National Plant Board
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 |
| 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 | EXPO book speakers- ? DATABASE started – Barb Thelen Trail Etiquette Brochure – Crystal |
|
| August | August 13 Meeting 6:30 pm Dept. of Agriculture Building Annapolis, MD |
EXPO develop seminars, brochures, flyers, and handouts -? WEB PAGES 2nd version – Peggy Bree |
| September | ||
| October | LEGISLATIVE Identify potential bills and sponsors affecting trails – ? | |
| November | EXPO descriptions for program guide - ? EMAIL groups created – Peggy Bree |
|
| December | ||
| January | EXPO – third weekend Legislative Session starts |
WEB PAGES updated – Peggy Bree DATABASE updated – Barb Thelen |
| February | Legislative Session starts | |
| March | Legislative Session ends | |
| April | Annual Equiery Trail Issue | |
| May | Annual Fundraiser? - perhaps a social trail ride and BBQ at a large park |
|
| June | National Trail Day - multi-use trail activities |
E-mail the Trails and Greenways Committee at green@riva.net