Sisters (OR) Kids Go to School on a Trail

Sisters, OR (April 2007) - Sisters residents recently celebrated completion of a multi-use trail connecting the Tollgate subdivision with playing fields at Sisters High School. Built as an off-road pathway between the 400-home neighborhood and the school, the trail's $50,000 budget was realized entirely through local donations of materials and labor. The NPS Rivers , Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program worked with the Sisters Trails Committee to create a Community Trails Plan that connects area neighborhoods and the surrounding Deschutes National Forest with 140 miles of trails. Completion of the Tollgate-High School Trail was the top priority identified in the Trails Plan. The Trails Committee has also received grants from Cycle Oregon and the Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS), an award from the Deschutes County Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and a $23,000 grant from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department for trail signage. For more information, please contact Sue Abbott , NPS RTCA, at sue_abbott@nps.gov or 206-220-4116 or see www.sistersrecreation.com/sisters_trails/

Far-reaching Grants Given through 15 Mile Falls Hydroelectric Project

Connecticut River , VT /NH (March 2007) - $597,402 in grants from the Upper Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund were awarded to 11 different projects across the upper Connecticut River watershed. This is the fifth round of grant awards from the Fund, which was established under the 15 Mile Falls FERC license issued in 2002 and negotiated with support from the NPS Hydropower Assistance Program . To date a total of $3.9 million has been awarded to various conservation projects in the watershed. Among the highlights from this year's grants are:

•  $166,000 to support pre-acquisition planning and fee acquisition for a 3.5 mile riparian corridor along the Nulhegan River near Bloomfield , VT

•  $192,500 to acquire 40 acres through the Upper Valley Land Trust's Farmland Conservation Program, building upon previous protection for a total of 6400 feet of protected Connecticut River frontage

•  $18,330 to remove a dam on the Pearl Lake Brook in Lisbon , NH

•  $140,000 to protect 123 acres of Connecticut River tributary in Haverhill , NH

For more information, please contact Kevin Mendik at kevin_mendik@nps.gov or 617-223-5299.

A New, Safe Greenway Connection

Idaho Springs, CO (April 2007) - Pedestrians and bicyclists are now able to safely cross the Clear Creek Greenway at the Stanley Road interchange with Interstate 70 (shown in photo). Bert Weaver, the Clear Creek County Director of Economic Development and Greenway advocate, was instrumental in getting the project completed. “I've been working on this Greenway idea for a long time and it's good to see this kind of progress,” said Weaver. The Colorado Department of Transportation agreed to reduce the travel lane size, allowing for three and a half miles of bicycle lanes on both sides of the road. Along with the new bike lanes, a brand new 120-foot pedestrian bridge was built, and a land parcel (for a potential picnic area) was acquired by the Clear Creek Open Space Committee. The NPS Rivers , Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program provided technical and planning assistance in the development of the master plan and a marketing brochure. For more information, please contact Hugh Osborne, NPS RTCA, at hugh_osborne@nps.gov or 303-969-2781.

Community Celebrates Long-awaited Access to the Waterfront

Ceiba, PR ( April 24, 2007 ) – For the first time in 60 years, the community of Ceiba will have free access to their oceanfront, which had been under the control of the US Navy. These 140.7 acres of beachfront land, valued at $4 million, have now been assigned to the National Park Service for conveyance, at no cost, to the Municipality of Ceiba . To celebrate the transfer, the US Navy hosted a ceremony for representatives from the National Park Service, the Municipality of Ceiba , the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , and the Portal of the Future Redevelopment Authority.

Walter Chavez, Superintendent, San Juan National Historic Site, presented a ceremonial deed to the Honorable Gilberto Camacho Parrilla, Mayor of Ceiba saying, “The Federal Lands to Parks Program helps to provide better recreation opportunities and create stronger communities... It is now your park forever.” Mayor Camacho stated, “The chance to acquire undeveloped beachfront land in the heart of our community is virtually unheard of. This park…will give families the opportunity to play, relax on the beach, and enjoy local music concerts and festivals just a few minutes drive from home.” The transfer was negotiated by NPS Federal Lands to Parks (FLP) staff. For more information, please contact Bill Huie, FLP Program Manager, at bill_huie@nps.gov or 404-562-3175 or Walter Chavez, Superintendent, San Juan National Historic Site, at walter_chavez@nps.gov or 787-729-6777.

Kick-off Event Launches Interstate Water Trail

Washington Crossing, PA (April 2007) – The 220-mile-long Delaware River Water Trail was the focus of a festive riverside event at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The event celebrated the completion of the water trail guide and implementation plan and river recreation maps. Eighth grade students from FDR Middle School 's Youth Organized for Disaster Action Team ( Bristol , Pa. ) officially presented the guides and maps. Cindy Adams Dunn, with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presented the Delaware River Greenway Partnership with a check for $45,000 for continued outreach and a signage program for the water trail. Other speakers noted the river's importance as a recreation resource and source of drinking water for millions, including representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressmen Rush Holt, Christopher Carney, and Patrick Murphy; American Canoe Association; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River ; NPS Northeast Region; and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program is working with the Delaware River Water Trail Project Steering Committee, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, and communities and national parks along the Delaware River to help develop a marketing and outreach strategy and signage plan for the 22o miles of water trail. NPS Challenge Cost Share grants total about $40,000 for the project during the past four years, leveraging more than $200,000 in state, local and private funds. For more information, please contact Julie Bell, NPS RTCA, at julie_bell@nps.gov or 215-597-6473.

Upcoming Conferences: The NPS maintains a list of upcoming recreation and conservation related conferences, meetings, and training events on our website at: http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/news&events/ne_conferences.htm

In the News: Greenway gets grant for trail mapping ($10,000 to fund French River project; for the complete article go to: http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS/701160570/1008/NEWS02