RTP in TN Presentation given by Bob Richards with TN Trails & Greenways at the 2009 TN Mountain Bike Summit.

1. 12/15/2009 1
The RTP in Tennessee
TN Mountain Bike Alliance Summit
December 12, 2009

2. What is a Greenway?
A Greenway is:
– Linear open space established along a natural or
man- made corridor.
– Examples:
• Riverfront.
• Stream valley.
• Ridgeline.
• Or even overland along a utility or railroad corridor
converted for recreational use
Greenways for America, by Charles Little, 1990.
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3. TN River Gorge
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4. Richland Creek Greenway
Corridor
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5. Six Types of Greenways
Urban Riverside (or other body of water)
Corridors used for Non Motorized Transportation
Recreational greenways featuring paths or
trails
Ecologically significant natural corridors
Scenic and historic routes
Comprehensive linear system or
network within a city, city/county or region.
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6. Knoxville TN River Greenway
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7. Trails
Greenways and trails are not synonymous.
Trails differ in that they are primarily
pathways.
Most Greenway trails are generally
constructed of concrete and asphalt and
are used by bicyclists and pedestrians.
Trails also can have natural surfacing
such as soil or mulch.
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8. Richland Creek Greenway Trail
Surface (concrete and paved)
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9. Richland Creek Greenway
Trailhead
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10. Types of Trails
Accessible Trails Water Trails
Mountain Bike Trails Nature Trails
Equestrian Trails Hiking Trails
Walking/Fitness Trails Rails-to-Trails
Bicycle Trails Rails-with-Trails
Motorized Trails Historic Trails
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11. How to Start a Mountain Bike
Trails Project
What NOT to Do
Identify a trail project on public
property without involving
and getting approval from the
land management agency.
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12. How to Start a Mountain Bike
Trails Project (continued)
Form a coalition, committee or support group
of trail users.
Define the trail users Vision for the project
Evaluate opportunities and realities –
consider costs, political support, ownership,
scale of project, operation and maintenance.
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13. How to Start a Mountain Bike
Trails Project (continued)
Select land that is already publicly owned or
easy to acquire without opposition.
Evaluate the needs of the area/region this
project would impact.
Inventory the existing trails at this resource.
Identify who will manage and maintain
project.
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14. How to Start a Mountain Bike Trails
Project (continued)
Prepare a Concept Plan and market it to
build support and commitment from the
trail users and other stakeholders.
Seek partnerships, sponsors and grants.
If the trail is built, Market it to maximize
use.
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15. What’s Next?
New Tennessee Greenways and Trails
Marketing Plan has been created at the
direction of the TDEC Commissioner’s
Council on Greenways and Trails.
Funding through the Recreational Trails
Program has been used to develop the
following components.

16. Tennessee Greenways and
Trails Marketing Plan
Logo

17. Tennessee Greenways and
Trails Marketing Plan
Website: www.connectwithtn.com

18. Tennessee Greenways and
Trails Marketing Plan
Public Service Announcements (PSA’s)
TV – 3 30 second PSA’s
Radio – 3 30 second PSA’s

19. Using GIS
GIS – Geographic Information System
GIS can be used as a tool for many
different functions. Trail design and
layout is only one of those functions.
GIS has Zoom In and Zoom Out features
Take advantage of the information
gained from aerial photographs.

20. Greenway Trails in Tennessee

21. Using GIS

22. Using GIS

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26. Technical Assistance Resources
TDEC-Recreation Educational Services Division –
Greenways and Trails Program
National Park Service’s RTCA Program
U. S. Forest Service
Tennessee Valley Authority
TN State Parks
IMBA/SORBA volunteers
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27. Funding Opportunities
Local Park and Recreation Fund (LPRF)
TDEC administers this program on a 2 year grant
cycle to local governments. Can fund land
acquisition and recreational trail projects.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Fund
TDEC administers this program on a 2 year grant
cycle to government agencies. Can fund land
acquisition and recreational trail projects such
as equestrian, hiking, mountain biking, along
with motorized trails. Also funds trailhead
facilities like parking areas, water sources and
restrooms.
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28. Funding Opportunities
The 2010 RTP provides opportunities
to apply for funding of trail projects,
trailside and trailhead facilities.
The RTP is an 80%/20% grant to match
program.
Minimum 2010 RTP grant is $8,000
and maximum is $80,000.
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29. Funding Opportunities (continued)
Key to receiving a RTP grant is to fill
out and submit a great application.
See pages 32-33 of the 2010 RTP
manual for the needed information
and Scoring Criteria.
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30. Funding Opportunities (continued)
Mandatory items:
A. Project Summary
B. Planning Process
C. Environmental Protection/
Mitigation/Sustainability
D. Management Systems
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31. Funding Opportunities (continued)
Scoring Criteria:
A. CONNECTIONS (0-30 pts)
B. PARTNERSHIPS (0-20 pts)
C. VOLUNTEERISM (0-20 pts)
D. DIVERSE USE Trails (0-15 pts)
E. ON SITE INSPECTION (0-15 pts)
TOTAL – 100 points
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32. For more Information
Contact Bob Richards
Greenways and Trails Program Coordinator
615-532-0753
or Robert .richards@ tn.gov
Contact Mark Stanfill
TN State Parks Trails Program
615-574-5176
or Mark.stanfill@tn.gov
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