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Saturday, 10 November 2007 |
Roll on, MLTPA, roll on
By Lara Kirkner
Mammoth Times Staff Writer
The learning curve of both the community of Mammoth Lakes and the trail consultants who were in town last weekend skyrocketed during Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access' CAMP: Summer. The weekend served as another shot of adrenaline in MLTPA's arm, as well as a way for the consultants to get to know some members of the community. It was a way for them to make sure the community thinks they are on the right track when it comes to planning a cohesive trails system for the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
The weekend consisted of inspirational speeches about accessibility, i.e. Peter Axelson at the Opening Reception, and signage and wayfinding, i.e. Jeff Corbin on Saturday evening, Nov
People in the community were able to get out into their own town and really see some of the trails that perhaps they had only heard of before.
“The greatest thing I heard this weekend was some members of my tour group saying, 'I've lived here for two years and never knew this trail was here',” exclaimed Jeff Olson of Alta Design.
Two types of tours were held, one that took participants to look at existing and missing links in the paved trails system and another that took participants for a look at existing and missing links in the natural or soft surface trails system surrounding Mammoth. They gave the community time to give feedback to the consultants in order to make sure their wants and needs are incorporated into the updated Trails Master Plan (the previous one was done in 1991). MLTPA and the consultants anticipated having a draft of this plan by May or June 2008. The plan will then have to go through an environmental assessment process.
Maintain the momentum
The key ingredient in MLTPA's efforts at this point is keeping momentum. As all those who attended CAMP weekend learned, the Town of Mammoth Lakes already has many projects lined up for the missing links in town; it's just a matter of waiting for them to kick off and get rolling. In the meantime, MLTPA is looking at short term ways to let the community know that MLTPA is working, and that real momentum and real possibilities are under way.
As Olson explained, “The mechanics are in place and now we can start getting things accomplished.”
What he meant by mechanics includes the money needed to have the consultants create the updated master plan, which continues to roll in as more developers get on board via the Developer's Forum. During the weekend, MLTPA announced that Mammoth Crossing has joined the list of five others to support MLTPA and their work. The list also includes the 1 Hotel, Sierra Star, Eagle Lodge, Main Lodge and The Sherwin.
With all the information gathering that was done last weekend, the consultants and MLTPA will now be distilling the information into usable reports, as well as preparing for CAMP: Winter, which will be held Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2008, in order to gather similar data about winter trails in Mammoth Lakes.
So how can you get involved in this process, which, as Olson stated, will ultimately “bring pure, 12-year-old joy into our lives?” Well, first of all, make a point to attend CAMP: Winter...put it on your calendar now! You can also call MLTPA at (760) 934-3154 and have them speak to your church, Rotary, user group or any other group you have in mind to find out the latest and greatest from MLTPA. Another way to get involved is visit www.mltpa.org and take the online survey. By providing input on improving trails and facilities in Mammoth, not only can participants help improve the system, but also help MLTPA meet the growing needs of the community.
If you want to improve our trails system, get on board and help keep that momentum rolling!
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 November 2007 )
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