“Hiking, Biking, Riding and Paddling in the Greater Washington National Parks

“Hiking, Biking, Riding and Paddling in the
Greater Washington National Parks”

Draft Proposal: Prepared by
the Greater Washington National Parks Fund
October 15, 2003

Executive Summary:

The goal of the “Hiking, Biking, Riding and Paddling in the Greater Washington National Parks Project” is:

“To attract park visitors to raise greater awareness of the parks as a way to encourage them to use the parks and contribute to their stewardship”.

The project was initially proposed to the Greater Washington National Park Fund (GWNP) by Prince William Forest Park as a way to encourage NPS visitors to hike specific designated trails within the fourteen parks that comprise GWNPF, and to receive recognition for their achievement. Visitors that hike, ride, or paddle certain trails would receive a certificate, patch, and T-shirt proclaiming that “I’ve hiked, biked, rode and paddled the Greater Washington National Parks.” The idea envisions that visitors that participate would pay a nominal fee to obtain a trail map and register for the program. After completion of each segment, visitors would have their passport of the Greater Washington National Parks ‘stamped’ with the park logo. Once a person completes all the designated trails, they will submit their materials and receive recognition.

In June 2003, the National Park Foundation donated a $15,000 “seed grant” to the GWNPF to launch the project. The grant required a match of in-kind services and/or dollars. NCR matched the grant with funds from the National Partnership Office and the Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project and is actively seeking additional funding to support the effort.


Objectives:

Use existing NPS park trails to help improve the public’s awareness and support of NPS park resources and programs.
Promote public participation, health and fitness through trail use.
Attract a broad section of the community and region to engage in park activities including volunteerism.
Create a NCR Trail Stewardship Endowment Fund for trail planning, expansion, maintenance, signage, safety and enforcement.
Create opportunities for visitors to learn about and participate in the Greater Washington National Parks Fund.


Possible Project Elements:

Kick-Off Rollout Event – The project will be launched in the Spring of 2004, scheduled as a part of a larger park or trail related occasion such as National Trails Day, March for Parks, or Public Lands Day.

Periodic Trail Events – The project could feature monthly activities highlighting a specific type of trail or trails in a specific park. Trail activities would be advertised in advance and could be lead by a Ranger.

Health Related Events – Health related events will focus on acquainting Health Care workers with trails in the vicinity of their institutions and the benefits to be derived from trail activities. Volunteer projects that will improve the resource and one’s health at the same time. Schedule an event that is related to the President’s Healthier US initiative and Blue Cross Blue Shield “Walking Works” Program.

Campaign – two years devoted to raising awareness of the trail in GWNPF through volunteer projects, corporate involvement, and government support.

Outreach – quarterly newsletters announcing up-coming events and participants accomplishments.


Possible Funding to Support the Project:

Corporate: The NPF could assist NPS by securing donations from recreation companies (i.e., REI, LL Bean, etc.), the health and insurance industry (i.e., Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, etc.), innovative auto companies (i.e., KIA Cars, etc.).
Government: NPS could seek grants from the NPS Chesapeake Bay Gateways Program, ISTEA and TEA-21, the Metropolitan Washington Transit System, and others.
NPS Funding: NPS-NCR could make this project a priority for 2004-2005 for the allocation of existing funds going to the Youth Conservation Corps ($197,000), Challenge Cost Share Program ($110,000), Public Lands Corps ($250,000), Student Conservation Association, and Americorps.
GWNPF Website: The GWNPF could feature this project on the existing website and seek individual philanthropic contributions.
Non-Government Organizations: Area hiking and biking organizations could be encouraged to partner, participate and contribute to the project.


Why this project and why now?

After more than three years of discussion and planning, the GWNPF needs to move beyond traditional corporate donor fundraising strategies and reach-out to individuals that have an existing or potential interest in the parks, trails and stewardship activities.
Trails are one of the assets of each and every NCR park. Trails are a diverse and outstanding way to establish a meaningful connection and relationship with potential donors and volunteers. This program would be repackaging many of the maintenance and interpretive programs that parks are currently doing on their trails.
President Bush has consistently stressed the need for Americans to exercise regularly through the Healthier US Initiative. Trails are a type of community health infrastructure that people can use to “shape-up” and enjoy themselves.
The trails community in the Greater Washington region is active and likely to be supportive of a trails project that includes a way to create trails stewardship endowment


Next Steps:

Reach agreement on project details with Superintendents
Secure additional funding commitments
Select date for kick-off
Prepare a Workplan and Memorandum of Agreement


Contacts:

For additional information contact:
Bob Sutton, Chair, Greater Washington National Parks Fund, Parks Council (703) 754-1861
Glenn Eugster, NPS-NCR Partnerships Office (202) 619-7492