A new committee is forming to develop a hike, bike, and paddle plan for Clermont County. The county’s Department of Community + Economic Development (CED) is serving as lead agency for the plan.
CED invited stakeholders interested in transportation and recreation initiatives to an initial meeting at UC-Clermont on Sept. 30.
Attendees included representatives from townships, municipalities, Clermont County Parks, Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau, ODOT and bicycling and trails groups. CED experts shared initial research regarding existing trails, bike, and paddling routes, possible funding sources, planning needs and the like. They gathered feedback from attendees and discussed next steps.
The planning committee will meet during the next year. Members will discuss strengths, weaknesses and opportunities and threats as they create a plan with ultimate goals of improving the quality of life, promoting tourism, and encouraging health and wellness.
The committee aims to identify community resources for hike, bike, and paddle infrastructure, understand the gaps and unmet needs within those resources, and determine the approach to addressing those gaps and unmet needs.
Planning committee members will assist in identifying community needs, ensure appropriate outreach to the public, and work with other planning committee members to come up with goals and strategies to address the community’s hike, bike, and paddling needs.
“We’re encouraged by the interest and enthusiasm for this project,” said Scott Gafvert, Development Specialist, Community + Economic Development. “We see great possibilities, but realize that it will take a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders to move ahead. We’re headed the right direction with this first step.”
Original source can be found here.
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