Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC)

Guadalupe, California

Los Amigos de Guadalupe and partners focused on positioning downtown Guadalupe as the “Gateway to the Dunes” by connecting Main Street to the nearby Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve, Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve, and Oso Flaco Lake. They also discussed boosting downtown amenities, particularly lodging, by capitalizing on the fact that Highway 1 is the city’s main thoroughfare. Additionally, the local steering committee focused on engaging the primarily Hispanic and Mixtec population, improving convenient and free multi-modal access from Guadalupe to the beach, and engaging youth in outdoor recreation and related learning and career opportunities.  

Key Themes: Main street revitalization, trails, equitable access to outdoor recreation, flood recovery and resilience, community and youth engagement, lodging development, marketing, multi-modal transportation, local capacity-building, inclusive engagement. 

Early Wins: The RERC plan was translated into Spanish and Mixteco (the first document of its kind on the Central Coast!). Relationships were formed with California GO–Biz, the Visit California Regional Strategic Tourism Planning team for the Central Coast Region, and the Central Coast Tourism Council. Inspired by the turnout and engagement at the RERC workshops, the City is planning a State of the City event, hopefully with interpretation. The City is working to hire a planner and public works director, and is exploring the idea of adding staff to write and manage grants. A group of community members gave the Royal Theater a temporary facelift to visually represent the behind-the-scenes planning and grant work that is ongoing. Applications were submitted for the Smart Growth America Community Connectors capacity-building grant program and a Clean California Grant. 

Yreka, California

The Siskiyou Economic Development Council and partners worked together to grow Yreka’s downtown amenities, enhance physical connections to access outdoor recreation, inspire community pride and identity in the city’s natural, recreational, cultural, and historic assets, and invest in businesses and entrepreneurs that support the outdoor recreation sector. This project will support alternative transportation infrastructure and downtown improvements that will improve accessibility and public health. 

Key Themes: Transportation infrastructure, improving public health, accessibility.  

Early Wins: Yreka was selected as 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Design Cohort, which will build on their RERC action plan efforts. The RERC action plan was also used in an application (that was funded!) to the State of California for $2.1 million for the renovation of their downtown old library (Carnegie Library) into a tech, innovation, business incubator, and visitor center. Yreka received a $10,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable in August 2023 to position the Jefferson Mountain Bike Company as a central hub for the community with contemporary renovations to develop a curated marketing campaign and dedicated online booking to appeal to travelers along the Interstate-5 corridor between San Francisco and Portland. This grant will help unlock support from the Siskiyou County Economic Development Council and Discover Siskiyou, who work collaboratively to support regional business development. Jefferson Mountain Biking Company will address barriers to access by increasing accessibility to equipment and mountain-bike workshop activities for low-income youth. 

Quincy, California

Local organizations including Plumas County, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and many more worked together to support equitable access to trails and outdoor recreation assets to improve public health, collaborate with and uplift tribal partners in outdoor recreation and tourism activities, increase the vibrancy of downtown Quincy, support business and economic development, and increase affordable and accessible housing opportunities. These activities are grounded in the County's resilience and recovery efforts, including sustainable management of forests and other resources following wildfires. 

Key Themes: Wildfire resilience efforts, sustainable forest management, increasing access to trails from downtown to improve public health, tribal collaboration, downtown revitalization, housing, economic and business development. 

Early Wins: Plumas County has been working on transportation improvement projects with funding from the Federal Highways and the Federal Lands Access Program, particularly on improving safety and pedestrian/bike access on Quincy Junction Road and I-70 and informational kiosks. A pocket park is being built in downtown to serve as a public gathering space, in partnership with local artists and with signs that recognize indigenous place names and culture. The Steering Committee is partnering with the Plumas County Museum to create a temporary visitor center with public restroom access and is looking at the Lawry House as a possible location for a permanent visitor center. The County has established a Workforce Housing Working Group to coordinate efforts around supporting housing in the community; has conducted a survey of land parcels with multifamily zoning that are available for additional housing development; and has developed a set of pre-approved building plans for single family and Accessory Dwelling Units. Plumas County was formally added to the new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) region. Quincy Chamber created a shared event calendar on their website and offering new programming and events. All the area Chambers of Commerce have created a Chamber Coalition to share resources and support local businesses. Plumas County received a grant from the Rural Community Assistance Corporation called “Building Rural Economies” (BRE), which is funded through a HUD 2022 Rural Capacity Building (RCB) Grant. This grant will help implement the RERC action plan and hold a series of workshops called “Recharge Our Community’s Economy.” The grant is for $75,000 over 3-year period to hire a “Community Coordinator” to manage the work, with the assistance of RCAC staff. 

Butte, Montana

The City-County of Butte-Silver Bow and partners identified plans to build on their vibrant and growing trail network and better connect it to Butte’s Main Street district, strengthening economic development opportunities. This project will complement local Superfund cleanup activities to address historical mine contamination in and around one of the nation’s largest historic landmark districts and will help provide connections to trails and other transportation options that will support land conservation and improve public health.  

Key Themes: Superfund cleanup and redevelopment, trail connectivity, land conservation, and public health. 

Early Wins: Mainstreet Uptown Butte received funding from the Montana Department of Commerce and the Big Sky Trust Fund to advance several initiatives, including pedestrian lighting, establishment of a business improvement district, wayfinding, and crosswalk improvements. Construction has begun on 2.1-mile segment of Silver Bow Creek Greenway, and the Greenway Service District has requested additional Natural Resource Damage Program funding through the Montana Department of Justice to help construct four uncompleted segments of the Silver Bow Creek Greenway. The USDA Forest Service is exploring the potential acquisition of property adjacent to Thompson Park, which could allow for a new trail connection between Butte and the park. Friends of Thompson Park was awarded a grant from the State of Montana Trail Stewardship Program (Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks) to do weed spraying and trail maintenance in the park. The East Ridge Foundation is under construction on a new 0.5-mile section of trail near the Continental Drive interchange and is conducting new trail maintenance thanks to a Trail Stewardship grant from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Montana Tech is debuting a software program through which community members will be able to make digital reservations and rent outdoor gear directly from Montana Tech. Butte KOA received a $75,000 KOA Campground of the Future award for green initiatives including solar canopies and an outdoor education area adjacent to Montana native plantings. Butte received a $10,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable in August 2023 to create a centralized/primary information website to provide information about area recreation activities and opportunities for both residents and out-of-town visitors. 

Monte Vista, Colorado

San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!), the City of Monte Vista, and partners focused on boosting equitable access to outdoor recreation for residents, increasing tourism opportunities that tie into local assets like the annual Sandhill Crane Festival, and strengthening Main Street revitalization and small business development efforts.  

Key Themes: Trail connectivity, public health, equitable access to the outdoors. 

Early Wins: The City of Monte Vista created an AmeriCorps position to coordinate implementation of the RERC action plan. Monte Vista received a Multi-Modal Options Fund (MMOF) grant, worth $2 million for sidewalks. The City of Monte Vista also received a $1 million grant from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry program to plant 500 trees in the community. SLV GO! applied for and received technical assistance under the National Park Service (NPS) – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. The RTCA program started a partnership with Colorado State University’s landscape architecture department to provide additional capacity on projects with communities like Monte Vista. RTCA staff met with Monte Vista City staff to discuss services in the downtown area, including potential streetscape improvements. SLV GO!, installed Parks Rx America QR codes at Chapman Park and is using a text reminder interface to have primary care recipients use nature prescriptions. Skeff Nature Trail now has a Gear Punch Card Incentive Program, where visitors can redeem punched cards for basic outdoor gear. SLV GO!, is working with the Language Justice Coalition to develop a Spanish Language Toolkit that encourages stewardship and “leave no trace” principles. The City of Monte Vista is offering an Adventure Club program, with a partnership with Colorado Wildlife and Parks, teaching fishing and archery. Steering Committee staff from the RERC process presented about the RERC process and outcomes so far at the Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit in October 2023 – sharing their successes with communities across the state. 

Columbiana, Alabama

The city of Columbiana and partners discussed increased visitation to existing assets, expanding recreational amenities by connecting them with the downtown area through a walkway and bike trail, and expanding community engagement in Columbiana and surrounding communities in Shelby County, Alabama. 

Key Themes: Connectivity, placemaking, marketing. 

Early Wins: Brainstorming options to obtain property as part of a Town Creek project with proposed utility maintenance to allow for improvements to walking along the creek. Obtained GIS maps to see about possible rights-of-way to connect the Calera, Montevallo, and Columbia by multi-use trail.  

Hartwell, Georgia

Live Well, Play Well, Hartwell!

The city of Hartwell and partners planned to leverage the city’s access to the third largest lake in the Southeast by increasing connections between the lake and downtown and supporting agrotourism and outdoor recreation.  

Key Themes: Transportation; accessibility; inclusivity; youth engagement; connecting to the Lake; walkability and connectivity for the Rome neighborhood, a primarily African American neighborhood in the City.  

Early Wins: Hartwell received the 2023 Georgia Outstanding Community Transformation/Downtown of the Year Award. The Steering Committee is researching various EPA Environmental Justice grants for neighborhood improvements and connectivity to downtown and Lake Hartwell. Through a partnership with the University of Georgia’s Archway Program, student teams designed concepts for a trail system and recreational enhancements that link amenities at Lake Hartwell with Hartwell’s historic Downtown, the Rome neighborhood, schools, and parks to provide multi-modal connectivity, increase public health, and attract recreational tourism. The Rome neighborhood, steeped in African American heritage, lacks proper infrastructure and safe routes to schools. Local leaders are prioritizing the neighborhood’s revival, focusing on restoring a significant African American school and gymnasium. Senators Warnock’s office made a visit to Hartwell and earmarked funds up to $4 million for owner occupied housing through a CHIP grant (home program through Housing and Urban Development). Funds will be used for historic site preservation, foster home and work for youth, etc. Hartwell also received a $10,000 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable in August 2023 to create a plaque and marker that designates the beginning of a trail that connects their downtown and Lake Hartwell. The plaque will celebrate the namesake of the county, Nancy Hart, and the region’s significance to the Cherokee people. The trail system will run through a historically segregated African American community that is both disconnected from the lake and the downtown due to a lack of sidewalk infrastructure, and the plaque will help the community retain its history and small town feel as it gains recognition as an outdoor recreation destination.  

Fairfield County, South Carolina

Fairfield County and partners planned for connecting the County's communities with existing state parks and lakes and to the statewide Palmetto Trail, to enhance local residents' knowledge and access, as well as to draw tourists and visitors to the area. The County is working towards ensuring equitable access to the outdoors and increasing physical activity to improve health and well-being for all Fairfield County residents, including the majority African American population. 

Key Themes: Tourism, connecting outdoor recreation amenities to downtown, rail-trail development, housing, marketing. 

Early Wins: Palmetto Trail Foundation was awarded National Park Service (NPS) – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance technical assistance to create a design plan for a spur trail from Allston Trailhead to Wateree River using gravel roads, and the planning process will begin in 2024. The County is soliciting consultants for a Housing Study (workforce, affordable, and all housing). Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $25,000 grant from the South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism to promote Fairfield County.  

McKee, Kentucky

The McKee Trail Town Committee and partners planned for marketing the community as a recreation hub; enhancing connectivity to the surrounding Daniel Boone National Forest and regional trails; diversifying the local economy while revitalizing downtown; and inclusively engaging the community, including youth, in the implementation process.  

Key Themes: Trail connectivity, youth engagement, placemaking and supporting local artists, small business and hospitality incubation. 

Early Wins: In the summer of 2023, the Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) was awarded a multi-million dollar grant/loan (50-50) from USDA Rural Utilities Services’ ReConnect program, to build out more fiber conduit and enhance digital connectivity in the region. The community held a Road Rally on September 22-23, 2023 which was a highly successful regional event that brought between 2,500-5,000 people to the area. In addition, the National Park Service received a grant for trail maintenance and will be hosting free mechanized trail maintenance training; they invited the community to participate in the trainings. The community is working on making improvements to the Jack Gabbard Memorial Park, as part of its action plan. Lastly, Jackson County’s Creative Community identified a youth engagement project to paint “mini murals” throughout Jackson County, and is working on the design and implementation with What’s Next East Kentucky – Community Accelerator Grant program. 

Jenkins, Kentucky

The city of Jenkins and partners explored creating new hiking, biking, and disc golf opportunities, building outdoor recreation cabins and trails on Pine Mountain trail above town, beautifying the downtown area to increase visitation and tourism; and expanding local anchor community assets. Having experienced devasting losses in the 2022 flooding, they are seeking ways to build back better and diversify their post-coal economy with recreation and downtown placemaking.  

Key Themes: Placemaking, recreational marketing, business incubation, housing availability and affordability, flood resilience, and healing from the opioid epidemic.   

Early Wins: Met with Department of Highways to begin discussing wildlife crossing along Highway 23 that crosses from Kentucky into Virginia. Selected to receive $100,000 in funds from the Kentucky Recreational Trails Program to develop a hiking and biking trail. Received $66,025 in funds from the Kentucky Land and Water Conservation Fund to make improvements to Jenkins City Park. Jenkins Disc Golf Club has mapped out an 18-hole course on the PMP Raven Rock and Little Shepherd Amphitheater properties and is discussing with both property owners about use and access. PMP is also conversing with the International Mountain Biking Association about installing a course on their properties. There is a potential for nearly 60 miles of biking trails in the vicinity, and having trails of varying skill levels would attract mountain bikers to Jenkins. In addition, they have received $2,424 from the Lt. Governor’s Office to the Letcher County Tourism and Convention Commission to support travel marketing and promotion. The Kentucky River Area Development District reported that as of August 2023, they have submitted five applications for funding from ARC, CDBG, and USDA RD. USDA RD is working closely with Smile Faith Appalachia to seek Community Facilities grant funding, and other possible funding to help with the redevelopment and reuse of the 11 acres they acquired from a coal company. Smile Faith Appalachia reported that in July 2023, significant clean-up efforts had been made to their 11-acre property, with the removal of old coal mining machinery and clearing of debris; they are also exploring the possibility of leveraging EPA Brownfields funding to support redevelopment efforts. They are also working with arborists to clean and maintain the area of trees and landscaping. Lastly, Appalshop, a local community institution focused on documenting the stories, theater, music, and art of Appalachia, recently announced that they will move their headquarters to Jenkins.

Fayetteville, West Virginia

The town of Fayetteville and partners planned to manage the increased visitation to the region that is resulting from the establishment of the New River Gorge National Park nearby, which presents an opportunity to engage in inclusive community tourism development and planning, increase local access to outdoor recreation, and cultivate a culture of wellness. 

Key Themes: Retaining their small-town charm and character as more visitation occurs; infrastructure improvements; housing availability and affordability; and walkability and wayfinding improvements.  

Early Wins: Fayetteville applied to the State's Commission for National and Community Service for a WV READY AmeriCorps person and received this award. This person, once onboarded, will be tasked with implementing the Town’s commitments to the RERC action plan, adding significant personnel capacity.  A “Finding Fayetteville Group” has started to meet to discuss how to retain authenticity and historic character. Conversations between the Town and County have begun about the Town taking ownership of the currently County-owned Memorial Building. Local merchants have also started to meet to talk about the new and emerging business opportunities.  

Buchanan, Virginia

The town of Buchanan and partners planned for enhanced pedestrian and bike connectivity to residential neighborhoods, the Appalachian Trail, the Upper James River Blueway, and the U.S. Bicentennial Bicycle Route; making improvements to Main Street; supporting small businesses in the outdoor recreation sector; and connecting the town to the river, mountains, and nearby trails in the region. 

Key Themes: Walkability in connecting Riverwalk to Town Park; finding safer alternatives from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail to Town; increased community engagement and events.  

Early Wins: Citizens really embraced process, and as a result of becoming empowered through the RERC process, one steering committee member decided to run for Town Council office. Residents are volunteering to help the over-worked single town planner. Steering Committee is becoming a permanent entity that meets regularly. The workshop generated the formation of the Buchanan Citizens Trails Committee to work on trail connections. Town has applied for  Appalachian Trail Community  Designation. Botetourt County Economic Development, Botetourt planning staff, and Virginia Tourism have become very engaged in helping Buchanan. Botetourt Economic Development received a $450,000 grant from Virginia’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for the revitalization of the Factory Flats building for the brewery and are currently making arrangements to work with Virginia Community Capital on the financing. 

Buena Vista, Virginia

The city of Buena Vista and partners planned for improving the impact of their centerpiece local park, Glen Maury Park, as well as its campground and event venue and discussed strategies to connect these resources to downtown and to surrounding recreational assets, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail.  

Key Themes: Connectivity and marketing; embracing the James River; making last mile connections to the Chessie Trail which goes to Lexington, VA; completing their Town Park plan; increasing lodging and support for downtown beautification. 

Early Wins: The RERC workshop resulted in greater state and federal partner involvement in Buena Vista’s activities. A Steering Committee member presented about Buena Vista’s RERC process and action plan at the Virginia APA Conference in summer 2023. Completed new “Kids in Parks” Track trail with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. An e-bike rental store is being planned. Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization (RARO) began outdoor-centered workshops to teach young people kayaking, hiking, and other outdoor basics. ARPA Funding supported new recreation additions, including upgraded electric and water infrastructure, 48 new campsites, and a new playground. Other new recreation additions include new kayak, bike, and tube rentals, completion of the trail network, new "Kids in Parks" Track Trail with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and new river access. New success downtown and within the workforce include development of a Main Street program, acquiring a parcel to design a Town square, starting up beautification efforts, seeing increased business activity downtown, and establishing a Virginia Innovation Accelerator and the Mountain Gateway's Wilson Workforce Center. 

Lawrence County, Ohio

The Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau and partners focused on improving their trail systems and boat docks to showcase the natural resources in the area, connecting to the nearby Wayne National Forest, and supporting the development of local businesses and marketing of Main Street activities.  

Key Themes: Accessibility to clean, green space; river access and environmental stewardship of rivers; downtown outdoor recreation infrastructure; marketing; business development. 

Early Wins: Extensive volunteer clean-ups have been held for the boat ramp and beach at Coal Grove Ice Creek Park (removing logs, laying gravel, picking up trash in the parking area). Regional planners assigned to Lawrence County by the State of Ohio have been helping and have started scoping many riverfront access projects. Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau staff attended an American Trails webinar on developing a national water trail. It was noted that Chesapeake recently received $850,000 from the Ohio State budget for the development of their riverfront. 

Brunswick, Maryland

The city of Brunswick and partners focused on reinvesting in Main Street infrastructure and businesses, including vacant buildings; building on the city’s historic and outdoor amenities; and boosting connections and accessibility to link outdoor recreation visitors directly to downtown.  

Key Themes: Marketing, tourism, main street development, brownfields, connectivity between downtown and major recreation destinations (C&O Canal, Potomac River, Appalachian Trail), connectivity between historic downtown and new developments, connectivity with/better leveraging the MARC station, local economic development. 

Early Wins: Brunswick was designated an  Appalachian Trail Community  by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The City added two new residents to the Downtown Main Street committee. City leaders connected with a local landowner working to preserve land and create a trail network in the Middletown Valley with the support of a local community foundation. The city’s Welcome Arch, which helps to visually connect the C&O Canal towpath and Brunswick’s downtown, was installed. Brunswick Main Street applied for a historic preservation grant from the National Historic Trust to rebuild and enhance the outdoor seating area at a local restaurant, a T-Mobile Hometown grant for wayfinding signage in Square Corner Park and by the train station, and a TRIPP grant to print a trifold brochure highlighting Brunswick's amenities that will go to Maryland Welcome Houses. Brunswick Branch Library incorporated outdoor recreation-related programming into the library’s summer 2023 offerings, which included a fishing program, bonfire, and more. 

Beverly, OH

The village of Beverly and partners planned to create a multi-use trail in the village to allow people to safely bike and walk, with the long-term goal of connecting the trail to the Marietta River Trail, which would link the community to other local recreational assets.  This is funded through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. See the Action Plan  Here. 

Key Themes: Walkability, connectivity. 

Early Wins: Met with design engineer, who will be coming to the Village of Beverly in the next couple of months to conduct surveying for the planned multi-use path. This is funded through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. 

Coshocton, OH

The city of Coshocton and partners focused on boosting river-based activities, building on recreational resources such as a large aquatic center with campgrounds, developing additional multi-use trails, and connecting these activities to downtown Coshocton. 

Key Themes: Downtown infrastructure and amenities. 

Early Wins: The Port Authority submitted multiple submissions to the ARC Community Grant totaling $250,000 for 29 projects. The Walhonding River is the final piece of the Muskingum River Watershed's main tributaries to be designated as a State Water Trail. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is committed to being the sponsoring agency by providing the application and financial support to Ohio Department of Natural Resources. MWCD is coordinating initial stakeholder interest/information gathering. City representatives started conversations at the county commissioner level about a riverwalk and some of the RERC actions related to downtown projects. 

Clearfork Valley, Tennessee

The Woodland Community Land Trust and partners brought stakeholders together to plan to diversify the recreation economy in an area that holds great potential for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rail trails, while also cleaning up abandoned mines and brownfield sites for reuse.  

Key Themes: Abandoned mine lands and facilities clean-up and redevelopment, trail connectivity, land conservation, thoughtful community engagement, coalition-building, watershed clean-up/restoration.  

Early Wins: The Clearfork Valley area is very rural and is home to many small, unincorporated places including but not limited to Morley, Duff, Clairfield, Wynn/Habersham, Eagan, and White Oak. There are no zoning or regulations, and the area has seen a large increase in ATV/ORV usage. Therefore, the RERC workshop focused on non-motorized trails and wildlife viewing. The Nature Conservancy and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency have combined forces to purchase more than 90,000 acres in the greater region – in the Clearfork Valley and KY – and are developing a non-motorized trail plan for public use and access which will be a draw for the Clearfork Valley. In July 2023, the community met and identified several abandoned mine sites for redevelopment. They have also made several important connections since the workshop, including with Bryan Hummel from EPA Region 4, to support them in their efforts of watershed restoration. A  storymap  was developed from the RERC tour in Clearfork Valley.

Seneca Nation & Salamanca, New York

The Seneca Nation focused on how to spur the tourism market of the Nation’s waterways, the diverse talents of Native artists, and the significant cultural opportunities that abound within the Seneca Nation’s Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring Territories and throughout the region. This initiative included improving bike and hiking trails, river and lake access, and connections to downtown Salamanca.  

Key Themes: Improving bike and hiking trails, river and lake access and building on their existing outdoor recreation assets like Highbanks Campground and connections to downtown; preservation/stewardship of Native culture. 

Early Wins: Have begun installation of murals downtown as a way to enhance culture and sense of place. City applied for NY Forward grant funds for Main Street revitalization efforts and has a meeting upcoming to discuss application. 

Akwesasne, New York

 The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and partners brought the Tribal community together to build on the Tribe's cultural tourism, economic development, and infrastructure strategies. Some of those developments include a new heritage center, an art gallery, and the creation of green park spaces along the St. Regis River located in downtown Akwesasne.  

Key Themes: Cultural and nature-based tourism, outdoor amenities including green space, tribal leadership and engagement.  

Early Wins: Received a grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) – Indigenous Communities Program – to hire four new positions and funding over the coming 2 years. Three full-time and one-part time have now been hired. Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Environment Committee established communications with Lance Caldwell at EPA around “areas of concern” – Lance has since visited the SRMT team as follow-up to RERC. Plans for the Skén:nen Park, Art Gallery, and Akwesasne Heritage Center along the St. Regis River are continuing to move towards implementation. Towards that end, SRMT was awarded a T-Mobile Hometown Grant for $49,428 in December 2022 to install art installations in Skén:nen Park West. Akwesasne Travel was awarded the “Excellence in Sustainable Stewardship: Champions of Change” award by the New York State Tourism Industry Association in July 2023 and Akwesasne received the 2023 “Tribal Destination of the Year” award from the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. SRMT leadership announced in October 2023 that they will fund a full-time Placemaking Coordinator position whose role will be to champion implementation of the RERC action plan items. 

Granville, New York

The village of Granville and partners planned for making connections between the multi-state Slate Valley Rail Trail and the Mettowee River with their Main Street and cultural campus. The village discussed strategies for revitalizing Granville’s Main Street, developing a distinctive brand identity, investing in outdoor recreation and supportive infrastructure, strengthening collaboration with nearby communities (including RERC peers Poultney, Vermont, and Cambridge, New York), and engaging youth in recreation and downtown efforts. 

Key Themes: River access, rail-trail development, arts and culture integration with outdoor recreation, branding and marketing, regional collaboration, youth engagement, multi-modal transportation. 

Early Wins: The RERC plan was formally adopted by the Village of Granville Board of Trustees on September 11, 2023. The Village of Granville has worked with the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board to pursue grants for Mettowee Park, rail-trail extensions, and Main Street revitalization. Village leaders held a meeting with the New York Department of Transportation to discuss alternative alignments to the rail-trail between Granville and Poultney; the Border Riders Snowmobile Club has been working with property owners and has secured permission from many for a bypass route. Community members have begun conversations with Washington County to hold bike safety classes and bike helmet programs at Granville schools. Plans for a bike rodeo in 2024 are also being made. A meeting was held with the Chamber of Commerce to introduce the RERC plan and explore partnership opportunities. A work group is actively working to develop the Granville brand. 

Claremont, New Hampshire

The City of Claremont’s Parks and Recreation and Planning and Development departments and other partners planned to connect the city’s Main Street revitalization efforts with recreation assets nearby, including local parks and forests, the riverfront, and a growing trail network. This project explored and included many recreation assets, including EPA brownfield remediation and brownfields assessment projects downtown.  

Key Themes: Brownfield remediation and assessment, transportation, main street revitalization. 

Early Wins: Claremont is working with the office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen to secure significant funding for walkways and community spaces on the Sugar River Lands brownfield site. The Northern Border Regional Commission hosted a meeting to explain funding opportunities from NBRC and the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs ($400 million available for broadband and affordable housing). Claremont is also crafting a voucher program to help underserved populations to obtain bikes and school curriculums covering bicycle repair, trail building, and trail maintenance. Nearby communities are pursuing these programs and talks have begun with the Sugar River Valley Regional Tech Center in Claremont to adopt these programs. 

Marshfield, Vermont

The Town of Marshfield and partners explored investing in existing and new outdoor recreation amenities for local residents and visitors, including the Cross Vermont Trail and other free, low-cost, and close-to-home options; increasing participation in recreation and stewardship by people of all ages, incomes, genders, races, physical abilities, recreation interests, and skill levels; expanding local business opportunities in the village; and improving village walkability.  

Key Themes: Rail-trail development, trails, access to private land, public-private land connections, inclusivity, accessibility, small business development, walkability, four-season recreation, partnership with educational institutions, community engagement.   

Early Wins: Three new members joined the local Planning Commission. The Marshfield Recreation website was improved and a calendar of events was added. Marshfield Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts formed and organized outings to bring residents together. Twinfield Union School hired a staff person to run an afterschool outing club. A $5,050 Vermont Mountain Bike Association grant and a $2,500 Northern Forest Center Community Recreation Grant were secured to develop kiosks, trail signs, and maps at Twinfield Union School. The Town was awarded technical assistance from the National Park Service (NPS) – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program to assess and map the recreation assets in Marshfield and create a signage plan (this TA is being deferred for a year because of the July 2023 floods). Trail development on the Forest Farmers parcel is proceeding. The Marshfield Planning Commission conducted a Walkability Audit of the village in order to identify areas that need improvement for safety and accessibility. On May 25, 2023, Twinfield hosted a Celebration of Community event featuring bike rides, hikes, and learning walks, made possible with support from Riders in Plainfield and Marshfield and generous grant funding from Northern Forest Center and LL Bean. The Town was also awarded a $10,000 Outdoor Recreation Roundtable grant in August 2023 to restore a 1.1-mile section of the Cross Vermont Trail that was destroyed by the July 2023 flooding.