Symposium Closing

Yesterday was the last day of the National Trials Symposium. For some housekeeping, the name I have been using for the symposium was a little wrong. What I attended as the 2008 National Trails Symposium presented by American Trails

OK, that's corrected. Was a short day. No coffee Trail Talk, just 2 sessions and the closing luncheon.

Creating Trails the Users Want So You Don't Get the Trails You Don't Want was the first session I attended. Two of the 3 presenters are ATV riders - but most of the information presented is applicable to most all trails. The third present is from Minnesota DNR and presented 3 case studies.

The final session I attended was Volunteer Stewardship Planning and Integrating Youth and Trails. This was probably the least interested for me.

The Symposium ended with a luncheon address by Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods".

Now, I have been assembling my notes to forward to interested parties.

On to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving.

Symposium Day 3 and CARP Ride

My day started with a bike ride downtown to the Convention Center. A beautiful morning.

Like yesterday, there were rolls and coffee for Trail Talk. I sat in on "The Impact of Trail Events". The talk centered around trail fundraising events.

All attendees gathered for a general session to discuss the future of trails. Four well versed trail advocates presented to "living room" talk of the history of the National Trails. Then participants got their "mike time". Comments were recorded and plans are to have the comments on the American Trails web site.

Broke into smaller groups for Concurrent sessions. I attended one titled: Improving the Built Environment: How urban trail systems and Complete Streets Provide Connections Within Cities.

In the afternoon was Mobile Workshop time. For me, it was mountain biking at Camp Robinson - lead by CARP (Central Arkansas Recreational Pedalers. OH it was a great afternoon to be in the woods, on my bike!

The day ended with the American Trails 19th National Trails Banquet.

OH, by the way, my trail bike (Trek Fuel EX7), topped 1100 miles today.

Symposium - Day 2

Today, I had to take a photo of what I could use as a bike rack inside of the Convention Center. OH well.

The day started with coffee & rolls in a session called "Trail Talk". I sat at the table where the topic was "Trail Maintenance - You Built, They Came, Now What".

After coffee, it was off to the meeting rooms. There were 2 session in the morning that I was interested in: "Inviting the Community Back into the Woods - Nature Trails in Urban Landscapes" and "Biking Toward a Sustainable Future". Both of these were lead by IMBA.

We broke for lunch where the SHORT business meeting was held (elect the board and adjourn). Keynote Addess was made by Dr. Richard Jacksin, UCLA School of Public Health.

In the afternoon, I attended presentations titled "Buy, Sell, Beg, or Borrow: Creative Funding Ideas from American Trails" presented by Friends of the Katy Trail (the Dallas, Katy Trail) and "Understanding Sustainablity and Boulding Better Trails" presented by IMBA and Elakah Expeditions.

The day closed with the "Trails Rock" Party at the Clinton Library.

Symposium - Day 1

The American Trails Symposium opened yesterday afternoon. Rode my bike to the afternoon session.

The afternoon was visiting at the exhibitor booths. Several booths had not been set up yet. A couple were not manned. Anyway, checked out the exhibit hall. Picked up some information.

In the evening there was the Opening reception. Thanks to Lewis & Clark Outfitters for the food!

During this session, I talked with Scott Linnenburger of IMBA. I had met Scott in Rapid City for Black Hill Fat Tire Festival. We talked about THOR plans, and desires. Later, I met Mary Hanson from National Parks (out of Omaha) Did some networking there.

Ended the evening with a drive to the Big Dam Bridge to take photos. Got some good shots. (Sure was raw out up on the bridge.)

Partial Redemption

Made it to the Convention Center for registration this morning. There, I commented about the "bike rack" out front. Someone was there that pointed to signs in the hall that one room includes for "bike parking".

The room is a unused section of the large hall. So, there is a inside space for bike parking, just no rack to stand up the bike and lock to a rack. Guess just locked parts of the bike together and lean on the wall or lay on the floor. (That's why I call it a "partial" redemption.

In other news from the Symposium, I perused the the Conference Program. I have selected sessions to attend.

The Immense Benefits of Trails: More Than Just Exercise

Biking Toward a Sustainable Future

Buy, Sell, Beg, or Borrow: Creative Funding Ideas from American Trails

Improving the Built Environment: How Urban Trail Systems and Complete Streets Provide Connections within Cities

Training and Resources for Building Better Trails

Camp Robinson Mountain Bike Ride

This Is A Bike Rack???

During my preparations for attending the American Trails Symposium,I contacted the group to inquire about a secure bicycle rack during the symposium. I am visiting friends in Little Rock and planned to bike the 2 miles from their home to the convention center.

The first response was: "No one has ever asked for that - we'll get back with you". A week or so later they told me they will have bike racks.

Today, a day before registration starts, I rode over to the State House Convention Center to check out the bike rack. What they showed me was not a bike rack, but crowd control fence sections - see photo. The person with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau told me that's their bike racks (or what the use as bike racks).

Now, I can understand the real bike rack may not important for many conventions like the VFW, or garden show, or an auto show but this is the American Trail Symposium. There are bicycle rides during the function.