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Chapter 03 � Public Input + Participation
<br />Community Events and Stakeholder Input
<br />Over 100 participants provided inputto the
<br />Great Northern Trail Master Plan atthree public
<br />open houses.
<br />Open House 1- 1 10 Responses (50 attendees,
<br />110 responses online). Gathered input on initial
<br />trail route alternatives
<br />Open House 2- 73 Responses (40 attendees,
<br />22 responses in person, 51 online). Gathered
<br />input on refined trail route alternatives, trail use
<br />preferences, and amenities.
<br />Open House 3- 75 responses (17 attendees,
<br />12 responses in person, 63 online). We used the
<br />input gathered from the second open house to
<br />generate trail development prototypes and con-
<br />ceptual trailhead designs.
<br />Outreach Efforts
<br />The project team worked with the partnership
<br />committee to determine appropriate forums,
<br />methods and/or events to facilitate engagement
<br />with typically underrepresented community
<br />members, including BIPOC, senior, and youth
<br />communities. Listening session took place at
<br />Princeton High School, Zimmerman Track Team,
<br />and Milaca High School to engage the teenage/
<br />youth community. A walk and talk session was
<br />advertised and conducted nearthe Elk River
<br />multi-family and senior housing communities. A
<br />workshop was also conducted with indigenous
<br />families to gathertheir input on the trail.
<br />Stakeholder Interviews
<br />Image boards were used to engage and
<br />familiarize people with the project and start
<br />conversations about what they envision for the
<br />future of the trail (see FIGURE XX). Using color
<br />coded stickers, participants selected their
<br />highest priorities for future trail development
<br />amenities. A portion of the exhibit was
<br />dedicated for additional written comments,
<br />suggestions, and concerns.
<br />The voting board events complemented the
<br />online survey and were essential for reaching
<br />alternative audiences.
<br />In addition, key informant interviews were
<br />conducted to gain a better understanding
<br />of potentially unmet needs, concerns, and
<br />aspirations related to the study area. These
<br />interviews included meetings with Snowmobile
<br />and ATV groups, including the Rum River
<br />Sno Riders based in Milaca, Mystic Riders out
<br />of Princeton, Elk Lake Easy Riders, and the
<br />Wrecking Crew ATV club.
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<br />FIGURE 4: IMAGE BOARDS AT PUBLIC OPEN
<br />HOUSE
<br />rStakeholder Sample �
<br />Milaca Trails Initiative
<br />Snowmobile Clubs -
<br />I UTV Club
<br />� Princeton Chamber of Commerce
<br />� Student Athletes - Princeton Highschool, I
<br />I Zimmerman Track Team, Milaca Highschool I
<br />I Elk River Seniors I
<br />I Indigenous Families I
<br />I Townships
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<br />�Cities — — — — — — — J33
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