl Winkelman, Marketing Bonestroo 651fig9-1799