Adopt-A-Trail statement of concept:
Friends of Little Miami State Park is launching an ambitious new program to promote stewardship of the Little Miami State Park in Warren, Clermont, Greene and Hamilton counties. The program will engage and educate participants to become active and knowledgeable guardians of their adopted trail segment. Just as an Adopt-a-Highway sign reminds us that someone cares about the road over which we pass, Adopt-a-Trail signage will inform users that someone cares about the trail they use. In this way, the program will have ripple effects beyond the faithful few who already understand the importance of this amenity. The restoration and preservation of the trail depends on an engaged and informed citizen presence. The needs of the trail simply outstrip the resources available from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
We are currently identifying trail repair and maintenance needs with the help of Alan Ferguson, ODNR Assistant Park Manager for Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake and Little Miami State Parks. Once he identifies the activities for which he doesn’t have manpower or funds, we will begin trying to coordinate projects with volunteers. We anticipate two kinds of projects: 1) ongoing trail maintenance, probably to include brush clearing and culvert cleaning; and 2) discrete one-time-only projects such as acquisition and replacement of benches, installation of signage, etc.
When the time comes to match adopters with projects, we expect to approach individuals who have expressed interest in the initiative, as well as, businesses, park districts, and other organizations which might want to help us. Some businesses and civic organizations have service requirements which might find beneficial expression in our work projects; bike shops, canoe liveries, and restaurants will likely want to be associated with a well-maintained trail.
As the list of work projects comes together, we’ll compose a section for each one in the Adopt-a-Trail “Owners Manual.” Copies of this manual will go to designated officers and/or board members so that they will be prepared, if necessary, to coordinate work projects in the event the Adopt-a-Trail coordinator is unavailable.
We’ve contacted coordinators of other adopt-a-trail efforts with questions about successes and pitfalls. We feel it will be especially important to work cooperatively with the Greene County Parks adopt-a-trail coordinator, since we’re maintaining the same trail and we believe we want our users to experience a seamless transition from our territory to that of the Greene County group. We may choose to make our signs of similar size and shape to further the effect of relative boundary-invisibility.