Southern Valley Trails Project

Collaborative practice in action!
For several years local trail users have dreamed of an enhanced multi-use trail network in close proximity to the City. In 2009 a group of trail users got together and created the Southern Valley Trails Report, which identified the various trail improvements desired by each user group. That process laid the groundwork for the formation of a conceptual trail plan, a project I have been charged with developing in collaboration with the Forest Service and trail users.
Last night was the public workshop for the Southern Valley Trails Project. Folks from the Teton Area Advisory Forum and the University of Wyoming generously lent their time to facilitate small group exercises. Approximately 40 folks attended and responded to existing conditions and the initial concepts for summer and winter trails developed by the committee.
The next step is compiling and analyzing all of the public feedback to refine the proposal, and then to present an update to the public. Ultimately, a final proposal will be submitted to the Forest Service for evaluation through the NEPA process. Although formal approval from the Forest Service could take years, local residents (myself included) are already waiting, shovels and pulaskis in hand, to construct the trail network.