Join the Coalition Supporting S. 4673
Courtesy of National Special Districts Coalition
This vital legislation makes it possible for special districts in local communities to access essential funding for water, parks, infrastructure, fire, and other vital community services.
Led by NSDC, the bill was approved with wide bipartisan support by the full House on May 6, 2024 and if passed in the Senate and signed by the President, would establish a first-ever, formal definition of “special district” in federal law.
For more information:
https://www.nationalspecialdistricts.org/support-the-special-district-grant-accessibility-act-s-4673
Sensing the Trail
Courtesy of American Trails
By Arwen Brenneman
The internet of things (IoT) shines most in the management and analysis of large systems. Simple data, aggregated often, becomes a powerful tool. In the world of trail and park maintenance and upkeep, IoT systems offer myriad just-in-time benefits to managers and field teams.
Levaware systems can be set up at river or ocean side, allowing crews to arrive before or during flood conditions. Alerts can be set to text and email people when surface levels rise above a tolerance. Alternatively (or in addition to), alerts can be sent if there’s a high rate of change.
With Levaware monitoring, the trash and recycling bins themselves can alert a team coordinator when they’re nearing capacity. Crews can be dispatched in the irregular intervals are necessary to keep things clean without resorting to hyper-vigilance that uses work time that would be better allocated to other projects.
As this is a developing suite of products, we are always interested in new uses. If you have a problem this could help solve, please reach out and we’ll see what we can do.
Read more:
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/sensing-the-trail
Polaris Creates First-of-its-Kind Electric Off-Road Vehicle Charging Network Partners in Michigan
Courtesy of American Trails
MICHIGAN - Polaris Inc.is receiving a $700,000 grant to help build an EV charging network for off-road vehicles within a public off-road trail system in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The grant is through the Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification’s (OFME) new program, the Mobility Public-Private Partnership & Programming (MP4) Grant. Polaris will also equip its first Polaris Adventures Outfitter with a rental fleet of its all-new RANGER XP Kinetic.
Polaris is leveraging electric technology to build electric powersports offerings that deliver leading performance capabilities and an unparalleled experience for riders. From acceleration and control, to quieter operations and zero emissions, there are many benefits to electric powertrain technology. Polaris is focused on testing electric prototypes broadly across its product platforms and will commercialize purposefully where electrification improves the customer experience.
Read more:
https://www.polaris.com/en-us/news/company/polaris-creates-first-of-its-kind-electric-off-road-vehicle-charging-network-partners-in-michigan/
Niobrara National Scenic River - America’s First Quiet Trail
Courtesy of American Trails
NEBRASKA - The Niobrara National Scenic River is designated as America’s First Quiet Trail. This designation culminated in a two-year process that included paddling the full length of the Niobrara to collect qualitative and quantitative acoustic data. Niobrara National Scenic Trail became the second Quiet Trail in the world, preceded in 2022 only by Cuifeng Lake Circular Trail in Taiwan.
“Quiet is rare globally, as 97% of the U.S. population faces noise pollution from sources like aviation and highways. Destinations where one can experience the pure sounds of nature are becoming increasingly scarce, so we are thrilled to be able to offer this at Niobrara National Scenic River,” stated Superintendent Susan Cook.
Read more:
https://www.quietparks.org/niobrara-national-scenic-river-americas-first-quiet-trail
San Benito, California is the first county in California to pass a new "low impact camping areas" ordinance
Courtesy of SORP
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last month to approve a new, accessible and clear permitting pathway for landowners to host small-scale camping. This policy expands access to camping and the outdoors throughout the county and near Pinnacles National Park, and creates income diversification opportunities for rural landowners and ranchers.
Read more:
https://benitolink.com/supervisors-come-through-for-rural-property-owners/
Decarbonization and the Role of Local Park Agencies
Courtesy of NRPA
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP
By prioritizing decarbonization, park agencies fulfill their role as environmental stewards, protect public health, and enhance climate resilience. Reducing carbon emissions helps mitigate climate change, improve air quality, protect public health, and conserve biodiversity. Additionally, sustainable practices can lower operational costs, set a positive example for the community, and align with policy and funding opportunities. Through decarbonization, park agencies can help to safeguard natural environments and ensure a sustainable future.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/decarbonization-and-the-role-of-local-park-agencies/
2024 Outdoor Participation Trends: A Record 175.8 Million People Got Outside in 2023
Courtesy of SORP
The Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation's most anticipated report of the year is here. For the first time, more than half of American women are participating in outdoor recreation, and members of the LGBTQ+ community continue to be the most active adult cohort in the outdoors. Explore the high level trends shaping the industry.
Read more:
https://oia.outdoorindustry.org/research/2024-outdoor-participation-trends-report-executive-summary
Data bikes chart the condition of bike paths
Courtesy of Route 50
By Daniel C. Vock
Many communities have started using “data bikes” to monitor the quality of their local bike network. Local planning organizations have deployed them in Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Alaska might be next, if it can secure a federal grant to purchase the specially outfitted bicycles, which are connected to an iPhone with an app that monitors the smoothness of the pavement. The cargo bikes are also outfitted with a GoPro camera in the front and a 360-degree camera on a pole overhead to collect images for sites like Google Maps.
Read more:
https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2024/07/rough-ride-data-bikes-chart-condition-bike-paths-more-cities/397981/
Watch the Greater & Greener General Session Recordings
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance
Greater & Greener 2024 in Seattle, WA was a tremendous success, bringing together over 1,200 industry professionals, thought leaders, and innovators from across the world to the heart of the Pacific Northwest where they cultivated strategies and tools on how to use parks to build more sustainable, vibrant, and equitable cities.
View here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY0Bo3Z6u14NTrwKHjsGcJIBf3dxuhmcB&si=frU2QJTaH7UQVdYL
LA County Summer Youth Employment Program Empowering Thousands With Career Opportunities
Courtesy of Planetizen
By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched the annual Youth@Work program, offering up to 10,000 paid employment opportunities to local youth aged 14 to 24. The program connects marginalized and underserved youth with 160 hours of paid work experience in various high-growth sectors such as healthcare, information technology, hospitality, and public services. Since July 2023, Youth@Work has placed over 6,400 youth in positions across the county, generating $13.2 million in wages.
Collaborations such as the Puente Hills Park Project led by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) demonstrate the diverse opportunities Youth@Work provides. Participants from local high schools gain insights into landscape architecture, design, urban planning, and ecology under professional mentorship.
Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/07/130257-la-county-summer-youth-employment-program-empowering-thousands-career
Voices for Vaccines - Clinic Toolkit
The toolkit is for those who would like to host a vaccination clinic in their community. It outlines the steps to host a vaccination clinic, such as identifying your target audience, selecting a vaccination provider, and providing examples of how to promote. We know that the way to improve vaccination rates is to meet people where they are by bringing vaccines to those who may have obstacles accessing them. Our Hosting a Vaccination Clinic Toolkit can help you ensure your community members receive the vaccines they need.
Please join us at our toolkit launch webinar on August 1 at 12:00 pm (Eastern)
Register here:
https://taskforce-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsdemgqzstGd1opZtwC_Le5qScYmGsy8g6#/registration
Read more:
https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/
