We made lots of progress in November!

November consisted of our second planning team meeting along with a walk-shop, bus tour, and mapping workshop.

Planning Team Meeting

We refined the vision and goal statements that we had brainstormed at the kick-off meeting. The final versions are:

Vision Statement: A scenic, family-friendly regional trail system that improves quality of life and attracts tourism.

Goals Statements:

• RECREATION: Offer attractive, accessible trails to expand outdoor recreational opportunities.
• HEALTH: Promote active lifestyles through safe, regional trail connections.
• TOURISM: Draw visitors to Jackson to explore our parks, history, and rural character.
• ENVIRONMENTAL: Promote environmental awareness and the beauty of nature through a physically immersive connection between town and parks.
• OUTREACH: Celebrate the benefits of trails through marketing, engagement, and education.

Bus Tour

Our study area spans many miles, so the planning team gathered in a bus to visit Robertson, Brown, and Anderson County Parks to the south and Kilen Woods State Park and Belmont County Park to the north. Participants discussed routes they enjoy biking along through the countryside and where they often see others biking.

Walk-Shop

A few planning team members ventured out in the freshly-fallen snow to use the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at the pedestrian crossing across U.S. Highway 71. Thankfully, motorists complied with the marked crosswalk and stopped for us to walk. We discussed the option of a roundabout along the highway and noted how many footprints and bike tire tracks were in the snow! The trail along the highway is clearly used year-round!

Mapping Workshop

The consultant team provided a short project overview, summary of the Active Transportation Program process, and facilitated a mapping workshop. The attendees broke into 3 groups and identified potential routes for connecting to the three county parks to the south and the state and county park to the north. They also identified the priority order for completing each connection. (photo 6 – mapping workshop)

The Planning Committee consists of representatives from the City of Jackson, County, schools, and members of the Friends of the Jackson County Trails Committee. MnDOT funded this Trail Action Plan as part of the Minnesota Active Transportation Program.

Our team met in October to kick-off our planning process. We confirmed our planning process and schedule, and discussed the principles of active transportation planning. We also did a team visioning and goal-setting activity to guide the plan. Some key themes of the activity included:

• Connect to Parks!
• Expand recreational opportunities
• Showcase outdoor amenities and natural beauty
• Attract tourism
• Improve non-motorized connections in town
• Connect to businesses
• Create a family-friendly trail route
• Promote healthy lifestyles – both physical and mental
• Attract new residents

We also identified existing engagement activities already occurring in the Jackson area and ideas for effective ways to connect with people throughout our planning process. We are currently outlining the specific events and activities we will do to engage people in Jackson. Look for more information and ways to get involved as we continue to build out our Trail Action Plan.