Conservation Montgomery 2013 Annual Meeting 

Meeting Program:  Countywide Park Trails - A New Vision 

Join us to celebrate our 3rd anniversary as an organization. This year our party will be enhanced with a presentation by Chuck Kines, Parks Planner Coordinator (PPSD)  on the Countywide Park Trails Amendment. The current amendment draft is being prepared for Planning Commission review this Autumn or by winter.   

Since 1998, the first version of the trails plan has guided park trail planning. But it isn't realistic since none of the proposed alignments for more than 100 miles of trails had been ground-truthed. Nor did they benefit  from modern environmental assessment tools. Wisely, the Parks Stewardship division convened a multi- stakeholder Trails Working Group and since 2011,  the group has been meeting monthly to develop a plan to better address the needs of parks users who rely on trails. 

Two of our Board members are serving on the TWG; former BOD Jennifer Chambers and Vice Chair Ginny Barnes.  Stakeholders and Parks stewardship staff have been working for over 18 months using a resource atlas developed by Dr. John Hench (Chief of Stewardship Division) to identify and overlay environmental and cultural resources on maps that can guide realistic placement of trail alignments. 

The goal is for the Trail Plan amendment to be ready for adoption by the Planning Commission in the coming year.  This exciting development heralds a new era for all park trail users.  Other members of Parks trail staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Wine, beer, soft drinks and light refreshments will be served at a networking session before Mr. Kines speaks. Please plan to attend.