Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren

The SMART mission is to partner, promote and connect a planned trail way system in southwest Michigan and adjoining areas to enhance the quality of life for all.

SMART's GOALS and OBJECTIVES:

Goal 1 - Establish and expand partnerships that aid the development and connection of trailways throughout southwest Michigan.
- Build strong public participation and awareness of the coalition's purpose and activities
- Maintain and update a list of partner organizations.
- Build capacity of existing organizations to develop trailways

Goal 2 - Link existing and future trail ways into a complete network connecting the southwest
Michigan region with neighboring networks.
- Develop a planned regional trail way system that connects people with other people, nature, water, history, culture and art.
- Encourage trailways to be safe for all users

Goal 3 - Secure resources to sustain success
- Create a vision document to communicate with potential funding sources
- Identify key funding sources and ideas (art, history, health, recreation, transportation, education, tourism, open space preservation, rivers, etc.)
- Establish long term funding strategies for maintenance of trailway network - Evaluate the need for a coordinator/staff person for the coalition
- Establish a 501 (c)3 or (c)6 status (or identify a 501(c)3 to channel grants through)
- Determine the "will of the coalition" for continuing existence - Determine sunset clause
- Establish a volunteer program

Goal 4 - Increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation for the trailways and the
benefits of trailways to their communities and their quality of life. - Develop a map of existing trailways for potential users
- Assist communities and organizations with marketing and promoting ideas and techniques
- Establish and distribute a code of ethics for trail users

March 11, 2004

For more information or to join the SMART e-mail list contact Marcy Colclough
By Phone - (269) 925-1137 x25
or
By E-mail - colcloughm@swmpc.org









Here is the newly created Southwest Michigan Bike Map. It covers the following nine counties: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. The Southwestern Michigan Commission (regional planning agency for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties) developed the map with MDOT funding and collaboration from many county and local agencies such as road commissions, park departments and bike organizations.


Map Users...

A range of non-motorized users like bicyclists, walkers, runners, skaters, and others will be able to
utilize the map to find routes that will suit their activity. Road characteristics like shoulder width and traffic volumes are represented as well as dedicated non-motorized or multi-use trails. Resources like farm markets, beaches, boat launches, campgrounds, parks, mountain biking areas and much more are also located on the map to help with determining routes and destinations.


Map Availability...

At the present time 12,000 maps have been printed. The SMART (Southwest Michigan Alliance for Recreational Trails) Task Force is distributing 9,000 of these maps to county and local agencies and locations (such as parks and planning departments, road commissions, MSU extension offices, Conservation Districts, MDNR-State Parks, visitor's bureaus & tourism offices, bike shops, bike clubs, wineries, etc). Another 3,000 maps will be available for purchase through MDOT.


Getting it on the Web...

The next step will be to have this map available on SWMC's website. The website will allow the user to zoom into an area and print the area of interest. It will also allow the user to calculate distances and utilize other useful tools. The other exciting aspect of getting the map on the web will allow for us to add more points of interest and other information to the map. Since the current printed map covers
nine counties, the amount of information that could be displayed was very limited. As an example on the website version, when the user clicks on a symbol (such as the strawberry representing a farm market), a screen would pop up stating the name, address and other information such as hours of operation. Of course, we will need help in collecting much of this information!



Trail Planning Opportunities...

SWMC will also be collecting information on planned or desired trails and add this information to the website. This will allow for the map to serve as a planning tool for local agencies, road commissions and MDOT. For example, when MDOT is planning a road improvement, they can look to this map
and see if there is a desire for a trail. If the map is kept up-to-date, it will be a great tool for identifying opportunities and building an extensive trail network in southwest Michigan and beyond! Of course, once again we will need the help of bicyclists, local governments, road commissions, parks departments, and others to keep this map up-to-date.
We Need Your Help with Future Efforts...
It's easy - get involved in SMART (Southwest Michigan Alliance for Recreational Trails).
The SMART mission is to partner, promote and connect a planned trailway system in southwest Michigan and adjoining areas to enhance the quality of life for all.
Call Marcy Colclough at 269-925-1137 x25 or e-mail colcloughm@swmpc.org to be added to the e-mail list so that you will be notified of upcoming meetings, workshops and activities related to trails in SW Michigan.