Transportation Recreation Alternatives In Louisiana

1. Transportation Recreation Alternatives In Louisiana

2. What is TRAIL – Mission & Vision • What is the Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization • Time Line • Economics of Recreation • TRAIL a sustainable non-profit - Events • TRAIL Projects (website) • Atakapa-Ishak Trail in Detail (website) Presentation Outline

3. MISSION:TRAIL is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and maintaining parks, hiking trails, bike trails and other recreational infrastructure. Development of the infrastructure is how TRAIL promotes it motto of the 4 E’s: Experience, Educate, Exercise and Enjoy. These facilities encourage people to get outside Experience their environment, gain more Education about their environment and health, have more opportunities for exercise and better Enjoy their community. TRAIL is working to build better communities that promote healthy lifestyle options, appreciation for the native environment, and a more desirable place to live, work and visit. TRAIL Mission & Vision VISION:The vision of TRAIL is to be the catalyst to help build, maintain and promote the use of bike paths, walking paths, running paths, kayak trails and parks. TRAIL works alongside various governments, individuals and businesses to make these facilities a reality. TRAIL would assist in financing projects through searching for grant opportunities, raising funds through events, and soliciting sponsorship.

4. Metropolitan Transportation Planning Process What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization and its functions? A metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is a transportation policymaking organization made up of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973 required the formation of an MPO for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000. MPOs were created in order to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive (3-C) planning process. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process.

5. 2004 • Bikeway Technical Subcommittee to MPO • Concept of an entity that would become T.R.A.I.L. developed • Red’s triathlete group talks about a Mardi Gras event and the Lundi Gras Bar-A-Thon is born fund raiser and is carried out every year since. • 2005 • TRAIL legally organized • 2007 • TRAIL partners with Alzheimers Association to put on several events bike rides, runs and volleyball tournaments. • 2008 • TRAIL establishes an account with Community Foundation of Acadiana specifically for the construction and maintenance of the Atakapa-Ishak Trail. Plans to establish future project specific accounts as warranted. • 2011 • Andre’ Mitchell joins TRAIL plans to become future Board Member • 2012 • Hire Kat Crappel & Tony Bonomolo join TRAIL as independent contractors • Submission of 1023 to attain 5010c(3) recognition Time Line

6. RECREATION IS CRITICAL FOR COMMUNITY • Promotes Healthy Living • Provides Entertainment • Provides Economic Acitivity • Provides Economic Means of Transportation

7. Economic Impact of Recreation in Your Community • In the popular Outer Banks of North Carolina, a onetime investment of $6.7 million of federal, state and local funds in new trails has created 1,400 jobs and now pays back $60 million a year. • “Given that recreation-based nonmetropolitan counties have experienced three times the rate of net migration as compared to nonmetropolitan areas as a whole, rural communities endowed with natural amenities will likely experience growing local demands on service and retail businesses” • Each of the 9,000 homes within one-half mile of the Monon (Indianapolis, Indiana) trail enjoy an estimated sales premium of $13,059, amounting to a $116 million increase in property values associated with the presence of the Monon Trail. • For every $1 paid to canoeing outfitters customers spent $5 for gas, groceries, restaurants, campgrounds and other lodging. Seventy canoe liveries in Florida generate $38.5 million per year. • An Australian study found that those who walked for recreation for more than 8.6 minutes per day were 72% more likely to report better physical health and 33% more likely to report better mental health, than those who walked less. • A 1998 study found that lots adjacent to the Mountain Bay Trail in Brown County, Wisconsin (NW of Green Bay) sold faster and for an average of 9% more than similar property not located next to the Trail. • The median paddler group spent $215 per trip in, local communities. Non-locals spent an average, of $46 per person per day. The majority of local, expenses were made in communities adjacent to the waterways. • Consumer’s Survey on Smart Choices for Home Buyers finding that trails ranked the second most important amenity out of a list of 18 choices. • Blueways also tend to encourage economic development and tourism through the enhancement and promotion of the existing river resources. • A study of users of the Fox River Trail (Green Bay) showed 39% of responding businesses indicated increased business as a result of the Fox River Trail. • Tourists seeking natural-resource-based settings, tranquility, and adventures have affected rural economies by injecting new dollars into local businesses supporting local tax bases and creating increased demands for locally available land, labor, and capital. With regard to recreational use of natural resources tourist expenditures create local demands for traded goods and services, thus creating jobs and income for local residents” •According to a USDA Economic Research Service study, rural counties able to attract “creative class” businesses enjoy job- growth rates higher than even metropolitan counties. According to the study, two qualities sought by creative class workers are “active streets scenes and outdoor recreation opportunities”—both of which are fostered when people are given the option of safe walking and biking facilities. • By promoting minimum-impact practices, water trails embrace the "Leave No Trace" code of outdoor ethics that promote the responsible use and enjoyment of the outdoors.

8. Ecotourism Tammany Trace • Minimize impact • Build environmental & cultural awareness • Provide positive experiences for both visitors & hosts • Provide direct financial benefits for conservation • Provide financial benefits & empowerment for local people 10,000 visitors per month

9. In order to be a self sustaining organization that does not rely on membership or grant monies to support the administrative overhead, T.R.A.I.L. puts on several events that encourage exercise and the utilization of the bike trails, running/walking trails and parks that TRAIL assists in building and maintaining. Some of these events are: • Cajun Country 1/2 Marathon & 10k Trail Run • Cajun Challenge Bicycle Ride • Lundi Gras Bar-A-Thon • Volleyball Tournaments • Riding Armadillo Scavenger Hunt (RASH) • Spring Festival Ride TRAIL Sustainable Business Model

10. How To Get Involved & Stay Informed • www.LAtrail.org • info@LAtrail.org • Facebook Group search TRAILs4LA • http://www.facebook.com/groups/TRAILs4LA/ • Facebook Events Page • http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/TRAIL-Events/217112605081471 • Scott Schilling: 337-781-9416 scott@LAtrail.org • Kat Crappel: Kat@LAtrail.org • Tony Bonomolo: Tony@LAtrail.org • Andre’ Michell: 337.254.7460 andre@LAtrail.org