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Maryland Horse Council
Trails & Greenways Committee
Business Plan for 2003
June 25, 2003
Our Mission
To be a resource to help equestrians communicate and obtain information and education about Maryland’s equestrian trails.
Objectives
Specific issues that we know equestrians would like help with include:
- Where to obtaining maps of existing public trails, directions to trail head parking, local contacts for help, and how to report problems
- How to serve as an equestrian trail steward –getting your trails mapped, responsible trail maintenance, and how to escalate and resolve problems.
- How to practicing good “Trail etiquette,” to preserve access to existing trails and to share trails safely with bikers and hikers
- How to construct horse safe trails - stone dust vs asphalt, bridges, underpasses, road crossings, and erosion control
- Where to finding funding to develop and improve trails – TEA-21 awards, mitigation money from development, the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
- How to influence state legislation on laws that affect trails like Sunday Hunting, and development and zoning
- Ways to working with their local government and agencies on trail issues
- Finding contacts for trail riding clubs and groups
- Acceptable methods to mark trails permanently or temporarily
- How to vote for “Equestrian Trail Friendly” government officials
Scope of Our Activities
We will serve as a statewide resource for local trail riding clubs, and individuals interested in equestrian trails. We will assist local groups working on trail issues at a county level. We will conduct an annual fundraiser to build a war chest to enable us to hire professional assistance when necessary.
Communications Vehicles
We can disseminate information by:
- Verbal report at MHC’s quarterly meetings
- Publishing articles in the Equiery – distributed statewide
- Articles in local clubs newsletters
- Speaking at local club meetings
- Brochures in parks, tack shops
- The MHC Web site http://www.mdhorsecouncil.org/
- E-mailing interested individuals and groups
- The Maryland Horse Expo (booth, seminars, lectures, flyers)
- An annual Public Relations event for legislators and families
Communication Products
Specific information products we discussed preparing included:
- Trail Etiquette Brochure (sharing multi-use trails)
- Guide to Requesting Funding for Trail Improvements
- List of Riding Clubs, Contacts, and Counties (where they are active)
- List of Trails, Trail Maps, Parking, Trail Stewards, Contacts for Problems
- Guide on How to Building Safe Trails for Equestrians
- How to become a Trail Steward, Do Trail Maintenance, Mark Trails
- How to Work with Our Government to Preserve Trails (development, zoning)
- Flyer on the Pro’s and Con’s of Sunday Hunting
- List of Potential Equestrian Trails and the Process of Making New Trails
- How to Vote for “Equestrian Trail Friendly” Government Officials
Current Projects
Project leaders for current activities. We have several activities that either need a leader or need more people to participate. Contact us if you can help!
| Who |
What |
Peggy Bree
bree@riva.net |
E-mail group communications. T&G web pages and postings |
Barb Thelen
thelen@starband.net |
Recover Savage trail along Middle Patuxent River Greenway
On-line trail database of existing trails
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Doreen Hill
docdoe@starpower.net |
Guide to Requesting Funding brochure
Legislative voting record data for web pages |
Chris Aist
caist@mayerbrownrowe.com |
Hoofprints Park in South River Greenway
Equestrian access to South Shore Trail |
Jane Toal
(410) 268-9688 |
Collect old trail maps and guides to document traditional trails that can be recovered or need to be protected |
Mary Snyder
mary.snyder@att.net |
Equestrian access to Chapman Forest
Lower Patuxent River Greenway trail development |
Royce Herman
raherman@dmv.com |
Chair meeting
Liaison to MHC Executive Committee |
Jacquie Cowan
jscowan@gscm.org |
Meeting location and logistics |
Crystal Brumme
crystaleq@rcn.com |
Trail etiquette brochure – needs photos showing multi-trail users |
| Volunteer Needed |
Sunday hunting – a plan to make a strong state-wide response |
| Volunteer Needed |
T&G EXPO activities |
| Volunteer Needed |
T&G Fundraiser |
| Volunteer Needed |
T&G Legislative Relations Event |
| Volunteer Needed |
Trail Safety – working with DOT on bridge and road crossings, safe construction guidelines, halt the paving of trails |
| Volunteer Needed |
Trail Development (new trails and connectors) |
| Volunteer Needed |
Trail Stewardship |
Calendar of Events and Milestones for 2003-2004
| Month |
Event |
Milestones |
| June |
2003 Kick off meeting June 25 |
EXPO commitment to provide presentations, conduct seminars or give demos in arena -? |
| July |
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EXPO book speakers- ?
DATABASE started – Barb Thelen
Trail Etiquette Brochure – Crystal
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| August |
August 13 Meeting 6:30 pm
Dept. of Agriculture Building
Annapolis, MD
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EXPO develop seminars, brochures, flyers, and handouts -?
WEB PAGES 2nd version – Peggy Bree
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| September |
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| October |
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LEGISLATIVE Identify potential bills and sponsors affecting trails – ? |
| November |
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EXPO descriptions for program guide - ?
EMAIL groups created – Peggy Bree
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| December |
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| January |
EXPO – third weekend
Legislative Session starts
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WEB PAGES updated – Peggy Bree
DATABASE updated – Barb Thelen
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| February |
Legislative Session starts |
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| March |
Legislative Session ends |
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| April |
Annual Equiery Trail Issue |
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| May |
Annual Fundraiser?
- perhaps a social trail ride and BBQ at a large park
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| June |
National Trail Day
- multi-use trail activities
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E-mail the Trails and Greenways Committee at green@riva.net
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