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In February of 1999, I had the honor of presiding as master of ceremonies at the awards banquet for the Indiana Trails and Greenways Conference. What a celebration as we recognized trail and greenway development efforts in communities throughout Indiana!
Almost two years have passed since that biennial conference. We are now gearing up for the 2001 Indiana Trails and Greenways Conference to be held Feb. 25-27 in downtown Indianapolis. This year's conference sports the theme "Building Healthy, Livable Communities." The conference is hosted by the DNR along with the Indiana Department of Transportation and several other groups.
As the theme for the upcoming conference suggests, these trails and greenways make our communities better places to live. As linear parks, trails and greenways provide opportunities for recreation, exercise and alternative transportation. They also serve to protect open space that provides habitat and migration corridors for wildlife.
Trails and greeways have become the pride and joy of many Indiana communities. Up in Wells County, the city of Bluffton and Ouabache State Park have recently completed a greenway trail along the Wabash River. The trail connects Bluffton with Ouabache State Park. At the ribbon cutting ceremony you could feel the pride the community had in this new facility. It is exciting to know that many other communities are planning similar trail connections to other DNR properties.
The growing popularity of greenway trails is evidence that these facilities are strongly supported by citizens in local communities. This should come as no surprise as these trails connect neighborhoods with schools, libraries, parks, shopping districts and employment centers. Easily accessible trails tend to take away our excuses for avoiding needed exercise. They also provide a real sense of community as neighbors pass one another with a smile and a wave.
Successful trails and greenways projects usually involve a lot of resourcefulness and determination on the part of individuals within their respective communities.
The upcoming conference provides opportunities for trail and greenway advocates to share ideas and support one another's efforts. Recommended attendees include park and recreation professionals, community development professionals, transportation planners, community health professionals, environmental professionals, and trail users and advocates.
I encourage you to join us Feb. 25-27 as we celebrate Indiana trail and greenway successes and chart the future for a state in which trails are easily accessible to all of its citizens. With this conference we are committed to building healthy and more livable Indiana communities. Detailed conference information is available on the internet at www.indygreenways.org/conference or by calling 317-237-9425.
