Trails Gathering
When: 
Thursday, September 23 2021
Where:
Starr Gennett Building
101 South 1st Street,
Richmond, IN 47374
Trail advocates, managers, and enthusiasts consider joining us for the upcoming trails gathering September 23. You do not want to miss the education, excitement, and opportunities that await you. The gathering will provide trail updates from DNR, updates from the Greenways Foundation, mini sessions with hot topics you don’t want to miss and a panel discussion with city council members and park board members on “What is important when advocating for your trails and greenway systems?” And lastly, a guided bike/walk tour through three different connecting trails.
Event & Safety Updates - Updated September 20, 2021
- The Trails Gathering will be held in a building that is a former factory where the windows have been removed, making it an open-air venue. This will allow for increased air flow and a safer event. You can view photos of the building here on the Richmond, IN website.
- Attendee chairs will be distanced 6 feet apart with no tables. Each participant will receive a clipboard so they can take notes.
- Face coverings are strongly encouraged, but not required. Disposable masks will be available at the registration area for those who would like one. Hand sanitizer will also be provided.
- All food will be individually packaged. In the morning participants will have the option of muffins and bottled water, in the afternoon there will be a boxed lunch and bottled water.
- For those coming from the west, I-70 has major construction between Greenfield and Richmond. Please consider an alternative route – HWY 40 has been recommended. Address: Starr Gennett Building, 101 South 1st Street, Richmond, Indiana
- Hotel information can be found here with special trails gathering rates!
- An electronic file link to the Wayne County visitor guide
- Plan to bring your bike to ride or walk on the nearby trails after the gathering.
Agenda:
9:30AM – Check in
10:00-10:15AM – Welcome from IPRA and Richmond Mayor Dave Snow
10:15-11:00AM – Trail Updates from the Department of Natural Resources
Presented by Amy Marisavljevic and Mark Becker, IN DNR
11:00AM-11:30 AM - Updates from The Greenways Foundation and Federal Trail Funding
Presented by Mitch Barloga, President, The Greenways Foundation
11:30AM-12:00PM – Mini Session – Trail Programming
Presented by Stephanie McCurdy, Cope Environmental
12:00-12:45PM – Lunch
12:45-1:15PM – Mini Session – Trail Trends
Presented by Mitch Barloga, The Greenways Foundation and Angie Pool, Cardinal Greenway
1:30-2:30PM – Panel Discussion - What is important when advocating for your trails and greenways?
Panelists: Gary Turner VP of Richmond Common Council, Dakota Collins Richmond Parks and Recreation Board, Jane Bumbalough Richmond Council
2:30-3:00PM – Mini Session – Trail Maintenance
Presented by Angie Pool, Cardinal Greenway, Mitch Barloga, The Greenways Foundation, and Steve Abshire, Cardinal Greenway
3:05PM – Closing Announcements
3:15-5:00PM – Guided bike/walk tour
Richmond, Indiana is bursting with new trails and want to share them with you. Wayne County Cardinal Greenway Director, Brian Schleeper, will lead anyone that would like to see these up-close. The tour will go South towards the City of Richmond's Gorge Beautiful Trail then back through the historical Starr Gennett area. The tour will traverse on North through the famous Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park that boasts a Huey Helicopter in the sky, beautiful and memorable monuments for all branches of the military, M60 Tank from Howe Military Academy, and brand new connector trail that is being built. The tour will travel down the Cardinal Greenway which is the longest rail trail in the State of Indiana that spans 5 Indiana Counties. The ride will stop briefly at Springwood Lake Park, all travelers are welcome to tour on their own. Additionally, a 1 mile of trail will officially open on Sept 10th along the North End of town which is part of the National Road Heritage Trail and can be visited as well.
For Hotel Reservations or Overnight Accommodations email deniseretz@richmondindiana.gov for reduced rates. Hotel information can be found here with special trails gathering rates!
